DC.Com Staff Compiles Its First 2014 Mock Draft

IRVING, Texas – The time's come a month before the draft for the DallasCowboys.com staff's first attempt at a Cowboys mock draft.

The draft doesn't start until May 8, so a lot's bound to happen and change in the next month, but members of the DC.com staff have analyzed enough of the prospects to make their initial projections and briefly explain their choices.

Most mock drafts have a variety of choices for the Cowboys with the 16th overall pick, and it's no different in these. While there are a couple similarities between the choices, all five analysts have five different choices for the top overall pick.

Here are the first full mock drafts from Bryan Broaddus, Nick Eatman, Rowan Kavner, Ed Cahill and David Helman.

Bryan:I can see where this Cowboys front office and coaches fall in love with the flexibility of Ealy. Matthews can play as the X or Z along with some work in the slot. Lawrence will sit better than a third-round grade on their board. Jermey Hill is a perfect one back or can line up behind a fullback. Ryan Carrethers is a get-after-you 1-technique. Tom Savage is smart and can make all the throws. If you are going to have a fullback on the roster, J.C. Copeland is the best one. Marqueston Huff can play down in the box, but has the skill set for single-high work with range. Spencer Long hurt his knee in October, but before that his tape was really good. Nice scheme fit. Irabor can play zone or off well, and Van Der Kamp is the best punter in the draft.

David:It's probably going to rustle some feathers that I have the Cowboys taking offensive players with their first two picks, but both Martin and Matthews are great values at those spots. They're both capable of contributing immediately and add great depth to their positions. I have the Cowboys addressing the D-Line right after that, with Jeffcoat being especially intriguing – for his athleticism as well as his familiar last name. Zumwalt looks like one of those guys who shines in-game, rather than during drills. He had 93 tackles and 6.5 tackels for loss with UCLA last year. Among the late picks, Shaw was a proven winner, if not a polished passer, at South Carolina. Long intrigues me because he was considered a much higher pick before an ACL injury derailed his 2013 campaign.

Ed: If the Cowboys were to land Mosley, Hageman, and Murphy in the first three rounds of this draft it would go a long way in fixing the defense here in Dallas. All three could push for starting positions on week 1, and could prove to be the core of this defense moving forward. Aaron Murray is a bit of a luxury pick, but this seasoned college quarterback would be a steal in the fourth round. I feel strong about the second half of my draft. It includes a few character and injury concerns, but I'll trade those concerns for talent and upside on day three. My favorite of the lot would be running back Isaiah Crowell. Huge character concerns, but the Georgia transfer has loads of talent and potential.

Nick: While I'm not crazy about any of the players likely to be there at No. 16 (and I just don't think Aaron Donald will be available), I'll go with Clinton-Dix because of his experience. Hopefully if he can be a player similar to Mark Barron that's a win for the Cowboys' defense. Tuitt is projected as a 3-4 end, but his size is very similar to Jason Hatcher and could fit perfectly in defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli's scheme. Smith is a speedy linebacker with great range and Sims is a compact, hard-nosed runner who could contribute early in the passing game. After that I wanted to take a little bit of everything since they have so many picks. And no, it's not a coincidence my first few selections are all from big schools. I think the Cowboys have struggled lately in finding small-school gems. [embedded_ad]

Rowan: I'd be shocked to see the Cowboys pass if Donald is still available at 16, regardless of the other players left on the board. He's a perfect fit for Rod Marinelli, who can figure out the best way to utilize Donald and Henry Melton, considering they both seem to be good fits at the three-technique. Ward may end up being the best safety from this draft. Like many of the pass-rushers in this draft, some may project Smith more as a 3-4 outside linebacker than a 4-3 end. It may take him some time to get used to consistently putting his hand on the ground, but he has the frame to play in either scheme and knows how to reach the quarterback. Huff stood out at the Senior Bowl and would fit in well in the slot in Dallas with his quickness, sharp route-running and willingness to block.