2011 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick 40

Our annual 2011 NFL Mock Draft, with picks made by each of SB Nation’s NFL team bloggers, is in full swing. The latest pick in to the podium: the Dallas Cowboys, at No. 40 overall.

Dave Halprin of BloggingTheBoys.com explains the choice, and our own Dan Kadar reacts to it, after the jump. Make sure you’re grading this pick for the Cowboys, and checking out Blogging the Boys for all of your Cowboys needs.

Dave Halprin explains: The Cowboys went with Tyron Smith in the first round, hoping to solve a glaring need on the offensive line. Now, they turn to another problem spot, the secondary. Last year the Cowboys defense fell off significantly, and a lot of that has to do with a secondary that has question marks everywhere. Terence Newman is aging and is becoming injury-prone, and Mike Jenkins followed an outstanding 2009 campaign with a total dud in 2010. The steadiest corner was nickel-corner Orlando Scandrick. Alan Ball was handed the free safety spot and didn’t look good, and strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh is a free agent. The Cowboys have issues.

Enter Aaron Williams. The guy’s a talent, but he’s also a guy who can play multiple positions. He could end up at corner, or because of his size and tackling ability, at safety. He played all over Texas’ secondary in his time there. It’s hard to predict which player will let down the Cowboys secondary in 2011, but with so many candidates, it’s bound to happen. The Cowboys could use an aggressive rookie with size and skill, who has played on the big stages, to come in and offer some assistance.

Dan Kadar reacts: If this is how Dallas’ draft turns out, the team would get an A. Both Smith and Williams are high-upside players. Williams in particular would be able to step into the team’s starting lineup as a rookie and make an impact. Whether it’s at free safety or cornerback, it won’t make a difference. Williams is a player who could go in the mid-20s of the first round, so to get him here is a steal. [Aaron Williams Scouting Report]