WCG Mock Draft - Dallas Cowboys

by Adam T on Apr 9, 2008 6:59 AM CDT in News

CURRENT SELECTION
	Antoine Cason Cornerback Arizona
ANALYSIS: This pick could go a number of ways, especially since Dallas picks again just 6 spots after this. With two picks so close together, but three big needs, it's tough to gauge what the Cowboys will believe their top priority will be at 22. Their most glaring needs right now are a CB to pair with Terrance Newman, an RB to switch things up with Marion Barber III, and a WR to succeed their aging receiving corps, who are so old vultures circle around them when they sit on the bench (that's two old receivers jokes in one day!). I have an inside source who tells me that Jerry Jones likes players from his alma mater of Arkansas, and having Razorback RB Felix Jones still on the board could lure Jerry in like a siren song. However, Jones can also be had at 28, as no teams between now and then are likely to take him (maybe Tennessee, but WR is a much bigger need for them), and it's highly doubtful that anyone will try to trade up for him. Wide receiver, their other big need on the offensive side of the ball, can also be addressed at 28 due to the deep class in this year's draft, and Dallas could probably still get a good receiver in round 2. But you can also expect them to strongly consider a guy like home-state big man Limas Sweed, who could replace T.O. quite nicely down the road. At the cornerback position, there is a lot of talk that the Cowboys are trying to sign Pacman Jones, which only makes sense if Jerry Jones made a deal with Dallas-area strip clubs. And even if they do sign him, he may not even be allowed to play if his indefinite suspension isn't lifted. If that deal with the Titans doesn't get done, then Dallas will look very hard at a cornerback here, and the next best option is Arizona's Antoine Cason. Cason is a shutdown corner who is just a great football player who does just about everything right at his position, and is being compared to Baltimore's Chris McAlister, another Arizona alum. BUT, Cason will most likely also be there at 28. So, after a series of coin flips (which could also be Jerry Jones' strategy), the pick is Cason. According to NFL.com: [Cason] looks natural making plays on the ball in flight, showing the long arms and reach to get to the ball at its high point. He does a nice job of keeping plays in front of him, but needs to get more aggressive with his hands, as he lacks the placement and strength to consistently reroute receivers. He has good timed speed, but appears to lack the second gear to explosively close on the ball. Opponents challenged him often in 2007, targeting 73 passes into his area, as they averaged 11.2 yards on their 23 completions, but he has very good timing and ability to deflect the pass, obvious by the 50 passes that his coverage assignments failed to catch.

Pick	Team	Player	Drafter	Analysis
1	Miami Dolphins	Jake Long	McRipper	Details
2	St. Louis Rams	Chris Long	Chad	Details
3	Atlanta Falcons	Glenn Dorsey	mas12	Details
4	Oakland Raiders	Vernon Gholston	Doctor Chicago	Details
5	Kansas City Chiefs	Sedrick Ellis	whitebearsox23	Details
6	NY Jets	Darren McFadden	DaNate23	Details
7	New England Patriots	Leodis McKelvin	tyger1147	Details
8	Baltimore Ravens	Matt Ryan	McRipper	Details
9	Cinncinati Bengals	Keith Rivers	tomas21	Details
10	New Orleans Saints	Mike Jenkins	sirus19x	Details
11	Buffalo Bills	Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	Chad	Details
12	Denver Broncos	Ryan Clady	Arctic Bronco	Details
13	Carolina Panthers	Jeff Otah	DaNate23	Details
14	Chicago Bears	Chris williams	tyger1147	Details
15	Detroit Lions	Rashard Mendenhall	Doctor Chicago	Details
16	Arizona Cardinals	Derrick Harvey	Gillrowdy	Details
17	Minnesota Vikings	Calias Campbell	Ando	Details
18	Houston Texans	Jonathan Stewart	whitebearsox23	Details
19	Philadelphia Eagles	Aqib Talib	bufordht	Details
20	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Malcom Kelly	Chad	Details
21	Washington Redskins	Phillip Merling	leopoldjones	Details
22	Dallas Cowboys	Antoine Cason	Doctor Chicago	Details