NFC East Draft: 5 Mid-Round Cornerbacks Dallas Cowboys Should Target

The Dallas Cowboys' search for a cornerback could take them to the mid rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. A deep cornerback class affords Dallas the luxury of using their first-round selection on a defensive lineman or Alabama safety Mark Barron.

Many mock drafts, including those at NFL.com, now list Barron as the prospective choice for the Cowboys with the 14th overall pick. However, the need for an extra cover corner still exists. Rob Ryan's heavy blitz schemes demand multiple corners who can handle single coverage responsibilities.

Despite adding Brandon Carr in free agency, the Cowboys' work is far from done in this area. The mid rounds contain tremendous value at the corner position.

Second-round prospects like the talented but troubled Trumaine Johnson, or Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard could tempt the Cowboys into taking a chance. If not, the likes of Coryell Judie and Iowa's Shaun Prater may be too good to pass up on day three.

Here are the five best mid-round cornerbacks the Cowboys should seriously consider adding via the draft. 

1. Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

Dennard is likely to slip into the second round on draft day and his rough and tumble style could appeal to a Cowboys secondary looking to get more physical on the perimeter.

The 5'10", 204-pounder is a tenacious and aggressive corner, who is at his best in press and bump and run techniques. The major drawback to Dennard is that he does not possess impressive fluidity and movement skills.

While he has above average closing quickness, the former Nebraska standout lacks true vertical speed and range. These factors make Dennard suspect in off technique, man coverage.

However, his ability to maul receivers at the line and disrupt routes before they can truly develop could make him useful as third corner in Ryan's system.

2. Trumaine Johnson, Montana

Trumaine Johnson has first-round talent and is a true sleeper pick in this draft. An outstanding athlete who plays with a physical style, Johnson would be great value for the Cowboys in the second round.

Johnson's draft stock dropped due to some off-field concerns, including an October arrest for obstruction and disorderly conduct. There was also the perception that he faced only average competition while at Montana. However, Johnson offers a rare combination of size and range that will prove useful against modern NFL wideouts.

At 6'2" and 204 pounds, Johnson can match up well with big and physical pass catchers. Less a press coverage expert and more of an off-coverage corner, Johnson plays with excellent footwork and anticipation.

He offers the kind of ball hawking skills the Cowboys have been missing at cornerback and is disciplined enough in deep coverage to limit some of the big plays the secondary surrendered last season.

3. Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma

Jamell Fleming is an intriguing prospect for the Cowboys to consider. He mostly operated in a zone-based system at the collegiate level. However, Fleming has the size and press technique to transition well to Ryan's defense.

The 5'11", 206 pounder's greatest asset is his closing speed. He is able to break on the ball with alarming quickness and could be a turnover machine with the right coaching. Fleming will take chances and that could be a positive or a negative under Ryan.

The Sooners star utilizes exceptional hands technique and is able to knock receivers off their stride early on in a pass pattern. He is also a tenacious tackler and a useful blitzer, something that would certainly appeal to Ryan.

Where Fleming is limited is in the lack of legitimate vertical speed and a poor range of movement. This makes it difficult for Fleming to track and stay with receivers in deep coverage.

However, he does have the attributes to become a valuable and versatile nickelback in the right defense. Fleming is said to have recently visited the Cowboys and they could make him a smart third-round pick.

4. Coryell Judie, Texas A&M

Coryell Judie offers tremendous playmaking skills on the edge and could be the kind of ball hawk the Cowboys need to capitalize on the pressure generated by DeMarcus Ware.

Judie is blessed with excellent balance and footwork. He uses his hands well and is a smart cover man. At 6'0" and 194 pounds, Judie offers only decent size.

Another concern would be the hamstring injury that kept him out for half a season and he has also had shoulder issues. When healthy though, Judie is an exceptional athlete and a big play specialist who is a threat to score whenever he gets his hands on the ball.

Those kind of skills make Judie worth a risk with a fifth-round pick.

5. Shaun Prater, Iowa

Iowa's Shaun Prater has the speed that could help solve some of the issues the Cowboys have faced when their secondary is stretched vertically.

Prater is a flexible cover ace, comfortable in both man and zone-based schemes. He utilizes a violent hands technique and can run with any receiver in the open field.

Prater is also a willing and determined tackler, something particularly useful in 3-4 defenses, which often use corners as force players in run support. As a fourth- or fifth-round pick, Prater offers tremendous upside to the Cowboys' defensive backfield.

The Cowboys Cannot Afford To Ignore the Cornerback Position in This Draft

Playing a blitz happy system in a pass-first league means the Cowboys need all the quality corners they can get. Particularly in the NFC East where they face quarterbacks like Eli Manning and Michael Vick and receivers such as Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and DeSean Jackson.

With the Washington Redskins adding Pierre Garcon and possibly Robert Griffin III to the mix, the Cowboys secondary can expect to face a lot more work again this season. Despite the acquisition of Carr and a possible new deal for Mike Jenkins, the Dallas defense still needs reinforcements at cornerback.

The corners on this list have the skill set to quickly contribute. They represent good enough value to allow the Cowboys to wait until the mid rounds and still strengthen a vital area of need.