With the 14th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama
The Dallas Cowboys have a large need at guard, and Stanford's David DeCastro is a candidate here to make it back-to-back Cardinal offensive linemen taken. Had the Chiefs not taken defensive tackle Fletcher Cox three picks ago, he also could have made a viable option.
However, in the end, a player of Mark Barron's ability will be too much to pass up.
The Cowboys ranked 23rd in the NFL against the pass in 2011, and while they did sign Brandon Carr to fill Terrance Newman's shoes at cornerback, their backline leaves much to be desired.
Barron is a dynamic playmaker from the safety spot, with the toughness and size (6'1", 213 pounds) to be a force against the run, but also fast and athletic enough to be an asset in coverage. He is the latest in the new wave of versatile safeties, and should make a great toy for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to play with.
The Philadelphia Eagles are now on the clock. Ryan Bafaloukos will make the selection.
Previous picks:
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina.
10. Buffalo Bills: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi
12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford