Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions

Before we get too lathered up for this weekend's championship games and who will win the Super Bowl let's talk a little National Football League draft, shall we?

The Dallas Cowboys have issues in the defensive backfield and it is as evident as Keith Richard's age. Anybody?

Anyway the Cowboys need new players and new talent in the secondary and it starts with a certain player from the University of Alabama.

Here is my updated seven-round mock draft for the 'Boys.

1st Round: Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

I like Kirkpatrick because he can get physical. Dallas needs that because while Mike Jenkins is a good player he's not durable and not physical. Kirkpatrick seems to be sound in his technique and will serve the Cowboys well if he's drafted by them.

The bad part about this is that Kirkpatrick may go way before the 14th pick and if so the Cowboys may be forced to go offensive line again. But Dallas is in desperate need of help back there and starting with Dre is a wonderful way to begin a youth movement.

2nd Round: Brandon Washington, Guard, Miami

Dallas is in the process of piecing together a new offensive line and it started last season when the team drafted tackle Tyron Smith.

It will continue this offseason as Dallas may take Washington out of Miami. He's 320 pounds with nice height and good movement in his hips. I wouldn't mind seeing him in Dallas blue next year.

3rd Round: Harrison Smith, Strong Safety, Notre Dame

Abe Elam shouldn't be back in 2012 and if he is the Cowboys should still look for a new strong safety.

Smith picked off seven balls in 2010 and seems to have a good pair of hands on him. He's athletic and physical and with the type of aggressive scheme Rob Ryan likes to run Smith should fit right in.

4th Round: LaDarius Green, TE, Louisiana Lafayette

With tight end Martellus Bennett likely on his way out, the Cowboys need another receiving tight end. He stands at 6'6" and has decent speed but great hands.

If he's split out he can do well in space for a big guy and he should be close to money in the red zone. The Cowboys struggled in that area last season and adding a guy like Green may help them in the long run.

5th Round: Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor

Depending on how the offseason goes for Ganaway, he may rise higher than the fifth round. He was down at Baylor with Robert Griffin III and may benefit from his great season.

Ganaway is 240 pounds and has OK speed for a guy his size. I think that Dallas may need a bruising-type of runner to counter Jones and Murray, and Ganaway may fit the bill.

6th Round: Tahir Whitehead, LB, Temple

There is just something about this cat that I can really dig. Dallas needs to get younger at linebacker and Whitehead is able to rush the passer as he totaled five sacks in 2011.

7th Round: Mike Daniels, Defensive Tackle, Iowa

Dallas needs help on the defensive line and Daniels can rush the passer and stop the run.

He is a little light, as he weighs 280 pounds, and stands a little over 6' tall. The only downfall with this pick would be keeping Ratliff at the nose and having an even smaller defensive end. May not work well, but I think Daniels is worth a look.