2011 NFL Mock Draft: Dallas Cowboys Final 7-Round Predictions

So we’ve come to the end of the road. The 2011 NFL draft is this Thursday and all 25 of the NFL draft prospects who will attend are putting the finishing touches on their best suits and getting a fresh line-up.

The boo-birds are warming their vocal chords and commissioner Roger Goodell is practicing his best Pete Rozell impression in the mirror. 

The NFL draft is where dreams come to live or die, and this Thursday we'll find the next Jay Ratliff and Ryan Leaf.

Most pundits and fans believe that the ‘Boys will choose USC offensive lineman Tyron Smith with the ninth pick but there is still a slight chance Double-J, Jerry Jones, will take Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara.

However, the more I look at what the Cowboys have to choose from it wouldn’t be such a bad idea for Dallas to trade down to pick former Florida offensive lineman Mike Pouncey. If he’s anything like his brother Maurkice then Dallas can’t get much better. Mike is versatile and can play any position on the line.

Tyron is raw and has only played two years at right tackle and may move to the left side when drafted.

But the draft is about as unpredictable as Jerry’s next face lift, so we’re all just speculating until the big day arrives.

Here is my final, final Cowboys seven-round round draft prediction.

1st Round, 9th Pick, Tyron Smith, OT, USC

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 05: Joe McKnight #4 of the USC Trojans celebrates his touchdown with Tyron Smith #70 and David Ausberry #9 during the second quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 5, 2009 in

I would love for the ‘Boys to trade down and choose Pouncey because I think he’ll have immediate pay-off but I believe Garrett and Jerry will take Smith at the ninth pick.

No trading up or down to try and grab Patrick Peterson or Mike Pouncey, the ‘Boys will take Smith and start him at right tackle and dump Colombo.

2nd Round, 40th Pick, Rahim Moore, S, UCLA

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Safety Rahim Moore #3 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

For my last couple of mocks I’ve had the ‘Boys selecting Cam Heyward at defensive end from Ohio State. Well, Lil Iron Head won’t be there when Dallas selects, at least I don’t think he will be, and Dallas seems to be headed toward addressing the secondary with this pick.

Here I think Dallas will go with the durable and reliable Rahim Moore. He runs a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash and has enough size, 6’1", 196 lbs, to play safety in the National Football League.

3rd Round, 71st Pick, Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 22: Brandon LaFell #1 of the Louisiana State University Tigers runs past Kenrick Ellis #97 and Mike Newton #42 of the South Carolina Gamecocks at Tiger Stadium September 22, 2007 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris G

Ellis has seen his buzz only increase since he declared for the draft. He has massive size, weighing in at almost 350 pounds, and he most certainly uses it well.

Ellis was second on his Hampton Pirates team with 94 total tackles last season, and if he’s picked by Garrett here, he’ll probably replace Jay Ratliff at nose tackle as Ratliff will likely move to defensive end.

4th Round, 109th Pick, John Moffitt, G, Wisconsin

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 10: Offensive lineman John Moffitt #74 of the Wisconsin Badgers blocks against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Moffitt will be a 25-year-old rookie when drafted so the ‘Boys are getting a seasoned rook with this pick.

Moffitt played in the Big Ten for four years so he has plenty of big game experience and seems to have a mean nasty streak. The last Cowboys offensive lineman to have the “nasty” label was Flozell Adams, and he anchored the Dallas line for years.

He weighs in at 319 pounds and has a habit of finishing blocks, something the ‘Boys need.

5th Round, 140th Pick, Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 08: Glen Coffee #38 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tries to avoid a tackle by Kelvin Sheppard #11 of the Louisiana State University Tigers on November 11, 2008 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tide defeated the Tige

The Cowboys are looking for an inside linebacker and Sheppard fits the bill here.

Kelvin may not start right away and if not he’ll do great as a special teams expert—just ask LSU. He’s very versatile and has enough speed to make up a coverage bust, unlike Keith Brooking.

6th Round, 171st Pick, Chris Rucker, DB, Michigan State

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide stiffarms Chris Rucker #29 of the Michigan State Spartans during the Capitol One Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Im

I’m standing firm on this pick because Dallas can’t go an entire draft without picking a defensive back. Rucker is very speedy and I believe Dallas could use his talent. Then again, Dallas can use a lot of things.

Rucker stands at 6’2 and 200 lbs, which is NFL cornerback-out-the-package ready.

7th Round, 210th Pick, Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers slips past Liloa Nobriga #48 of the Colorado Buffaloes during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Eric

Dallas seems primed to pick a running back in this draft due to the likelihood of the team parting ways with running back Marion Barber.

Helu has a ton of potential and while his blocking skills are still in question he has a ton of upside when he has the ball placed in his gut.

7th Round, 251st Pick, J.T. Thomas, ILB, West Virginia

Doug Benc/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback E.J. Manuel #3 of the Florida State Seminoles avoids a sack by linebacker J.T. Thomas #30 of the West Virginia Mountaineers before completing a pass during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2010 at Jac

Thomas will probably have special teams duty when first selected but if he’s able to prove himself worthy of some looks in the nickel then that may be a good sign that the Cowboys may the right choice.

Of course that’s all speculation but I believe the speedy linebacker can develop into something great for Dallas down the road.