Where will the Dallas Cowboys go in the 2011 NFL draft? Mock drafts have them selecting a number of players including offensive tackle Tyron Smith out of USC. That's among the most popular mock draft picks for them but Florida interior offensive lineman Mike Pouncey believes he'll be in Dallas as the ninth overall pick.
2011 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys’ Team Needs Include Offensive Line
SB Nation’s Blogging The Boysbelieves offensive line will be among the Cowboys priorities in April.
The Cowboys are pretty much set at the skill positions on offense. For their first round pick, you can take QB, RB, WR and TE off the board. Where they might go is offensive line. Doug Free had a good year replacing Flozell Adams at LT, but the rest of the line had issues. Marc Colombo dropped off dramatically at RT, that's a position the Cowboys could target. They could also get some help in the middle where age and performance are becoming a problem.
Offensive tackle is a position in which you’d likely get more bang-for-your-buck as opposed to guard or center, which would be where Pouncey would play. Team owner Jerry Jones has already said he’s received trade offers on the ninth pick which may indicate they’re willing to move the pick.
Blogging The Boys writes that if offensive line isn’t the pick then the front seven, or even cornerback, could be addressed.
Unless an offensive lineman is sitting at #9 that they really like, Dallas will most likely choose a defensive player. They could use help along the defensive line, where only Jay Ratliff is a sure thing. At middle linebacker, Keith Brooking is reaching the age when his play could slide quickly, and besides Sean Lee they haven't established a backup to Brooking and Bradie James. Depth is an issue. Dallas could also use help at safety, or possibly cornerback, where Terence Newman is aging and has struggled with injury, and Mike Jenkins has been inconsistent.
CB Prince Amukamara is another player mock drafts have given the Cowboys. He’s the second best corner on the board behind CB Patrick Peterson, so he certainly makes sense.
The Cowboys are in a nice position in that they're expected to be successful in 2011, despite drafting in the top 10. They struggled last year mainly because of QB Tony Romo's injury, which cost him much of the season.
For more on the Cowboys draft day needs, check out Blogging The Boys.
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