IRVING, Texas – It's only been a week since last time we took a look at the various mock drafts around the Internet. If you're like me, you're probably thinking that seven days isn't much time for the landscape to change – and like me, you'd be incorrect.
In just one week, we've got a new favorite to go No. 27 overall to the Cowboys in Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown. The 319-pound defensive tackle wasn't picked to Dallas in a single mock draft last week, and this week he is the overwhelming favorite, appearing in four of 12 mocks as the 27th pick.
The Texas standout replaces UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa as the favorite on the mock list. Odighizuwa is still represented on the list, though not quite as often. Several running backs also appear, and one mock selected a highly-regarded cornerback.
Here's a rundown of some of the most up-to-date mocks.
Date of Mock:March 24
Pick:Texas DT Malcom Brown
Comment:"They added Greg Hardy, so why not add a power player inside?"
Date of Mock:March 23
Pick:Georgia RB Todd Gurley
Comment: "Gurley is a powerful running back with a good amount of speed. What makes Gurley a special talent is his combination of those things and agility. That's why the Marshawn Lynch comparisons pop up. He's an intimidating runner who will bowl over defenders to get extra yards. Gurley's routine runs are impressive. He's the type of running back who can turn a 2-yard run into a 4-yard run solely by wiggling through a tackle and leaning forward as he goes down. There is some issue with Gurley's torn ACL and doubts whether or not he can start the season. But he's a special player, the type who looks like he could become one of the top running backs in the NFL."
Date of Mock:March 23
Pick:Washington CB Marcus Peters
Comment: "Brandon Carr has disappointed and Morris Claiborne has been the one blemish on an otherwise flawless first-round resume for the Cowboys the past five years, making cornerback a need in this year's draft. Peters has his baggage, but the reward outweighs the risk at this point."
**NFL.com’s Lance**Zierlein
Date of Mock:March 26
Pick:Brown
Comment: "Brown is a great fit in the penetrating, upfield attack of the Cowboys and should help fortify their defensive front very quickly."
Date of Mock:March 25
Pick:Gordon
Comment: "The Cowboys need more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball if they truly want to compete for a championship. However, U-T Sports Editor Todd Adams sums up Jerry Jones perfectly: "He loves his skill players." I worry about Gordon's usage at Wisconsin. His total touches were approaching 700, and you'd like to draft a running back below 500. It's really hard to argue with 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns though. Top needs: CB, DL, RB"
Date of Mock:March 25
Pick:Florida State DT Eddie Goldman
Comment: "Cowboys fortified OL in first round in recent years. It's the DL's turn now. There will be a few options available for Dallas in the DT pool. Goldman provides strength and power."
Date of Mock:March 23
Pick:UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Comment: "Given the loss of DeMarco Murray to the hated Eagles, it would be easy for Jerry Jones and Co. to roll the dice on Georgia's Todd Gurley with this pick. Another priority would be to build the defensive line. Odighizuwa's power and motor make him an ideal complement to last year's second round pick Demarcus Lawrence."
Date of Mock:March 23
Pick:Brown
Comment:"The Cowboys need a dominant interior defender to continue to play solid defense under Rod Marinelli. Brown is a monster at the point of attack, exhibiting exceptional strength and power to overwhelm blockers at the line."
Date of Mock:March 25
Pick:Florida State CB P.J. Williams
Comment:"The Cowboys desperately need help at cornerback. Morris Claiborne has been a huge disappointment, while Brandon Carr is extremely overpaid. Dallas could target a potential upgrade at the end of the first round."
Date of Mock:March 25
Pick:Brown
Comment: "Projecting position flexibility for this Longhorn is appropriate when discussing Brown's skill set as either a 1- or 3-technique DT. Despite possessing size and strength to take on double-team blocking (as he was asked to do at Texas), Malcom has the quickness and agility of a much-smaller man, as his 64 tackles (14 for loss) and 6.5 sacks would attest. His Combine explosion factor of 63.7 and lateral agility of 0.46 belie his 6'2", 319 lb. frame. DC Rod Marinelli calls all his DL "Rushmen" and likes to substitute in waves, keeping them fresh. Not picking up Melton's option saved the Cowboys $9MM in 2015, Nick Hayden was re-signed for 1 year but new blood is needed on the DL, so why not draft this guy?"
Date of Mock:March 20
Pick:Gordon
Comment: "With Murray departed to Philadelphia, the Cowboys brought in Darren McFadden to fill the void. Considering the ball-carrier's history, that's a risky move. Perhaps owner Jerry Jones thinks so as well, as he recently spoke about the possibility of drafting a running back, viaDallasCowboys.com. Melvin Gordon is an NFL-ready player who can make an immediate impact in Dallas. If he's there at No. 27 overall, he may be too tough to pass up."
Date of Mock:March 18
Pick:Kentucky DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree
Comment: "This is lower than where I think Dupree should go, but quality players slip in the draft every year. There is a line of thought that the Cowboys will use this pick to draft a running back, and maybe they will. But they can also add a really solid defensive end in Dupree here while still having the opportunity to land a quality running back in round two."
