Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: Post-Combine, Pre-Free Agency Edition

The NFL scouting combine wrapped up its week-long football frenzy, and based on the results of the event, the landscape of mock drafts and analysis will take on a whole new look. 

I still feel you need to factor in the college football season and not just the combine as a decision making tool, but with blazing forty times and all the measurables that come with the combine, certain prospects will undoubtedly sky rocket up the draft board. 

It happens every year, and it's what makes the offseason exciting for football fans. 

The free agent rumor mill is also buzzing rapidly, and the Cowboys are certainly one of the teams at the core of the action. Recent reports have them targeting Brandon Carr and Cortland Finnegan. As a fan, this is great news, as it shows the commitment and urgency in fixing the obvious gaping holes in the Cowboys' secondary. 

However, Jerry Jones still has to realize that they are not just limited at cornerback. But with some degree of financial flexibility, I like the initial strategy to target corner with either both or one of these players. 

For this mock draft, I don't see drastic changes, but I do see a shift of focus at targeting an offensive lineman earlier than in my previous one. It appears the commitment to cornerback, which will cost significant money, will preclude the Cowboys from signing Carl Nicks. 

Let's highlight the prospects in this mock draft installation.

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

I haven't changed my stance on taking a cornerback in the first round even though it appears the Cowboys will target a corner in free agency. 

With Newman, Walker and potentially Ball departing, the Cowboys have more than one corner position to fill. This team simply needs to develop another young corner with the cover skills and athletic ability of Jenkins.  

As in my previous mock, I can live with Kirkpatrick at this point or if a dominating pass rusher fell to No. 14, but I'm sticking with Jenkins. He stood up at the combine and answered questions dealing with his past issues, and although the due diligence process isn't over yet, the Cowboys really need to finally fix a problem in the secondary that dates back to more than a few years. 

The sight of Victor Cruz taking a five-yard out for a gazillion yard touchdown and Hakeem Nicks streaking through our secondary untouched still haunts me to this day. There will be proponents wanting to draft DeCastro at this stage, but Jenkins is too good to pass up.

Round 2, Pick No. 45, Kelechi Osmele, G, Iowa St.

Since it appears that cornerback will be dealt with in free agency, and assuming that Carl Nicks doesn't land in Dallas, offensive line becomes a priority barring any free agent activity. 

Osmele is a mammoth 6'5", 330-pound guard prospect who is versatile enough to play tackle as well. I went back and watched the Iowa St. upset of Oklahoma State and came away impressed with his play for a man of that size. 

He displayed quick feet, good mobility and was really impressive blocking out in space while opening up running lanes. He really mixed it up and competed hard every snap while helping maintain good depth of the pocket. 

My previous selection in an earlier mock was Brandon Thompson from Clemson, but now it appears offensive line has shifted the focus.

Round 3, Pick No. 82, Markelle Martin, S, Okla St.

No change on this pick from my previous mock. 

I've said all along how much I love Martin as a safety prospect, and the Cowboys simply can't put a band-aid on this position anymore. Barring an attempt to land Michael Huff or Laron Landry, the depth and talent at this position is in dire need of an upgrade. 

With Sensabaugh locked up for several years and possibly Abe Elam returning, the rest of the group features players like Danny McCray, Barry Church and Mana Silva.

It's just not good enough. 

Martin is an athletic 6'1" safety with great athleticism and ball skills who's not afraid to lay the lumber. I'm not saying he's the next Darren Woodson, but the Cowboys need some long-term hope at this position.

Round 4, Pick No. 113, Billy Wynn, DE, Boise St.

Previously I had Trumaine Johnson from Montana at this spot, but his stock seems to be rising, and he will not be here. Factor that in with the premise that the Cowboys will pursue a veteran cornerback in free agency, and they will select Jenkins or Kirkpatrick in round one, so I shifted my focus to defensive end. 

Billy Wynn is a powerful pass rusher who stands 6'4" and is 295 pounds. Looking back at some Boise State highlights, you can see a high motor prospect who competes hard every snap. He attacks offensive linemen hard at the point of attack and really uses his lower half well. 

The particular game I watched was the 2011 bowl victory against Arizona State in which he had two sacks and was a disruptive force in the backfield. He would be utilized as a 3-4 end with the Cowboys, and we could use some quality players at that position.

Round 5, Pick No. 144, Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas

Previously I had Joe Adams slotted as their fifth-round pick, but there is just too much uncertainty surrounding the Anthony Spencer situation and a lack of depth inside. 

Whether they bring Spencer back or not, linebacker is a definite need for this team, and Acho's athleticism is what makes him attractive 

He posted a 4.73 forty-yard dash time at the combine, and teaming him up with Sean Lee and Bruce Carter would give Dallas a solid young nucleus at inside linebacker. He would bring great versatility to Rob Ryan's scheme, as he could maximize his open field tackling ability, blitzing and coverage skills.

This would be a tremendous value pick at this point. At 6'2" and 245 pounds, he could add some mass to his frame, which would make him even better. 

Round 6, Pick No. 175, David Molk, C, Michigan

After watching him perform at the combine, I had to go watch some Michigan games.

This guy is intense, plain and simple. He plays bigger than his 6'1", 290-pound frame suggests, and he has great lateral movement, reads protections well and brings that element of a mean streak that I see lacking in Phil Costa. There were times where I saw him get a little overwhelmed at the point of attack, but those were isolated incidences. 

The Cowboys need nastiness and grit and he certainly brings that to the table. He was a four-year starter at Michigan, with a ton of starts under his belt. I see him coming in and pushing Costa for playing time right away. I previously had Philip Blake, another center, at this point, but he appears to be moving up. 

Blake is versatile enough to play guard, but I see Molk as a true center, an intriguing prospect who could bolster our interior line greatly. I don't want to jump on him as a combine riser, but if you watched him play this past season, his body of work speaks for itself.

Round 7, Pick No. 205, Robert Blanton, CB, Notre Dame

Unable to get Trumaine Johnson earlier, the Cowboys cap off their final pick with this 6'0", 197-pound cornerback. Previously I had Tank Carder slotted here, but I couldn't resist a corner who doesn't shy away from contact. 

He brings an aggressive, physical style that will serve the Cowboys well as they revamp the secondary. I saw some footage of him where he absolutely blew up a screen pass, and he provides great run support. He brings a solid fundamental skill set and would provide an upgrade over Frank Walker and Alan Ball. 

He doesn't possess top end speed, which I noticed hurt him at times when he didn't have safety help (particularly the Michigan game), but he made up for it with solid play in zone coverage. He's a good value at this stage of the draft.

With the combine just completed and free agency about to commence, the landscape of mock drafts will continue to change before our eyes. For now, let's digest the combine and the free agency rumors as we watch them unfold. Hopefully, the Cowboys will do the same with their draft board and give the fans what we deserve—a strong draft.