2012 Phinsider Community NFL Mock Draft - Pick 14, Dallas Cowboys

Team: Dallas Cowboys

GM: AnishB15

And, here's a look at the picks already completed:

And, here is the Commissioner with the Cowboys selection.

With the 14th overall selection in the 2012 Phinsider Community NFL Mock Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select:

From AnishB15:

The Dallas Cowboys have a wide assortment of defensive needs, including pass rush, linebacker and the secondary. They also have a big need in the interior of their O-line. With David DeCastro amd Melvin Ingram off the board, there are no interior O-lineman or pass rushers worth the 14th pick. Nick Perry and Whitney Mercilus would be a bit of a reach, as would Peter Konz or Cordy Glenn. They could go with a CB like Dre Kirkpatrick or a safety like Mark Barron, but the signing of Brandon Carr reduced this need. They decide to address their need at ILB with this pick. Kuechly is a very cerebral ILB that is also fast. The NFL player he most reminds me of is our very own Zach Thomas. Like Thomas, he may not be the strongest player, but he has sound fundamentals, good speed, extraordinary intelligance and great leadership. He can bring this defense together under Rob Ryan.

From Walter Football:

Projected Round (2012): Top-16.

3/20/12: Kuechly laid to rest any concerns about his speed with a fabulous showing at the Combine. He validated his draft stock as a pick in the top half of the first round with the potential to sneak into the top 10.

In 2011, Kuechly was all over the field, giving a weekly illustration of how effective a linebacker can be when he has elite instincts and top-notch intelligence. Kuechly has enough speed to get in position to go along with excellent tackling technique.

Against Miami, the junior set ACC and school records for career tackle totals, along with providing the game-winning score on a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown. He had nine tackles and his interception, plus a pass breakup that came deep downfield in tight coverage on speedster wide receiver Tommy Streeter.

Kuechly was all over the field against Florida State, recording 20 tackles (plus helped force a fumble, but was not officially credited with it). All game, he made big plays and was always around the football.

For the season, Kuechly amassed 191 tackles with 12 tackles for a loss, three passes broken up and three interceptions. He was the lone bright spot on a disappointing team. If Boston College was bowl eligible, Kuechly would have, almost certainly, exceeded 200 tackles on the season. He left Boston College with a tackle total of 532.

8/25/11: Luke Kuechly, a consensus All-American, led the nation in tackles in 2010 with 183. That included a 110 solo tackles. The All-American also contributed 10.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three interceptions. Kuechly has fabulous instincts and is extremely intelligent. He is a hard-working student of the game, and is a safe pick to be a productive, in-the-box run defender. As a freshman, Kuechly had 158 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss and four passes broken up. Kuechly is not an elite athlete, but definitely is a top-20 pick.

The Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock.