2011 NFL Mock Draft: 10 Prospects Jason Garrett Will Target For The Cowboys

Not many Cowboys fans, or players for that matter, thought that the Cowboys would be sitting at home right now. The Super Bowl will be played in Jerry World in Dallas and a countless number of pundits picked the ‘Boys to make it to the NFL’s biggest game in February: The Super Bowl.

However Dallas failed to live up to expectations, fired its coach, and finished the season at 6-10.

Now Dallas has an opportunity to improve its team via the draft as the team has the ninth pick.

But what position should the Cowboys tackle? Should Dallas draft an offensive lineman in an effort to replace Leonard Davis or Marc Colombo? Maybe they should go after a cornerback after the secondary played so bad this past season. Either way, Dallas has a lot of work to do this off-season.

Here are 10 players new Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett should target for the Cowboys.

Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers misses a chance at an interception from Scotty McKnight #21 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Neb

Depending on which mock draft you research Prince is project as high as 3^rd or as low as 10^th. Some believe that Prince’s abilities and potential are a better fit for the NFL than LSU’s Patrick Peterson and this is one fan who would not disagree. I like Prince’s upside and the Cowboys are in desperate need of help in the secondary.

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers warms up before taking on the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C.

I love defensive tackles because I used to be one back in my pee-wee days, but Fairley’s performance last night was Suh like. Don’t get me wrong, he’s knocking on Suh’s door but he’s not in the homey’s league yet, but Fairley may have just catapulted himself into the number one spot with the way he dominated Oregon’s line in that championship game. If he falls the Cowboys have no choice but to pick him.

Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

With Luck going back to Stanford it seems as if the Panthers will have to choose between Fairley and Bowers but if either drop the ‘Boys are ready to scoop. Dallas doesn’t have a dominant pass rusher on the line and Bowers could be the one to add that missing element to the Cowboys defense.

Marcus Cannon, OG, 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

This is my second mock for the Cowboys and Cannon is still the second pick for the Cowboys. 361 pounds and he stands at 6’5”. Of course that doesn’t mean much in today’s NFL but he’s quick enough to help protect against the NFL’s fast defensive lineman.

Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 13: Jayron Hosley #20 of the Virginia Tech Hokies makes an interception as teammate Rashad Carmichael #21 watches on with Dwight Jones #83 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 13, 2010

The knock on Carmichael is his lack of technique and that his height may be of issue in the NFL. But according to scouting reports he doesn’t shy away from tackling and has a nice pair of hands on him. If Jenkins can get his act together next season Carmichael may be a great replacement for an aging Terrance Newman.

Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 7: Marvin Austin #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up before the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

If this names sounds familiar it’s because Austin got into a little trouble after dealings with an agent and was suspended for the entire 2010 season. But Austin is a freaking monster on the line and we can only imagine the type of damage he would have done this year if he would have made it to the field.

Ahmad Black, CB, Florida

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 30: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs attempts to catch a pass against Ahmad Black #35 of the Florida Gators during the game at EverBank Field on October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Ima

Black was scouted by the Cowboys this season and with his play in the Outback Bowl against Penn State I’m sure he’s still on the ‘Boys radar. Black runs an average 40 at 4.51 but has excellent ball skills and great instincts. He’s projected 3^rd and if he’s still there when Dallas goes to pick it’ll be interesting to see if they pull the trigger.

Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert #76 of the Florida Gators takes a breather during a stoppage in play against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. Florida defeate

Another player the Cowboys have scouted as they try to find players to improve the offensive line. Gilbert is 320 and 6’5,” so he has the prototypical size. But will his college talent translate over to the NFL?

Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack fumbles the ball after being hit by Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Ph

Mark’s story is one of inspiration, simple as that. If you’ve never heard of this young then I urge you to google him. I’m sure every NFL team has sent a scout to take a look at this guy due to his fight and pure ambition. He has one of those motors that never stops and plus he has the size to play linebacker. Just seems like a born leader and the Cowboys could use that in the locker room.

Lee Ziemba, OT, Auburn

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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)

I like Ziemba because of his size. He stands at 6’6” and weighs 320 pounds. Simply put, he’s a beast of a man. Auburn didn’t play the cleanest game against Oregon and Cam Newton was pretty banged up afterwards, but still, Ziemba should do well in the NFL if he’s mean enough.