Dallas Cowboys 2012 Mock Draft: 7 Round Predictions Volume 1

As Super Bowl Sunday is here I still find myself thinking: What if Tony Romo had connected with Miles Austin for that would be touchdown against the Giants? 

Would the Cowboys have been able to win a home playoff game and then pull off two road victories against fierce NFC foes? 

Would just a home playoff game and victory against Atlanta be enough to satisfy the ravenous appetites of Cowboys fans? 

I don't have the answer to either of those questions but I know which way I'm leaning.  All I know is I've found myself steadily increasing my intake of Zantac when I think about what could've been. 

So what do Cowboys fans do?  

We immerse ourselves in analysis, articles, television, anything we can to keep our pulse on the team and most importantly, mock drafts.  We simply can't get enough mock drafts but it's what Cowboys fans live for.  

I'm basing volume one of my mock draft on a few caveats.  For now I'm going on the notion that Carl Nicks arrives in Dallas via free agency and the Cowboys are able to bring back Spencer, Robinson and a second tier veteran cornerback.  It seems like a tall order but let's go with the fact that Jerry Jones promised change and aggressiveness this offseason.  Let's look at volume one of my mock draft.    

Round 1, Pick No. 14: Janoris Jenkins, CB, N. Alabama 

The Cowboys absolutely need to come out of this draft with multiple corners.  There are character issues with Jenkins but the growing consensus seems to be picking up steam with this pick.  The former Florida Gator had a stellar Senior Bowl week and the Cowboys have taken notice.  At 5' 10" 185 pounds he's not the biggest corner but he packs a punch, is athletically gifted and is versatile enough to be effective in man or zone. 

His skill as a punt returner is also a plus but his true value to this team would be as a fluid cover corner who can simply make plays on the ball.  Dre' Kirkpatrick could still be in play with this pick but for now not much is known about his latest off-field incident.  Corner is a must in round one and the value meets the pick. 

Round 2, Pick No. 45: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

Brandon Thompson is a 6'2", 310 pound classic run stopper but also excels as a pass rusher due to his quick burst out of his stance.  Although probably attractive to more 4-3 teams he would still be a great fit in Rob Ryan's scheme as he would allow the Cowboys to be more creative with Jay Ratliff. 

I watched some of his play against West Virginia in their bowl game and he really pursues the ball relentlessly.  He plays with a lot of energy, is quick laterally and would really have the chance to be a major contributor in 2012 in the defensive line rotation.  He would also be able to push Josh Brent and create competition throughout the whole defensive line. 

Round 3, Pick No. 82: Markelle Martin, FS, Oklahoma St.

I really like Martin as a NFL prospect and stated so in a previous article.  The Cowboys really have a need for a young, physical safety prospect and Martin fits the profile.  At 6'1", 198 pounds Martin is an aggressive defender, instinctive and can deliver a hit.  He can also cover and patrol the back end with great athleticism. 

I watched some of the bowl game against Stanford and he had a number of big hits and also made some great plays on the ball.  A lot of people like Mark Barron better, but I feel like he had more surrounding talent on that Alabama defense.  The Cowboys really need to land a true safety prospect that can help contain the pass happy offenses that exist in the NFL today.  Our secondary is probably the biggest reason why we're watching the Giants in the Super Bowl.

Round 4, Pick No. 113: Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana

The Cowboys continue their run on defense by taking the 6'2" 205 pound corner in round four.  I am very high on this prospect and mentioned it in a previous article in my "Fixing the Cowboys" series.  I have watched more than a few Montana games this year and he would provide the Cowboys with a tough, physical corner who can press and match up physically with bigger receivers. 

From the games I've watched he was left in a lot of one-on-one situations which is a testament to his size and cover ability.  Rob Ryan would be able to do more in his scheme and feel more comfortable with bringing pressures.  To come out of this draft by adding Jenkins, Martin and Johnson to the secondary would be a major coup for the Cowboys.   

Round 5, Pick No. 144: Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

Another reference to my previous article (I'm a big believer in consistency) and this 5'11", 182 pound receiver is someone Jerry Jones is familiar with.  As a Tennessee Vols fan I've watched a ton of SEC football and Joe Adams consistently makes highlight reels.  The keywords here are playmaking ability.  Outstanding speed, quickness and elusiveness are words that come to my mind. His skills as a kick returner arguably made him the best return man in college football. 

He's kind of overshadowed a little by Jarius Wright but Adams would be a perfect fit as a number four or five receiver and may finally give us something in the return game.  For this mock draft I'm going on the premise that Laurent Robinson will be back so this is not a replacement for him.  However, with Holley, Harris, Radway and Holmes as the other receivers in the rotation battle that list is about as appealing to me as eating goose liver.  Can we really have enough weapons?  I think not. 

Round 6, Pick No. 175: Philip Blake, C, Baylor

Philip Blake is a 6'3" 320 pound center who is also versatile enough to play guard.  He would be a great fit in the Cowboys quest to help solidify their offensive line.  Blake started every game his last two years and was integral in opening holes for Terrance Ganaway and protecting RG3 while at Baylor. 

He has good size for an interior lineman and plays with good strength.  Keep in mind this is contingent on Dallas signing Carl Nicks.  I still believe that Arkin, Nagy, Costa and Kowalski will be in the mix in the offensive line battle and that Jones and Garrett aren't giving up on any of them.  Furthermore, I feel that's the reason Bill Callahan was brought in along with his history of developing and working with young offensive lineman. 

Round 7, Pick No. 205: Tank Carder, LB, TCU

The Cowboys wrap up their 2012 draft by selecting this 6'2" 235 pound linebacker from TCU.  He is a precision tackling machine and plays with tremendous intensity.  This pick right here would be a late-round steal and I had him targeted in my previous article as well. 

He pursues running backs fearlessly and while he has some weakness in his coverage ability he makes up for it with intangibles.  He would provide depth as an inside backer with the departures of Brooking and James. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft Season

The mock drafts will continue to pour in at an alarming rate as rankings, free agency and the combine alter the landscape right up until the first pick of the draft. Let's hope the Cowboys are there every step of the way and one step ahead of the curve in filling one need at a time.