IRVING, Texas – Preparing for the first round of the NFL draft feels a lot like preparing for tests back in school. It's taken weeks and months of review to get to this point, and every conceivable angle has been covered.
Despite that, at some point you have to stop and admit that you know as much as possible, and there's no way to be completely prepared for the craziness that's to come.
That's where we appear to be with our fifth look at the best of the Internet's NFL mock drafts. Over the course of the last eight weeks, we've seen a rapidly-changing idea of what the Cowboys are expected to do with their No. 27 pick. As recently as a month ago, we saw a flurry of activity around Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown. We've seen running backs, cornerbacks and a rash of linebacker selections.
With one day until the draft, there seems to have been a settling back toward the most logical pick – and there's not much of a consensus. Eight of the 13 mocks listed below have the Cowboys taking a defensive back, but there's not much agreement on who.
And that's where we've wound up, essentially. We're back to the logical basics, but it's anybody's guess what the pick actually is.
For the full breakdown, see below:
Date of Mock:April 27
Pick:Washington CB Marcus Peters
Comment: "The signing of defensive end Greg Hardy only reinforces that Jerry Jones is willing to take chances on players with character concerns if the talent is great enough. Peters is the most gifted cornerback in this class and would provide an immediate upgrade over disappointing veterans Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne."
Date of Mock:April 27
Pick: Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Comment:"Apparently the opinion that Dallas needs a cornerback is popular. I went with Gurley in my last mock draft, so it was a little strange being the only person to make that pick. In Collins, another stab would be made at a high-upside LSU cornerback. Maybe he could succeed where Morris Claiborne has struggled."
Date of Mock:April 27
Pick:Washington LB Shaq Thompson
Comment:"With the Cowboys' targets at cornerback and running back wiped out, Thompson gives Dallas an athletic linebacker they missed out on last year (Ryan Shazier) and insurance in case of another Sean Lee injury."
Date of Mock:April 27
Pick: Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon
Comment:"There is a good chance Gordon could be gone by now. A trade-up to get him is possible."
Date of Mock:April 28
Pick:Johnson
Comment:"Top two RBs are off the board, and the best DTs are gone, too, so Cowboys take a smooth, aggressive corner to deal with Odell Beckham and the other top WRs of the NFC East."
Date of Mock:April 27
Pick:UCLA LB Eric Kendricks
Comment: "The Cowboys welcome back Sean Lee from a torn ACL and re-signed Rolando McClain at linebacker, but Kendricks represents the best player available. He can play weakside or middle linebacker and gives the Cowboys some cover in case of injuries during the year to Lee, who has yet to play a full season, or McClain. The Cowboys can get running back and cornerback help a little later. --Todd Archer."
Date of Mock:April 28
Pick:LSU CB Jalen Collins
Comment:"The Cowboys desperately need help at cornerback. Morris Claiborne has been a huge disappointment, while Brandon Carr is extremely overpaid. Dallas could target a potential upgrade at the end of the first round."
Date of Mock:April 27
Pick:Peters
Comment:Does talent (not to mention need) override off-the-field behavior in Jason Garrett's search for the RKG ("Right Kinda Guy")? If so, Marcus Peters' talent would place him above the safer selections of Kevin Johnson or Byron Jones; nevertheless, with the uncertainty surrounding the Cowboys' defensive backfield, the CB position will be addressed in one of the first two rounds unless a higher-rated prospect starts a fall of Mount Everest proportions.
Date of Mock:April 29
Pick:UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Comment:N/A
Date of Mock:April 29
Pick:Jones
Comment: "The Cowboys need more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball if they truly want to compete for a championship. With both Gurley and Gordon off the board, they land Jones, who can play anywhere in the secondary and nearly took off in flight with his world record-breaking broad jump at the combine. Top needs: CB, DT, RB
Date of Mock:April 28
Pick:Jones
Comment: "They have some issues at corner in league where that can't happen. Brandon Carr is just OK and Morris Claiborne is coming off a knee injury. Jones is much more than just the athletic freak he showed at the combine."
Date Of Mock:April 25
Pick:Jones
Comment:The Cowboys are committed to running the football, even though star runner DeMarco Murray bolted for Philly during free agency, but Gurley and Gordon are off the board, and everyone else is probably a reach. Dallas also needs help at corner, and Jones — a workout warrior who blew everyone away during the testing portion of the combine — would appear to be right up Jerry Jones' alley.
Date of Mock:April 23
Pick:Kentucky DE Bud Dupree
Comment:"This is lower than where I think Dupree should go, but quality players slip in the draft every year. There is a line of thought that the Cowboys will use this pick to draft a running back, and maybe they will. But they can also add a really solid defensive end in Dupree here while still having the opportunity to land a quality running back in round two."
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