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2014 NFL Mock Draft: Dallas Cowboys Select...

The first half of the community mock draft is in the books, with BTSC reader steeler fever representing the Cowboys.

Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Looking at the board, I see two players in particular have fallen to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 16 - OT Taylor Lewan and TE Eric Ebron.

Taylor Lewan could be the replacement for Tyron Smith, the Cowboys' talented, former 1st-round pick who is coming off his first Pro Bowl and will be entering his fourth season. The Cowboys are likely to exercise a 5th-year option to keep him in Dallas through the 2015 season, but drafting Lewan could mean they wouldn't then need to sign Smith to an expensive second contract after that. Basically, it'd be a money-saving move from a salary cap-strapped franchise as it moves toward the future.

Or the Cowboys could draft Eric Ebron as the eventual replacement for Jason Witten, who turns 32 in May (being a few months older than the Steelers own Heath Miller). The same argument for drafting Heath's replacement in Pittsburgh apply here to Jason Witten in Dallas (who did move to 2nd on the list of the NFL's all-time reception leaders for tight ends last season).

Safety is arguably the Cowboys' biggest need, even on a defense that is losing pass rushers.-steeler fever

Then we have the most popular players who are usually mocked to Dallas and seem to be consistent favorites at Blogging The Boys - DT Aaron Donald (who is off the board in this mock) and FS Calvin Pryor. Safety is arguably the Cowboys' biggest need, even on a defense that is losing pass rushers.

Another option is for the Cowboys to reach at this spot for a pass rushing defensive end, and I wouldn't put it past Jerry Jones to consider a range of players who are not valued at this spot in the draft such as Kony Ealy or Scott Crichton (though both of those players would likely be available in a trade-back situation).

With the 16th pick, the Dallas Cowboys select Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville.

Usatsi_7758098_154224504_lowres_medium

Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Bottom-line analysis by NFL.com:

"Perhaps the most explosive hitter in this year's crop of safeties, Pryor is a big, physical hammer in the run game, bringing the ability to intimidate and erase. Factor in his instincts and range and Pryor has the ability to start as a rookie."

2014 NFL Draft Prospects

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Team Player Pos School BTSC rep/link to pick
1 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/HOU.png Blake Bortles QB UCF SteelerWolf
2 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/STL.pngviahttp://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/WAS.png Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M Jack Finn
3 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/JAC.png Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville twault
4 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/CLE.png Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina Double-Eagle
5 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/OAK.png Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M diehardsteelerfan625
6 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/ATL.png Khalil Mack LB Buffalo Erik Stone
7 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/TB.png Sammy Watkins WR Clemson TheCommish
8 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/MIN.png C.J. Mosley LB Alabama VinnySteel
9 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/BUF.png Greg Robinson OT Auburn Sean Geddes
10 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/DET.png Anthony Barr OLB UCLA JDSpartan
11 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/TEN.png Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma St slatts17
12 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/NYG.png Mike Evans WR Texas A&M omara891
13 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/STL.png Ha Ha Clinton-Dix S Alabama Panther pride 76
14 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/CHI.png Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh Michael Uhlhorn
15 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/PIT.png Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan St (BTSC vote)
16 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/DAL.png Calvin Pryor S Louisville steeler fever
17 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/BAL.png


Steelers_Fan_to_the_Core
18 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/NYJ.png


DropTheHammer
19 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/MIA.png


steeler_chris_5
20 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/ARI.png


Wichita SunSteeler
21 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/GB.png


(?)barnerburner(?)
22 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/PHI.png


c63tho
23 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/KC.png


WelcomeToReality
24 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/CIN.png


Steel Spike
25 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/SD.png


L-Ray
26 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/CLE.pngviahttp://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/IND.png


AMKrup
27 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/NO.png


Ike Evans
28 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/CAR.png


asmith87
29 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/NE.png


furthur56
30 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/SF.png


Collision Course
31 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/DEN.png


alexryan
32 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/SEA.png


Thoroughbred of Sin