Dallas Cowboys 2012 Mock Draft: What Experts Around the Web Are Saying

The Dallas Cowboys are a little over a month away from selecting 14th in the 2012 NFL Draft and possibly changing the fortune of their franchise. Dallas needs help on defense, specifically in the secondary and at inside linebacker. There is also aid needed on the offensive line and at tight end.

But which direction will Dallas head in? Will they go cornerback or guard in the first round? Maybe its linebacker or defensive end?

For every so-called expert, not including the one typing this article, each one may have a different pick for Dallas. The Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller believes the Cowboys will go with South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and I think the team will choose Alabama corner Dre Kirkpatrick. Neither may be correct, but prognostication is not an exact art.

Before we take off down the runway of justification, let's take a look at what some are saying about Dallas's draft choices for the first two rounds.

1st Round: ESPN.com Mel Kiper (Mark Barron, S, Alabama)

Mel Kiper’s last mock was posted on February 15^th. I would post a link, but the draft can only be seen if you have an ESPN insiders account.

At any rate, I am fairly certain that Kiper’s pick for Dallas will change when his next mock is posted. Barron has injury concerns and may slide down toward the bottom of the first round.

I believe that the Cowboys need to keep their focus on cornerback and not reach for a safety in the first round. 

1st Round: ESPN.com Todd McShay (Janoris Jenkins, CB, Alabama)

Todd McShay thinks that the Cowboys will pick former Florida Gator Janoris Jenkins with this pick.

"

“Corner is a top need area, and Jenkins proved at the Senior Bowl that he's still an elite cover corner after spending a year at the Division II level. Dallas will need to get comfortable with his character issues, though, including legal issues that led to his dismissal from the Florida program.”

"

I think his character issues may be to much for the Cowboys to overlook. As Matt Miller pointed out in his last mock, Jenkins has multiple arrests and four kids under the age of three. He seems to lack discipline and focus, something the Cowboys seems to be deficient in as a team. 

1st Round: NFL.com Bucky Brooks (Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama)

Ahhh, now this is a pick that I can get with Mr. Brooks. Dre is 6’2” and 186 pounds. He has the needed size to match-up with most NFL receivers, but lacks the speed. He ran a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash and will struggle if he’s in man and is pasted off the line.

The great thing about Kirkpatrick is that according to Jonathan Bales of the New York Times, he is the best zone corner to come out of the draft in years. Pick your poison, Dallas Cowboys.

1st Round: FoxSports Peter Schrager (Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama)

So we have an agreement between a couple of writers on one specific player. Kirkpatrick is a beastly type of guy, well, that may be a stretch, but you get my point.

He’s young, has a great body, physical, and has all the right tools to make a great NFL cornerback. Dallas should snap him if he’s at 14, and I believe they will.

"

“Will that be enough for some teams to get over the incident? For many teams, maybe not. For the Cowboys? Sure. A six-foot cornerback with top-flight speed (think Patrick Peterson speed), Kirkpatrick is the rare tall cornerback who can keep up with the game’s fastest receivers (think Patrick Peterson).”

"

2nd Round: WalterFootball.com (Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson)

This pick isn't that far off, as team owner Jerry Jones has stated that finding a pass rusher is a top priority for Dallas.

My only reservation is that Branch is a natural linebacker and now that the team has franchised linebacker Anthony Spencer, I think that picking an outside linebacker this early is a wasted pick.

2nd Round: Drafttek.com (Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia)

Drafttek.com has Dallas going inside linebacker and cornerback in the first two rounds. Minnifield is pretty good in press according to Drafttek and knows how to hang on to the ball.

I think that these picks may be reversed when the actual draft happens, but it is a good enough college try. Minnifield is good, but I still believe Dallas will go with Kirkpatrick in the 1^st round.