Dallas Cowboys 2012 Mock Draft: Grading Picks from the B/R Community Mock Draft

The Dallas Cowboys are just a couple of weeks away from the NFL draft and choosing the next franchise-changing player. Well, maybe. We are all privy to the issues facing this team and we have our own ideas as to how to fix those problems.

The secondary represents an area of concern and some believe Dallas should select Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. Others, like Mel Kiper, believe that Dallas should roll with Alabama safety Mark Barron. Some believe offensive line, some say defensive line and some tick toward a linebacker.

No matter which side of the fence we stand on, the fact that Dallas has so many issues to address via the draft is concerning. It's also idealistic because it may represent new opportunity for the Cowboys.

But we can sit and pontificate about the team's problems until we are all blue and silver in the face. How we come to a conclusion, and maybe a general consensus, is by participating in the lovely art of the mock draft. The Bleacher Report community has a brand new one available for us to review and that we shall do.

Here is the latest B/R mock draft and my grades for each Cowboys pick.

1st Round: 8th Pick (From Miami) Michael Brockers, DT, LSU—B

I like the ambition of this pick because the Cowboys traded up with Miami to the eighth slot to choose Brockers.

Brockers is bigger than current Dallas nose tackle Jay Ratliff, Brockers is 322 pounds compared to Ratliff’s 287, and would add strength and size to a soft part of the Cowboys line. But it would be a wild stretch for the Cowboys to move up so high to take a defensive lineman who the Cowboys may not want.

Cowboys Vice President Stephen Jones has made it clear (via ESPN) that Ratliff is the team’s nose tackle and there are no plans to move him to a permanent defensive end position.

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“I still see Ratliff as our starting nose tackle," Jones said. "Will he see action out there [at defensive end]? I mean you never totally rule it out, but right now we still see him as our nose.”

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He’s also projected to play end in the NFL and does not have much football experience.

If Dallas is interested in moving up to grab a player, my hope is that it would be for a Morris Claiborne. My B grade is for ambition and guts.

2nd Round: 44th Pick (From Kansas City) Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska—C-

Dennard does not inspire enthusiasm. He's only 5'10" and according to scouting reports he's not durable with average speed.

Dennard seems like nothing short of a consolation prize of a bad draft strategy. It would be good for depth reasons, but he has bad hands and will often be beat deep by speedy receivers. If this is the team's only option, then I say pull the trigger. I will also view this as a reach pick.

4th Round: 115th Pick Nigel Bradham, LB, FSU—B+

I really like this pick because Bradham has the potential to be a fantastic NFL linebacker. He has good speed and athleticism and an ability to shut down plays pretty quickly. But he needs to improve his tackling ability and leverage.

Bradham could probably start right away, but I would rather see Dallas go after an inside linebacker in the fourth round. If Bradham is there, then I say take him. He can blitz well, is durable and has a high ceiling.

5th Round: 154th Pick Phillip Thomas, FS, Syracuse—C-

Thomas is an interesting selection here because he is a good tackler and likes to strike for the big hit. He reminds me of an undersized Roy Williams but without the big-hit ability.

Thomas has coverage concerns and does not have the speed to recover if he's beat deep. He has some character concerns as he was suspended for violating team policy, something the Cowboys have to look into.

Dallas needs a safety and he's a body to fill a need. But I believe they should keep looking.

6th Round: 188th Pick, Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor—D

Let me start by saying this: I like Ganaway and believe that he'll be a decent NFL running back. I just do not believe he'll do it for the Dallas Cowboys. Going by this mock, the Cowboys still haven't addressed the offensive line or tight end position.

Running back isn't a position of concern and the Cowboys currently have three very capable men running the ball for them.

Ganaway will be a project, as he cannot read defenses and will rely on intangibles to run the ball. Dallas should look elsewhere.

7th Round: 225th Pick, Matt Daniels, SS, Duke—D-

Daniels has great speed, ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash, but he may go undrafted. But my concern is that the Cowboys would go an entire seven rounds without selecting an offensive lineman.

The Cowboys still need a guard and possibly a center and neither position was addressed in this mock. I digress as I'll move back to Daniels.

A project with speed and inconstancy. He'll need work and the Cowboys aren't looking for a nickel safety.