NFL Draft 2011: Best Case Seven Round Draft Scenario for the Dallas Cowboys

Your local Dallas Cowboys are due to draft a set of players that may take them to the playoffs and maybe beyond, like say the Super Bowl.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his crew will have an array of players to choose from with the ninth pick in the first round of this year’s selection parade. The squad has needs help in the secondary, offensive and defensive lines, linebacker, and etc… But what will they do? Will they go with the Prince or is there another J.J. headed to the squad?

Let’s mock!

1st Round: Tyron Smith, OT USC

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 7: Tyron Smith #70 of the USC Trojans stretches before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 7, 2009 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. USC won 14-9. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

Cornerback Prince Amukamara out of Nebraska was pretty much locked in to this spot about a month ago but my how things change with time. Smith is raw but with so much size and height its kind of hard to pass this behemoth of a man up. The Cowboys biggest need is on the offensive line. While secondary is a big concern, the O-line has been an issue for years. Smith can help to tighten up the team’s weakest spot.

2nd Round: Quinton Carter, FS Oklahoma

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Quinton Carter #12 of Oklahoma works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Alan Ball didn’t work out at free safety, so that means you have to go and draft a new player to replace him right? Well have I got a deal for you! Speedy free safety Quinton Carter out of Oklahoma is just the answer! He may be raw and if he merges into a starting role right away he’ll have to be a fast learner. But at some point Dallas has to find players for the future and not stop gap guys to plug holes.

3rd Round: Jerrell Powe, NT Ole Miss

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Jerrell Powe #57 of the Ole Miss Rebels against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Powe is 6-2, 329 pounds and runs the 40 in 5.29 seconds. Cowboys current nose man is Jay Ratliff who’s listed at only 303 pounds. Rob Ryan, the Cowboys new defensive coordinator, says that Ratliff will remain in the middle but is that the right spot for him? If Powe can absorb enough bodies to get Ware and Ratliff loose off the edge then just think of the possibilities.

4th Round: 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

I like his size, 6-6, 333 pounds. I understand that size means nothing and Gilbert could be a bust in Dallas. However he guarded current Denver Bronco’s quarterback Tim Tebow’s blind side and by learning from current Cowboys linemen, he may turn out to be a great find.

5th Round: Kelvin Sheppard, ILB LSU

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 4: Kelvin Sheppard #11 of the LSU Tigers tackles Johnny White #34 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Georgia Dome September 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Les Miles knows how to make ‘em doesn’t he? Any man who eats grass before every game is alright with me and so are his players. Sheppard will have to develop his zone and man coverage skills as he’ll have time to learn behind the Cowboys current crop of backers.

6th Round: Chris Rucker, DB Michigan

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Chris Rucker #16 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up during the Capitol One Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Rucker has had some character issues in the past and I’m sure Jones will do his research on the defensive back. But with steady speed on the 40, a low 4.5, and great hips Rucker is good enough to provide serviceable back up play as a rookie.

7th Round: Alex Linnenkohl, C Oregon State

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: (L-R) Ryan Katz #12, Burke Ellis #74, Alex Linnenkohl #60 and Michael Philipp #77 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona.

A lot of great players have been found in the 7^th round and Alex may just be one of those finds. He’s a 300 pound guy who has great lateral movements and stays in position.

7th Round: Dane Sanzenbacher, WR Ohio State

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: DeVier Posey #8 and Dane Sanzenbacher #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate Sanzenbachers touchdown on a fumble recovery in the first quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana

At 5-11 and 180 pounds I think Dane may be regulated to special teams and preseason games. Unless he turns a few heads at training camp I think Dane’s skills will best be used providing blocks on kick and punt returns.