Cowboys Confidential: Pre-Season Mock

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Logan Thomas #3 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs with the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 3, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Pre-season games have started so of course time for the next installment of what round one might look like in the spring once the dust is settled on the football seasons. Some changes in two months and I’m sure many more to follow but right now if the draft where held today here is my take on round one. Breaking from tradition I did project a few trades just for fun and discussion.

Arizona (from Minnesota)*: Logan Thomas QB Virginia Tech….Beast of a man who could have a Cam Newton like year and spring board to the top of all draft boards. Everyone will know the name Logan Thomas after the season.

Miami: Robert Woods WR USC….What do you buy a team with no real weapons at wide receiver how about the best wide receiver in college.

Cleveland: Star Lotulelei DT Utah….This will be the first pick of the new ownership and it will finally address the need to upgrade the talent on defense.

Jacksonville: Eric Reid FS LSU….Still some spots to fill but need to address the center of the field and a top flight free safety will help all facets of defense.

Indianapolis: Barkevious Mingo OLB LSU….Went mainly all offense in 2012 but will need to flip it in 2013 and upgrade linebacker depth and Mingo will be heir apparent to Freeney and/or Mathis

Minnesota (from Arizona)*: David Amerson CB North Carolina State…Considered Claiborne last year but get the big physical corner this year.

St. Louis: Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia….Rams have Laurinaitis in the middle but could use a guy like Jones at strong side. Instant upgrade.

Seattle: Matt Barkley QB USC….Barkley falls in the lap of his old coach and is too tempting to pass up especially with the less than stellar play of Matt Flynn, height limitation of Russell Wilson and pending departure of Jackson.

Buffalo (from St. Louis via Washington)*: Tyler Wilson QB Arkansas…Chan Gailey keeps saying Vince Young looks great. Enough said. Franchise QB finally for Buffalo.

Tampa Bay: Jackson Jeffcoat DE Texas….Talented player who has a great pedigree with Dad, Jim, and will fill the role that Bowers was taken for but can’t seem to stay healthy.

Tennessee: Chris Faulk OT LSU ….Talented player who gets taught by two Hall of Famers…pretty good.

Cincinnati: Alex Okafor DE Texas...They address upgrading defensive tackle in 2012 and now get a premiere defensive end. Bengals will bring the heat.

Carolina: Keenan Allen WR California….Future #1 target of Cam Newton but until then he is Steve Smith’s running mate

Oakland: Johnthan Banks CB Mississippi State…Betting that there was a reason Spencer was allowed to leave San Fran and Bartell allowed to leave St. Louis. Just a hunch corner may be a need.

St. Louis (from Buffalo)*: Barrett Jones OG Alabama…Similar to DeCastro in the 2012 draft Jones is a leader of a super talented Bama line and now will open holes and protect the quarterback for the Rams.

Chicago: Manti Te’o ILB Notre Dame….As Urlacher battles to stay healthy at the end of his career the Bears need to have his replacement being groomed.

Kansas City: Tyler Bray QB Tennessee….Finally KC invests a pick on a franchise QB.

New Orleans: Sam Montgomery DE LSU…Moves in behind Will Smith and pushes for playing time early as the Saints hope to revamp and change the culture of their defense.

NY Jets: Sean Porter OLB Texas A&M…Jets linebackers have gotten old and an influx of talent is needed. Porter is a nice player who should take a starting spot immediately.

Atlanta: Margus Hunt DE SMU….One of these years John Abraham is going to call it a career. Be nice to have a freak like Hunt on the roster to have learn from and eventually replace Big John.

Denver: Xavier Rhodes CB Florida State…Like Abraham in Atlanta, Champ Bailey can’t play forever and Rhodes gives them a player to groom as his replacement.

San Francisco: Johnathan Hankins DT Ohio State..The team has talent on defense but can always look to get younger especially in the middle of the defensive line. Hankins goes to play for Mr. Michigan.

Dallas: Justin Hunter WR Tennessee…Unlikely to find a true number three this year taking Hunter gives them that and the insurance in case things continue down the wrong path with Dez Bryant.

Houston: T.J. McDonald FS USC….Texans can use that ball hawking safety in the mold of former Cardinals great Tim McDonald so why not his son.

Detroit: William Gholston DE Michigan State….Many believe Kyle Vanden Bosch has no more than another year maybe two left in the tank. Time to get his replacement ready.

Philadelphia: Luke Joeckel OT Texas A&M… Jason Peters may never get to 100% so might as well grab Joeckel who could start either tackle spots until the dust settles with Peters.

San Diego: Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M…..Talented team but they realize you can never have enough young offensive linemen

New England: Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina…Pats finally break down and take a real starting running back. Lattimore will allow a more balanced offense when needed.

Pittsburgh: Jonathan Cooper OG North Carolina….Another team that kind of got caught short handed when it came to offense linemen a few year ago (Flozell anyone) and I’m sure that won’t happen again.

NY Giants: Tyler Eifert TE Notre Dame….Giants will learn why most Cowboys fans celebrated the departure of Martellus Bennett.

Baltimore: Taylor Lewan OT Michigan….The Ravens can finally end the Bryant McKinnie experiment and get a talent and young tackle in Lewan.

Green Bay: Michael Buchanan DE Illinois…Ryan Pickett is getting older and a replacement will be needed soon. Buchanan is a big boy who can push to start day one and team with Jerel Worthy as the future ends of the Packers.

Projecting trade *