Dallas Cowboys 2012 Mock Draft: Scouting Prospects for Every Pick

1 of 9

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The NFL combine starts on Feb. 22, and the Cowboys have plenty of good, young talent to scout. The team has the 14th pick in the first round, and so far, I’ve seen cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Dre Kirkpatrick go to Dallas. I ventured out in one of my mocks to say that Dallas would pick Nebraska corner Alfonzo Dennard.

Won’t make that mistake again.

At any rate, Dallas obviously needs help in the defensive backfield. Whether its Jenkins, Kirkpatrick or Dennard, Dallas has their pick of good players to choose from.

For all seven rounds, here are a number of players the Cowboys should scout while in Indy for the combine.

1st Round Scouting Prospects

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Cornerbacks: Dre Kirkpatrick, Janoris Jenkins, Alfonzo Dennard

I think the Cowboys would be best served if they chose Kirkpatrick. Of course, that is contingent upon him falling that far to the Cowboys, but if he does, Dallas will gain a potential lockdown corner.

Jenkins is the likely choice here due to his strong performance in the Senior Bowl. He's not as physical as Kirkpatrick, but he's worth the pick.

Dennard is the last of the three, as he doesn't really fit in the Cowboys scheme.

2nd Round Scouting Prosepcts

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Offensive Guard: Kelechi Osemele

Defensive Tackle: Alameda Ta’amu

The Cowboys have a few choices in the second round. If they go with secondary in the first round, do they automatically take an offensive lineman in the second?

I've seen a few mocks that have Dallas going offensive tackle in the first round, and maybe inside linebacker. The team's first-round pick will determine where they go in the second round.

I like Ta'amu because he's a 3-4 defensive tackle and can take over at nose for Jay Ratliff. He's 335 pounds and has great quickness off the ball. Dallas should look his way come draft time.

3rd Round Scouting Prospects

Elsa/Getty Images

Defensive End: Kendall Reyes

Defensive Tackle: Hebron Fangupo

Offensive Guard: Kevin Zeitler

If the Cowboys wait until the third or fourth round to pick an inside linebacker, it may tick a few fans off.

They lack depth at the position and would do themselves a favor to choose one early on. If they don't, I say stick with beefing up the defensive line or adding size and depth to the offensive line.

4th Round Scouting Prospects

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Inside Linebacker: Audie Cole

Center: Ben Jones

Strong Safety: Harrison Smith

Center: Mike Brewster

I say the Cowboys should take a defensive route in the middle round. Harrison Smith would be a great choice here, but it is again dependent upon how the Cowboys draft in their earlier rounds.

I also like Audie Cole here and maybe, just maybe, center Ben Jones.

5th Round Scouting Prospects

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Inside Linebacker: James-Michael Johnson

Running Back: LaMichael James

Offensive Guard: Lucas Nix

I'm still stuck on LaMichael James for the Cowboys. He may be small, but he's quick and he's tough. Not sure how much longer the Felix Jones experiment in Dallas will work.

Johnson is also a 3-4 inside linebacker, and if Dallas decides to wait until the fifth round to address this position, he is a good selection.

6th Round Scouting Prospects

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Quarterback: Case Keenum

Inside Linebacker: Jerry Franklin

Offensive Guard: Will Blackwell

I like Keenum to the Cowboys in the sixth round. It is not likely to happen, as the Cowboys will probably elect to pick another type of quarterback.

Another inside linebacker option is Jerry Franklin, and Dallas is always, I repeat, always, in need of offensive line help. That is where Mr. Blackwell comes in.