Mock Drafts: Who Will The Cowboys Select In 1st Round?
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DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- The NFL Draft is upon us. No one -- not even the experts -- knows what will happen on Thursday night when Commissioner Roger Goodell comes to the podium.
But the mystery is what's intriguing -- and it's fun to speculate.
Who will the Cowboys select? Will it be a running back to replace DeMarco Murray? Can they find help for the defense?
You can wander the world wide web in search of numerous mock drafts, or you can read on, where we've compiled the results of 15 different mock drafts.
Based on those, here are the players most likely to be drafted by Dallas in round one:
1. Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest (4)
Of the 15 mock drafts surveyed, four of the experts slotted Johnson to the Cowboys at pick No. 27.
Yes, cornerback is a position of need for Dallas, with Brandon Carr's status uncertain and Mo Claiborne playing like -- well, Mo Claiborne.
Johnson is a tall and long corner who finished his career at Wake Forest starting 41 games and breaking up 35 passes. -- SB Nation
2. Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA (3)
The Cowboys have three solid starters at linebacker in Rolando McClain, Sean Lee, and Anthony Hitchens. But relying on Lee and McClain to play a full season is a dangerous proposition.
Kendricks might not excite the Dallas fanbase, but at No. 27, he represents good value.
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. -- ESPN
3. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin (2)
First of all, most NFL Draft experts expect RB Todd Gurley to be gone when the Cowboys pick at 27. That leaves Gordon, the consensus No. 2 RB in the draft, available by some projections.
With DeMarco Murray's departure, Dallas needs a back, despite Jerry saying that it's not "a must" in the draft. If Gordon or Gurley slip to 27, they could nab one early.
Really smooth cutback runner. Will follow blocks and wait for a chance to put his foot in the ground and get upfield. Patient to the hole, explodes out of it. Runs with decisiveness. Not going to really push the pile, but you're not going to arm tackle him. Not super evasive but runs hard and sees the hole. Very good balance to bounce off would be tacklers and will keep his legs churning. Good feel on the goal line. Questions about his catching and pass pro ability. Also puts the ball on the ground too often. -- 105.3 The Fan
4. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington (1)
Some view Peters as the most gifted cornerback in the draft. But with the talent comes off-field concerns.
Peters was dismissed from the Washington football team on Nov. 6. But in two seasons, Peters allowed just 38.1% of passes against him to be completed. He also had 24 passes defended and 8 interceptions.
I'll cross my fingers and hope that the Cowboys can snatch him up at #27. Carr and Peters on the outside, with Scandrick holding down the slot would serve as significant upgrade in the Cowboys secondary. Let Morris Claiborne, Sterling Moore, and Tyler Patmon compete for the 4th cornerback role. -- 105.3 The Fan
5. Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Shaq won the 2015 Paul Hornung Award, awarded to college football's most versatile player. Odell Beckham, Jr. and Tavon Austin were previous winners of the award.
While Thompson is projected by some to be a second-round selection, his versatility could be tempting.
Let's see, the Cowboys need a running back, linebacker, safety, nickel back, special teams demon, and all around defensive playmaker in this draft? Well, ladies and gentlemen, we found all of those in one player… -- CBS 11
Others Receiving Selections: BYRON JONES(1). ALVIN "BUD" DUPREE (1), MALCOLM BROWN (1), JALEN COLLINS (1)
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