NFL Draft 2011: Dallas Cowboys Seven Round Mock Draft 3.0

I know that anyone that follows NFL offseason activities is waiting for the April 6 courtroom hearing in Minnesota.

How that meeting turns out will likely affect not only the draft and free agency, but also the regular season as well.

In the meantime, I've put together another mock draft.

The draft, after all, is the only concrete offseason event left to speculate about. There are changes throughout, since I like to consider different draft day possibilities from mock to mock.

Anyway, enjoy my take on the Cowboys' possible draft choices.

Round 1: Tyron Smith, OT USC

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans throws a pass as Tyron Smith #70 blocks Jesse Feagin #98 of the Washington State Cougars during the second quarter of the college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial C

Okay, I'll bend on this pick a little bit.

In my last mock I had Anthony Castonzo here, and I still think he's the better pick, but Smith has been shooting up draft boards because of his athleticism.

My major concern with him is his inexperience. However, I did hear that he bulked up somewhat for his pro day, which is a good thing.

I like Castonzo better because his technique is much more polished at this point.

That being said, I do think that Smith is the more athletically gifted of the two, but I have to wonder how long it will take him to transition to an NFL tackle.

If I had to guess, I would say that Smith is probably the pick just because of his upside, but I think it will take him some time to contribute.

What's more, either one of these tackles will probably be available in the middle of the first round, so trading down is a good idea.

Round 2: Phil Taylor, DT Baylor

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 07: Defensive tackle Phil Taylor #11 of the Baylor Bears in action during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I had Rahim Moore here in my previous mock, but getting a prospect like Taylor in the second round would be too good to pass up.

He probably won't be here since his stock has risen since the combine, and it always helps if you're the only true 3-4 nose tackle in the draft.

Taylor has had problems with his weight, which is reported to have gotten as high as 380 pounds, but he has slimmed down since then.

He is a monster of of a man that could wreck offensive lines at the next level.

Rob Ryan has said that Jay Ratliff will be the starting nose tackle next season and the Cowboys like Josh Brent, but don't rule out the possibility of Dallas drafting Taylor if he's there.

Round 3: Quinton Carter, FS Oklahoma

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 06: Quinton Carter #20 of the Oklahoma Sooners breaks up a pass intended for Jeremy Maclin #9 of the Missouri Tigers during the Big 12 Championship on December 6, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ja

The Cowboys might be better off getting a safety in free agency, but it's a dice roll because of the lockout.

That being said, because I don't ever want to see Alan Ball starting at free safety again, I have the Cowboys making sure they get a replacement in Quinton Carter.

He was a disruptive force for the Sooners in 2010, picking off four passes and registering the most tackles by a DB since 2002.

He ran a 4.57 at the combine, which isn't exactly game-breaking speed. It might even turn some teams away. However, if you watch his game film, you can see he has excellent closing speed and instincts.

Round 4: Pierre Allen, DE Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers tries to avoid defensive end Pierre Allen #95 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

I had Allen here in my last mock as well. No matter how the labor uncertainty shakes out, defensive end is a must in this draft. Three of the Cowboys' DEs are set to hit free agency.

Allen played in the shadow of Ndamakong Suh for most of his career but is still a good talent. With the Cowboys' depth at the position, he might be in the starting lineup from day one.

Round 5: Keith Williams, OG Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 04: Head Coach Bo Pelini of the Nebraska Cornhuskers talks with Keith Williams #68 during a break in second half action of their game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Lincoln, Neb

Williams is an excellent run blocker who paved the way for a Nebraska team that led the Big 12 in rushing. He could add depth to a Cowboys line that needs some new blood.

Williams earned all Big 12 honorable mention in 2010, and could develop into a physical force in the Cowboys interior line.

Round 6: Jeron Johnson, SS Boise State

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Tight end Joe Halahuni #87 of the Oregon State Beavers is tackled by safety Jeron Johnson #23 of the Boise State Broncos at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Johnson is a good athlete who specializes in bone-jarring hits.

He could be a force on special teams and might eventually work his way into the starting lineup. He isn't the best cover guy but he can flat-out level people.

With Gerald Sensabaugh's future with the Cowboys uncertain, they should pick up Johnson.

Round 7: Noel Devine, RB West Virginia

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers avoids a tackle by Brandon Taylor #15 of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Mou

I had Devine here in my last mock because I like his speed.

I've heard that in the lower rounds of the draft, speed becomes a determining factor.

Well, speed is something Noel Devine has. He recently ran a 4.3 at West Virginia's pro day.

He can also return kickoffs and would make a great addition to the Cowboys backfield if they part ways with Marion Barber.

Round 7: Aldrick Robinson, WR SMU

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 24: Wide receiver Aldrick Robinson #24 of the SMU Mustangs is tackled by Greg McCoy #7 of the TCU Horned Frogs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 24, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Cowboys recently received a compensatory seventh round draft pick.

In the seventh round, there are all kinds of directions to go. I think they should take Aldrick Robinson.

Robinson finished in the top 10 in receiving in the NCAA last year, with 1301 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has great speed and could make a good slot receiver.