2011 NFL Mock Draft: Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Dream and Realistic 2011 Mock Draft

The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2010 NFL season with Super Bowl ambitions, but one Wade Phillips firing and Tony Romo injury later, the Cowboys' season ended as an utter failure.

For how poorly the Cowboys played, they actually don't have that many holes to fill this offseason.  It's easy to imagine them back in the postseason if they can just fill a few major holes on a roster packed with big names.

Here is a 2011 Dallas Cowboys mock draft with a dream and realistic selection: 

Dream 1st Round: Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU)

Analysis: 

Patrick Peterson is the most talented player in the draft, and he fills the Cowboys' most pressing need. He's the best cornerback prospect to enter the draft in the past decade and has often been compared to Charles Woodson.

Peterson separated himself from the rest of the field at the NFL combine, where he ran a blazing 4.32 40-yard dash while measuring in at 6'0", 219 pounds.  With his size and speed, a ceiling of how good he can be is non-existent.

Chance He's Still On the Board: Zero percent

There's no way Peterson falls all the way to number nine, but there's a good possibility he falls to the five, six or seven spot.  If he drops that far, trading up isn't out of the question.  A future second- and/or third-round pick may be worth giving up for a can't-miss prospect like Peterson.

Realistic 1st Round: Prince Amukamara (CB, Nebraska)

Analysis:

Patrick Peterson may be the best cornerback prospect to come out in years, but Prince Amukamara may be the second best.  He would be the No. 1 cornerback prospect in any other draft class.

Not many drafts feature two legitimate shutdown cornerback prospects, so the Cowboys are fortunate that in the one year that there are two, they need a cornerback badly.

Chance He's Still On the Board: 85 percent

If Patrick Peterson doesn't get selected by Bills at No. 3, then he'll fall to at least to the Cardinals at No. 5.  There are multiple front-seven prospects that should be ahead of Amukamara on the Browns' draft board.  

The 49ers need a quarterback and pass rusher so badly that if Blaine Gabbert or Robert Quinn are there, Amukamara would be surprise selection.

Prince Amukamara should be there at No. 9 for the Cowboys.

Dream 2nd Round: Rahim Moore (FS, UCLA)

Analysis:

How nice would it be to add the best safety in the 2011 draft class in the second round?  Granted, it's a weak draft class at the position, but Rahim Moore is an instant upgrade to Alan Ball.

Moore didn't produce this season, but in his junior year, he showed his incredible ball hawk potential, posting 11 interceptions.

Chance He's Still On the Board: 45 percent

Realistic Round 2: Aaron Williams (FS, Texas)

Analysis: 

Aaron Williams played cornerback in college, but some believe it would be his best bet to move to free safety in the NFL after running a 4.52 40-yard dash at the combine.

Williams is known for being a playmaker to begin with.  So, the Cowboys would add a playmaking free safety with the coverage ability of a cornerback—good deal.

Chance He's Still On the Board: 80 percent

Dream 3rd Round: Marcus Cannon (OT, TCU)

Analysis: 

Marc Colombo should be replaced.  The need is so big they could easily look for a tackle higher in the draft.

Marcus Cannon is a monster at 6'6", 349 pounds, and because of that, many don't believe he can play offensive tackle at the next level.  He's very athletic for a man that size, though, running a 5.2 at the combine.  

Cannon has also been mentioned as one of the physical freaks of the draft, not just because of his size, but his combination of size and athleticism.

It's a dream pick, and in this dream, Marcus Cannon can play right tackle.

Chance He's Still On the Board: Five percent

Realistic 3rd Round: Joseph Barksdale (OT, LSU)

Analysis:

Joseph Barksdale was once a first-round prospect, but injuries and inconsistent play have hurt his draft stock.  

Like Marcus Cannon, Barksdale is also athletic for a man his size.  He stands at 6'5", 325, which may seem like nothing after seeing how big Cannon is, but compared to other linemen in the draft class, Barksdale is still huge.

Chance He's Still On the Board: 80 percent

Dream 4th Round: Javaris Jenkins (DE, Clemson)

Analysis:

Igor Olshansky should be replaced at defensive end this offseason.  

Javaris Jenkins is a versatile prospect who can play in a 3-4 and 4-3 defense.  He's yet another great athlete to make this list.

At 6'4", 310 pounds, he ran a 4.98 in the 40-yard dash.    

Chance He's Still On the Board: Five percent

Realistic 4th Round: Lawrence Guy (DE, Arizona St.)

Analysis:

A more likely replacement for Olshansky, but with the same great measurables.  Lawrence Guy is 6'4", 305 pounds and ran a 4.95 at the NFL combine.

Guy would most likely have to be a part of a rotation to start out and then eventually take over the starting spot.

Chance He's Still On the Board: 50 percent

Dream 5th Round: DeMarcus Love (G, Arkansas)

Analysis:

Kyle Kosier is 32 years old and he's a free agent.  Even if he doesn't leave, the Cowboys could use some guard help.

DeMarcus Love was once a first-round prospect based off of potential, but his stock has since plummeted.  His technique is so bad he'll be forced to move from offensive tackle to guard in the NFL.

Despite his struggles, he still has a ton of potential at an athletic 6'4", 315 pounds.

Chance He's Still On the Board: 10 percent

Realistic 5th Round: Lee Ziemba (OG, Auburn)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - JANUARY 07: Offensive tackle Lee Ziemba #73 of the Auburn Tigers speaks during Media Day for the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn on January 7, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Pet

Analysis:

Lee Ziemba played offensive tackle at Auburn, but after posting a 40 time of 5.47 at the combine and 5.44 at his pro day, he may have to slide over to guard.

Ziemba has great potential with his 6'6" frame.  He was given the Jacobs Blocking Trophy this past season awarded to the SEC's best offensive lineman.

Chance He's Still On the Board: 90 percent

Dream 6th Round: Jeremy Kerley (WR, TCU)

Analysis:

Roy Williams will most likely be cut this offseason.  If so, the Cowboys will need to find a slot receiver.  

Jeremy Kerley is explosive with the ball in his hands.  He actually only ran a 4.59 at the combine and his pro day, but he's quicker than he is fast.

After you watch the video, it'll be impossible to deny his playmaking ability.

Chance He's Still On the Board: 25 percent

Realistic 6th Round: Cedric Thornton (DE, Southern Arkansas)

Analysis: 

If Jeremy Kerley, Ronald Johnson, or Cecil Shorts don't fall to the sixth round, the Cowboys should probably just fill the receiver position through free agency and add defensive line depth.

Cedric Thornton dominated opposing offenses in college.  Of course, he played for Southern Arkansas against Division II competition.

He may have attended to a small school, but he has an NFL frame at 6'3", 309 pounds.

Chance He's Still On the Board: 50 percent

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.