| Position: | DT | School: | Pittsburgh |
| Height: | 6-0 | Weight: | 288 |
| Class: | Senior | 40 time: | 4.82 |
As you may have noticed from the previous mocks, I think that Aaron Donald is the best choice for the Cowboys in the first round. He is the best 3-technique defensive tackle and I truly believe that he will flourish in Rod Marinelli’s defensive scheme.
| Position: | DT | School: | Arizona State |
| Height: | 6-1 | Weight: | 315 |
| Class: | RS Senior | 40 time: | 4.94 |
Before you start asking why, I’m going to tell you. I think that Will Sutton has one of the best bursts off the line. He uses that quickness to penetrate into the backfield quickly. Sutton has that “quick-twitch” that Marinelli looks for in his defensive linemen.
Sutton is a guy that brings versatility to the defensive line; he can play the 1-technique or the three-technique defensive tackle, and may even be able to play the 5-technique or 7 technique as a defensive end.
Adding a player like Sutton and pairing him with Donald, could give the Cowboys a similar front to that of the Carolina Panthers, who drafted Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short in consecutive rounds in 2013.
The only negative that I have seen on Sutton, is that in 2013 he played at a much heavier weight than he had in previous years. I think that to take full advantage of his quickness and explosiveness, the Cowboys may want him to trim back down to about 290 to 295-pounds.
| Position: | DE | School: | Boise State |
| Height: | 6-3 | Weight: | 245 |
| Class: | RS Junior | 40 time: | 4.73 |
As evident by his 21 sacks in 23 collegiate games, DeMarcus Lawrence is another prospect that has the “quick-twitch” that Marinelli and his defensive staff look for in their defensive linemen. In fact, I think he may have the “quickest-twitch” after watching some of his tape.
While Lawrence is known for his dynamic pass-rushing ability, he doesn’t shy away from the run, using his hands well to shed blocks and bring the opposing running back down for a loss.
The Cowboys could draft Lawrence and let him grow behind future Hall of Fame defensive end DeMarcus Ware.
| Position: | OT | School: | North Dakota State |
| Height: | 6-5 | Weight: | 315 |
| Class: | Senior | 40 time: | 5.28 |
With his blend of size and strength, I think that Billy Turner has all the makings of a very good offensive tackle at the next level. He’s athletic and moves well for a man of his size, but what I like most is that he is nasty in the run game, which makes me believe that while he would make a very good tackle, he might make a great guard for the Cowboys.
| Position: | DT | School: | USC |
| Height: | 6-3 | Weight: | 280 |
| Class: | RS Junior | 40 time: | 5.02 |
Another undersized defensive tackle prospect with a lot of upside is USC’s George Uko. I think that he’s better suited to be a three-technique defensive tackle, and could be a rotational guy in Marinelli’s scheme.
I specifically like that he fires off the ball quickly, uses his athleticism to get up field and that his play is violent. One thing the Cowboys found out last season is that you cannot have too many pass rushers in this Tampa-2 scheme.
| Position: | WR | School: | Buffalo |
| Height: | 6-3 | Weight: | 205 |
| Class: | RS Senior | 40 time: | 4.59 |
One of Alex Neutz’s downsides is that he lacks blazing speed, but he makes up for it with his precise route running and uncanny ability to catch almost every ball thrown his way. The Cowboys could use some depth at wide receiver with Miles Austin’s impending release.
| Position: | FS | School: | North Carolina |
| Height: | 6-0 | Weight: | 205 |
| Class: | Senior | 40 time: | 4.58 |
I’m intrigued by Tre Boston’s ability to make plays on the football. He is very good at patrolling the back end of the field and keeping plays in front of him. The knock on Boston is that he isn’t the best tackler, and that may be why he is projected to go in the seventh round.
I think that if Boston can prove that he can be an effective tackler and that he can learn to wrap up, as opposed to going for the highlight reel-type hit, his draft stock will rise.
Nonetheless, I think that his ball skills will intrigue teams looking for a ball-hawk in the secondary, and we all know that the Cowboys could use one, or four of those.
| Position: | DE | School: | Bloomsburg |
| Height: | 6-6 | Weight: | 250 |
| Class: | RS Senior | 40 time: | 4.67 |
A former DII basketball player, Larry Webster just finished only in his second season of playing collegiate football, but he has all the makings of an NFL-caliber pass rusher. Despite playing at a small school, and being inexperienced, scouts took notice of Webster’s quick first step and initial burst, comparing him to Jason Pierre-Paul.
Cowboys’ fans must understand that Webster is incredibly raw, and not expect him to come in and contribute immediately. At this point, he would be more of a project, but it’s hard not to like his pedigree and measurables.
