NFL Draft 2012: Predicting Dallas Cowboys' Full 7-Round Draft

The 2011 NFL season didn't end the way Dallas Cowboys fans would have hoped, but the team was essentially in a transition mode and will be looking to add more pieces in the 2012 NFL Draft to help bring Dallas back to the Super Bowl.

There are at least 20 players on the current roster that find themselves with expiring contracts according to the Dallas Cowboys official website, meaning there is room for new rookies to come in and take the place of some under-performing talent and perhaps shine through next season.

Here's a complete mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys, projecting all seven picks for America's Team.

Round 1: Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina

South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore may be just a junior, but he has excelled during his time with the Gamecocks and the Dallas Cowboys would love to get their hands on the talented defensive back.

As highlighted last Sunday night against the New York Giants, the Cowboys have had trouble in the secondary with Terence Newman showing his age plenty of times this season and Mike Jenkins constantly injured through out 2011.

Newman still has three years left on his deal, but after his performance this season, it wouldn't be surprising to see Big D either cut or restructure his deal, so they can make room for a young playmaker like Gilmore.

Round 2: Brandon Washington, Offensive Guard, Miami (FL)

The Cowboys' other huge hole this season was inconsistency play from a ragtag group on offensive line, which is why they'll look to Miami Hurricanes offensive guard Brandon Washington in the second round.

Washington is exactly what Dallas usually looks for in their O-line, he's 320 pounds with a 6'4" frame that can prove to be extremely difficult for defenders to maneuver around.

The Cowboys received less than stellar play at left guard between Derrick Dockery and Montre Holland which could be where Dallas might put him unless they wish to move back to the left side and have Washington step in to play right guard.

Either way, Dallas will be getting a guard that may already be better than what they currently have on the roster.

Round 3: Nigel Bradham, Outside Linebacker, Florida State

Going back to that point about the 20 expiring contracts for the Cowboys, three of those players happen to be linebackers Anthony Spencer, Keith Brooking and Bradie James.

NFLDraftScout.com has Florida State outside linebacker Nigel Bradham ranked as the 11th best at his position, and Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller has recently projected him to be available in the mid to late third round.

Bradham ranked 11th overall in the SEC with 98 tackles and posted five sacks for a FSU team who boasted the third best sack total in the country.

Round 4: Kendall Reyes, Defensive End, Connecticut

If there's one thing defensive coordinators love, it's a versatile player, and that's exactly what UConn's Kendall Reyes is.

Reyes can play both defensive end and defensive tackle, giving Dallas some much needed depth for Jay Ratliff at DT and possibly a replacement for Kenyon Coleman or Jason Hatcher at DE.

Coleman and Hatcher are decent players and could very well beat out Reyes in training camp, but at the very least, the Connecticut player would be an improvement over their backups Sean Lissemore and Marcus Spears.

Round 5: Mychal Kendricks, Inside Linebacker, California

Cal inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks has the injury flag as he's coming off a recent shoulder injury, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be a nice pick by the Cowboys in the fifth round.

At this point in the draft, Dallas will be looking to gamble a bit more as any team is, and when you could be on the verge of losing three linebackers from your 2011 team, why not draft another in Kendricks?

He was named to the second team All-Pac-10 squad in 2010 along with a conference-leading three fumble recoveries that season. When you're in the last three rounds of the draft, Kendricks is a fine option if the scouts are saying good things about his shoulder recovery.

Round 6: Keith Tandy, Cornerback, West Virginia

West Virginia cornerback Keith Tandy has played the position for only as many years as he's been in college, but he's been a quick learner.

Tandy became a full-time starter for the Mountaineers in 2009 and never looked back, posting a stat line of 61 tackles, four interceptions and seven batted balls the following season and was then named to the All-Big East team in 2010.

Tandy is in the sixth round for a reason, but this round of the draft has produced gems like Tom Brady, so why not take the chance on the WV man.

Round 7: Matt Daniels, Strong Safety, Duke

While Duke maybe known more for basketball than any other sports program, that hasn't stopped Matt Daniels from trying to impress the NFL scouts.

The Cowboys' contract with Abram Elam will be expired, and while defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will most likely look to resign his strong safety, Barry Church and Alan Ball aren't the best of options at backup.

Both are more cornerbacks than they are safeties, and with Daniels in the fold for Dallas, the team can at least focus on using their other two players at their No. 1 positions and let Daniels focus on backing up Elam.