2011 NFL Mock Draft: Filling the Needs of the Dallas Cowboys in 2011

The 2011 NFL Draft is still about four months away so that gives us about 134 days to speculate on how your favorite team will draft next year. The Dallas Cowboys are in need of assistance on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Then again, aren’t all teams? The offensive line in Big D has been a lingering issue for years, and this season will probably force Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to finally do something about it.

There is the uncertainty of the secondary as well. This season has proved that the ‘Boys have major problems in the defensive backfield. Corner Terrance Newman is getting older and is often injured, and Mike Jenkins isn’t who we thought he was, which was a Pro Bowler. So what should Dallas do to fix their myriad of issues?

Here are six players the Cowboys should draft come April.

Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Cornerback Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver T.J. Moe #28 of the Missouri Tigers during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln

More than likely, Prince will not fall this far to the Cowboys, but just in case he does, Jerry should snag him. Amukamara has nice size, 6’1", 205 pounds and scared the courage out of just about every quarterback he faced this season.

He had no picks but was considered one of the nation’s only shut down corners. He’s physical enough to tussle with Terrell Owens and will add a great level of depth to a struggling Dallas secondary.

Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Marcus Cannon #61, Kyle Dooley #72 and Alonzo Adams #81 of the TCU Horned Frogs raise the Mountain West Regular Season Championship trophy at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronal

Cannon is a big boy, 6’5" and 361 pounds.

Early reports suggest that Cannon will be moved to interior lineman in the NFL because of his versatility and size. Cowboys starting guard Kyle Kosier is 32 and has an expiring contract. Cannon is bigger, younger and seems to be a better athlete.

Pierre Allen, DE, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NB - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive end Pierre Allen #95 of the Nebraska Cornuskers brings down running back Kyle Minett #30 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Lin

Once Marcus Spears takes off the pads against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, that will probably be the last time we see Spears as a Cowboy.

Spears has never lived up to his first-round pick billing, but he’s been durable and dependable. Nevertheless, I don’t see him back in Dallas, and Jerry will probably look to replace him with someone more explosive. That’s where Pierre Allen comes in. He’s 265 pounds and stands at 6’4". Allen is leaner and quicker than Spears and would cause issue to many a qb in the NFC East.

TeJay Johnson, S, TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Max Hall #15 of the BYU Cougars dives for a touchdown against Tejay Johnson #3 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the third quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 16, 2008 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Mar

Johnson runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and he’s 6’1". Again, Dallas has issues in the defensive backfield, and their experiments with Alan Ball and Orlando Scandrick haven’t quite worked out. Tejay will add needed size, speed and a little youth.

Lee Ziemba, OT, Auburn

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Offensive lineman Lee Ziemba #73 of the Auburn Tigers watches play against the Northwestern Wildcats in the Outback Bowl January 1, 2010 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Ziemba’s stock could rise if the Tigers win the National Title, and he performs well at the combine.

But as of right now, his projection is the sixth round, and he would be a steal for Dallas. Lee is a beast as far as size goes as he stands at 6’8" and 310 pounds. One huge drawback about Lee is his penchant for drawing penalty flags.

The Cowboys have had issues in the past with players would attracted the color yellow, and Lee has drawn his fair share. Still, if he’s still there, Ziemba has too much potential for the Cowboys to pass up.

Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs past Liloa Nobriga #48 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-

In my opinion, Helu won’t fall this far because he has too much upside.

He’s not a speedster as he runs the 40 in just 4.63 seconds, but he’s big and the Cowboys need another bruiser. Marion Barber won’t be back next year, and the Cowboys don’t have a barbarian-type of back to replace him.

Say hello to Helu!