IRVING, Texas – This is the time of year when mock drafts are everywhere.
Websites from all over weigh in with various opinions on where these prospects are going to end up. So each Friday, the DallasCowboys.com staff will select their own mock draft, projecting what the Cowboys will do from rounds 1-6, along with some quick analysis for their decision.
For the second straight week, all five analysts picked a different player with the No. 18 overall pick.
The draft is coming up soon, so let's have some fun and let these guys take a stab at it:
| Bryan | Nick | Ed | Rowan | David | |
| Round 1 18th | Sylvester Williams DT - UNC | Tavon Austin WR - WVU | Star Lotulelei DT - Utah | Jonathan Cooper G - UNC | Sheldon Richardson DT - Missouri |
| Round 2 17(47) | Justin Hunter WR - Tennessee | Barrett Jones G/C - Alabama | Justin Hunter WR - Tennessee | Le'veon Bell RB - Mich. State | Eric Reid S - LSU |
| Round 3 18(80) | Monte Ball RB - Wisconsin | Joseph Randle RB - Ok. State | David Quessenberry OT - San Jose St. | Bennie Logan DT - LSU | Nick Kasa TE - Colorado |
| Round 4 17(114) | Brian WatersOG - Kent State | Montori Hughes DT - M.Tenn St. | D.C. Jefferson TE - Rutgers | J.J. Wilcox S - GA. Southern | Jordan Hill DT - Penn State |
| Round 5 18(151) | Dion Sims TE - Michigan St. | Earl Watford G - James Madison | Jakar Hamilton S - SC State | Josh Boyce WR - TCU | Jeff Baca OG - UCLA |
| Round 6 17(185) | Zeke Motta S - Notre Dame | Dallas Thomas OT - Tennessee | Knile Davis RB - Arkansas | Nick Kasa TE - Colorado | Theo Riddick RB - Notre Dame |
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Bryan Broaddus' Mock Analysis: For this week's mock, it's another situation where the board has exhausted the majority of the players the front office might have targeted. With no way to go back and the idea of having the options of selecting Slyvester Williams or DJ Fluker, they choose to take Williams who they could plug in at either the one or the three technique and go to work. With no offensive linemen on the board at 47 and Eric Reid off the board off the board as well, they turn to the talent Justin Hunter from Tennessee,
who has played all three wide receiver positions in college for Derek Dooley. In the 3rd they add the most complete back in the draft, Monte Ball and come back in the 4th with the versatile Brian Winters who can play guard or tackle and is a nice fit for the zone scheme. In the 5th they catch a break and grab a player they probably have higher on their board because of his blocking ability at the point of attack and that is Dion Sims from Michigan State. In the 6th looking at the safeties, Zeke Motta is a physical player that is not afraid to stick his nose in there to make a tackle. Has some surprising cover skill but is much better when it is in front of him.
Nick Eatman's Mock Analysis: I tried to stay with the offensive linemen but I'm not seeing a guard being on the board at No. 18. Not really sure Austin will be there either but if he is, he's the type of guy Jerry Jones has a hard time passing up. He's a smaller player, but very electric. I still think Barrett Jones would be worth taking there despite some injury concerns and Randle is a tough, physical
runner who could be a similar replacement for DeMarco Murray, if needed. In the later rounds, I added some players to help the line, but I know my draft lacks a safety – arguably the biggest need on this team. But if it's not getting filled early, then why not let Matt Johnson try, plus a rookie free agent will probably stand out.
Ed Cahill's Mock Analysis: This is a dream scenario in the first round for the Cowboys. If a few quarterbacks, a couple wide receivers, both guards, Kenny Vaccaro, and Sharrif Floyd are off the board, you could see Star Lotulelei in range for the Cowboys. Moved Justin Hunter up a round from last week. He's a dynamic player on the outside and upgrades your passing attack immediately. Qussenbery is a converted tight end, and fits the bill for what the Cowboys look for in a prototype right tackle; an athletic player with quick feet that can get out and help the run game. You might think fourth
round is high for a tight end, and it is, but selecting D.C. Jefferson is a move I think the Cowboys could make in the middle rounds, and he might not make it past them at 135th overall. Knile Davis has all the tools to be a successful NFL running back, and if he's there late in the draft it's worth taking a chance on him.
Rowan Kavner's Mock Analysis: OK, so Cooper may not get there. But there's a chance either Cooper or Warmack falls a little further than some are predicting. Plus, if either one is still available a pick or two before the Cowboys select, they could make a move to trade up. These mock drafts are more about predicting what the team will do than suggesting what it should do, but missing out on the best offensive linemen in this draft could be costly.
Bell's size and production can't be found elsewhere on this board, and the Cowboys have already shown interest in the running back. Logan makes his way onto my board again, this time jumping into the third round. Wilcox is an interesting player having played at a smaller school and not played safety very long, but his athleticism could make him a hidden gem. Kasa gives the Cowboys a massive tight end that could eventually help bolster the line's blocking.
David Helman's Mock Analysis:In my best-case scenario, I'd want Dallas to draft either Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper. But I just can't convince myself they'll be available at No. 18. So I'm again opting for defensive help, and Richardson might be the best available defender. Reid fits for a variety of reasons – he'll likely be the best safety left, and this staff has a connection with LSU. Kasa is one of the biggest tight ends available for an offense that could use a blocking tight end – he could help tremendously with the run game. By the fourth round, the top-tier defensive tackles will be gone, but Jordan Hill could
offer a lot of bang for the buck at this round. Baca could help out as a guard, but he could also transition to center. Riddick is the latest idea in my quest to find a late-round running back. He's got reliable hands and a good build for power running.
