Cowboys Likely to Trade Down

With the draft just a little over a month away, mock drafts are blowing up in full force. The consensus pick continues to be Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara. Let’s take a look at the latest projections and then I’ll give you my thoughts.

DraftCountdown: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

DraftInsiders: Cam Jordan, DE, Califonia

Ourlads: Tyron Smith, OT, USC

Mel Kiper: Prince Amukamara, DB, Nebraska

Wes Bunting: Prince Amukamara, DB, Nebraska

DraftKing: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

WalterFootball: Prince Amakamara, DB, Nebraska

Rotoworld: Prince Amakamara, DB, Nebraska

NFLDraftDog: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

Not much has changed with most mock drafts, Prince Amukamara still dominates; but, let’s be real, I don’t see the Cowboys drafting Amukamara. I don’t even see the Cowboys sticking around with the #9 pick unless Patrick Peterson drops to them, which is looking less and less unlikely. Let’s look at which position probably gets selected.

Corners

Unless Peterson is there, the Cowboys won’t draft a cornerback, unless they trade down, and by that point the picking aren’t all that, so I dont see cornerback being the pick. Pundits view the secondary as our main weakness, but with the right coaching and safety help (ie. Weddle; Huff), we should be ok.

Defensive Ends

If we’re looking to replace Marcus Spears with the #9 pick, I dont see us using one that high, we’d likely draft down into the teens and draft a DE that way. For our 3-4, I dont see us drafting a DE in the first round. If we were using the 4-3, then maybe the pick would be worth it. Now, if Rob Ryan really wants go after the quarterback and “sick ’em”, with a true rush from DE, then yes maybe the Cowboys take a roll early for a DE.

Offensive Tackles

This is the position where the Cowboys clearly need help with Marc Colombo on the downside of his career, this spot is open right now. We all saw the disaster unfold when Colombo was out, and even when he was in there, the blocking clearly was not much better. To me, if the Cowboys stay firm at #9, they take the best OT on the board. Tyron Smith seems to be the consensus first tackle likely to be drafted first. If Tyron is not the player they want, the Cowboys can trade down a few and draft Gabe Carimi, or Anthony Castonzo

Likely Draft Strategy

The Cowboys are priming themselves to take offers to move down from the teens to twenties, and along the way, adding some more picks. I fully expect Jerry to be wheeling and dealing out from the #9 pick, and there will be suitors. This draft screams offensive tackle with our first pick, whether it be #9 overall or from a trade down. Garrett talked about returning this team to the “Cowboy way” and to me this starts and ends with the offensive line, the stout, brutal offensive line from the ’90s were instrumental in our explosive offensive barrage. Address RT, and LG and we’ll be on our way. Colombo and Kosier are injury prone and depth there is inadequate right now.