Very Early 2013 Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft

No, I am not saying this season is over.

It's just a lot of fun to start guessing who will be available for the Cowboys in 2013.  We have a pretty good idea of what the team’s weaknesses are at this point.

Please keep in mind that player values are consistently changing at this point and so is my top 200.  So stick with me as I put these articles out every few weeks.

I intend to provide you guys with some good analysis through the season and leading up to the draft.  The mission is that no Cowboys fan will be able to claim ignorance when the draft comes.

I’ll be giving you scouting reports, mock drafts and prospect trends as often as I can as long as they pertain to a potential link to the Cowboys.

So without further ado… 

Round 1, Pick 18: Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama

Player Profile:

6’6", 312 pounds

Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, Center

Prospect Rank:

Prospect No. 15 on my big board

Overview:

Jones is a versatile offensive lineman who has blocked for first-round rushers Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson.

Jones projects as a guard who can also play center.   Some of even said that Jones could be a very effective OT at the next level. 

What makes Jones so effective is his combination of speed and strength.  Jones runs the 40-yard dash with a sub 5.0 time.  He has a very good center of gravity and always keeps players in front of him.

Jones would be an immediate starter for a Cowboys line that is porous.  His versatility makes him a shoe-in if he’s available.  Even if the Cowboys were to make some news in free agency, Jones would still be better than anyone on the line right now besides Tyron Smith.

If the Cowboys Pick Higher:

I’d really like to see the Cowboys make a run at Georgia DE/OLB Jarvis Jones.  Jones is currently the No. 1 prospect on some boards.  I think that Jones is an Anthony Spencer-type linebacker who can rush the passer effectively.  Jones is a game changer and can really improve the Cowboys defense.  It is unlikely the Cowboys can nab this defensive juggernaut though.

Other prospects that would be worth looking at would be: S Eric Reid of LSU, OLB Barkevious Mingo of LSU, and DE Jackson Jeffcoat of Texas.

If Cowboys Pick Lower:

If the Cowboys pick lower or Jones isn’t available, a prospect to keep an eye on would be Ricky Wagner of Wisconsin.  Wagner is a big lineman who is trending up.  He is 6’6" and 320 lbs.  Wisconsin consistently churns out big, nasty linemen who play with a mean streak.  Wagner embodies that stereotype.

Other prospects that would be worth looking at would be:  OT D.J. Fluker of Alabama, DE William Gholston of Michigan State, QB Tyler Bray of Tennessee, and S T.J. McDonald of USC.

Round 2, Pick 50: Johnathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia

Player Profile:

6’3", 351 pounds

Defensive Tackle (fits all defensive schemes)

Prospect Rank:

Prospect No. 44 on my big board

Overview:

Really not too much to say about Jenkins; he is a big, fast, nasty defensive lineman.  Jenkins is disruptive as both a run-stopper and a pass-rusher. 

Jenkins’ size allows him to fill gaps.  He has to improve his technique and pass rush moves but he is still strong as an ox and can push people around with relative ease.

With Ratliff aging and injury-prone, plus a real lack of depth at defensive tackle, Jenkins is a very attractive choice.  He could anchor a defensive line on a defense that is going through a very successful youth movement.

If the Cowboys Pick Higher:

I think the Cowboys are in position to take a quarterback.  Either Landry Jones or Logan Thomas would be a good choice to develop behind Romo.  Jones would require a scheme change in the future, and I think that warrants some thought.  Still, he’s a strong-armed quarterback who reminds me of Ryan Mallet.

Other choices available are: DE Jesse Williams of Alabama, OLB Alex Okafor of Texas, S Robert Lester of Alabama and TE Joseph Fauria of UCLA.

If the Cowboys Pick Lower:

I like USC center Khaled Holmes.  He is a maturing center who is consistent in his play.  We all know that the Cowboys could use some consistency at center.

Other choices available are: WR Tavon Austin of West Virginia, C Travis Swanson of Arkansas, OLB Gerald Hodges of Penn State. 

Round 3, Pick 82: Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia

Player Profile:

6’1", 212 pounds

Balanced Quarterback

Prospect Rank:

Prospect No. 87 on my big board

Overview:

Murray has grown tremendously since his freshman season.  He has good arm strength and excellent accuracy.  One thing that really attracts me to Murray’s game is that he senses pressure well and can make plays on his feet.

Murray is a quarterback who has a game similar to Romo’s.  Drafting him would give him time to hone his craft by studying behind a quarterback who has a similar skill set and wouldn’t ask the Cowboys to come up with a new offensive scheme.

If the Cowboys Pick Higher:

Prospects to watch are: S Tony Jefferson of Oklahoma, OG Travis Frederick of Wisconsin and OT Brennan Williams of North Carolina.

If the Cowboys Pick Lower:

Prospects to watch are: DE William Campbell of Michigan,  TE Michael Williams of Alabama, and DE Baker Steinkuhler of Nebraska.

Round 4, Pick 114: Graham Pocic, C, Illinois

Prospect Profile:

6’5", 308 pounds

Offensive Center

Prospect Rank:

Prospect No. 105 on my big board

Overview:

Much like last year, the Cowboys will have an opportunity to draft a center that has a higher grade than his draft day status will be.  This time though they’ll pull the trigger.  It’s no mystery that the Cowboys are weak at center and I expect that this will be a big draft pick.

Pocic is a big, physical, athletic center.  He has a good frame and should be able to put on more size.  There are a lot of things I like about Pocic as far as an impact run-blocker.  He’ll have to improve his strength and technique but he could come in and be the best center on this team.

If the Cowboys Pick Higher:

I think this has to be the pick considering prospect rank, potential and need.

If the Cowboys Pick Lower:

Prospects available are: C Mario Benavides of Louisville, TE Philip Lutzenkirchen of Auburn, OLB Jaime Collins of Southern Mississippi and OT Seantrel Richardson of Miami.

Round 5, Pick 146: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

Prospect Profile:

6’6", 246 pounds

3-4 Outside Linebacker

Prospect Rank:

Prospect No. 153 on my Big Board

Overview:

The Cowboys need some depth at outside linebacker.  Anthony Spencer is a free agent and Victor Butler isn’t a long-term solution.  Jordan offers the Cowboys an exceptional project player with awesome size.

Jordan is a violent, high-motor player who is very athletic.  He is not an overwhelming run defender but seems to have a knack for getting to the quarterback.  He could immediately contribute as a pass-rusher on the Cowboys defense.

If the Cowboys Pick Higher:

Prospects to watch are: OG Omoregie Uzzi of Georgia Tech and C Braxston Cave of Notre Dame.

If the Cowboys Pick Lower:

I think that Jordan will be available throughout the rest of the round and should be a very solid pick for the Cowboys to consider. 

Round 6, Pick 178: D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina

Prospect Profile:

5’11", 208 pounds

Balanced Safety

Prospect Rank:

Prospect No. 176 on my Big Board

Overview:

Swearinger isn’t a great safety prospect.  He has a average skills but is a versatile athlete who has a good balance of size and speed.  He could contribute on special teams in a role similar to that of Danny McCray or Keith Davis.

Swearinger is a above average in press coverage and has the ability to cover both tight ends and wide receivers.  He could offer good depth to a squad that is obviously lacking.

If the Cowboys Pick Higher:

Prospects to watch are: S Duke Williams of Nevada, DT Brandon Williams of Missouri Southern and TE Jake Stoneburner of Ohio State.

If the Cowboys Pick Lower:

Prospects to watch are: WR Markus Wheaton of Oregon State and CB Branden Smith of Georgia.

Round 7, Pick 210: Blaize Foltz, OG, Texas Christian

Prospect Profile:

6’4", 310 pounds

Offensive Guard

Prospect Rank:

Prospect No. 199 on my big board

Overview:

The Cowboys need help with offensive line depth, especially in the interior.  Foltz is a big strong lineman who could overpower a lot of interior defensive linemen.  He has a lot to sharpen in his game.  He is a consistent pass-blocker who doesn’t allow many sacks and has led the way for a decent TCU rushing attack.

Foltz could be the steal of this draft.  A team should draft him with the intention of making him a project player with extremely high upside.

If the Cowboys Pick Higher:

Foltz has already dropped significantly lower than his true value.  He should be nabbed at any point in this round.

If the Cowboys Pick Lower:

There are so many additional prospects that it would be hard to really name them all.  For the sake of you, readers, and myself I will not list all the other potential candidates.