As of February 26, Arkansas running back Felix Jones led all others in my review of the Cowboys’ two first-round picks in 100 mock drafts. At that time, Tennessee State’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had the second highest number of “votes.”
The landscape has, to say the least, changed a bit. Rodgers-Cromartie and Troy CB Leodis McKelvin have both jumped way up on most boards, with both appearing in the top 10 on some boards. Few drafts have Dallas taking a player other than a corner, running back, or receiver.
According to my review of 56 mock drafts that have been published during the month of April, Jones still appears on the most number of mock drafts (28). The player who appears the next most frequently is Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib (12). Here is the new list:
Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (28)
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas (12)
Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma (10)
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (9)
Limus Sweed, WR, Texas (8)
Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St. (6)
DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal (5)
Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech (5)
Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona (5)
James Hardy, WR, Indiana (5)
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon (4)
Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma (3)
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (3)
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (2)
Anthony Collins, T, Kansas (1)
Anthony Aldridge, RB, Houston (1)
Justin King, CB, Penn State (1)
Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina (1)
Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan (1)
Donnie Avery, WR, Houston (1)
Ryan Clady, T, Boise St. (1)
With literally 1,000 opinions from which to select, let’s look at what former Dallas executive Gil Brandt has to say about some of these possible picks.
Jones: Started two games as a true freshman in 2005 and nine games the last two seasons — mostly at wide receiver. … Very good kickoff return specialist (he has four return TDs in three years). … Best traits are outstanding quickness and running ability. … Note: He averaged one play of 20-plus yards for every nine touches.
Talib: Has long arms (33 inches). … Redshirted in 2004, then started 32 games over the next three years. … Best traits are his height (6-0¾) and athletic ability for the position. … Note: Could move up into Tier Two if teams overlook some off-field issues.
Kelly: Started seven games as a true freshman and 26 games over the last two seasons. … Oklahoma coaches speak highly of Kelly as a person, but the team that drafts him needs to understand that he will not run very fast. … Best traits are long arms (34½ inches) and very strong hands to catch the ball.
Jenkins: Started three games as a true freshman in 2004 and has started 37 games the past three years. Best traits are quickness and man-to-man cover skills.
Sweed: Had a 37-inch vertical jump at Texas’ pro day and he’s got long arms for a receiver (33 3/8 inches). … Redshirted in 2003 and then started 39 straight games until sidelined with a wrist injury in the Iowa State game midway through last season. … Best traits are leaping ability to make catches and a burst of speed after the catch. … Note: Could slide down to Tier Three.
Thomas: Has long arms (32 7/8 inches) and big hands. … Played two years in junior college at Coffeyville (Kansas), then started one game at Michigan State in 2006 and 12 games in 2007. … Set a Big Ten record for kickoff returns, and his return skills help his draft status. … Best trait is great speed/size combination for the position. … Note: Could slide down to Tier Three.
Jackson: Started 10 games in 2005 as a true freshman and then another 23 over the next two seasons. … Was a record-setting punt returner in the Pac-10. … Best traits are great quickness and hands. … Note: Could slide down to Tier Three due to size (5-9 7/8, 167).
Flowers: Started 27 games over the past two seasons. … Had a good cone drill (6.72). … Plays the game faster than his times speed (best 40 time in pre-draft workouts was 4.55). … Best traits are good instincts and physical play.
Cason: [Brandt ranks Cason outside of the top 50]
Hardy: Redshirted in 2004 and then started 33 games over the past three seasons. … Was a starter on the basketball team but gave it up for football. … Scored 36 TDs in three seasons. … Best traits are height (6-foot-5 3/8) and hands.
