2014 NFL mock draft: DT Timmy Jernigan to Dallas Cowboys with 16th pick

The 2013 season was filled with injuries and disappointment on the defensive line for the Cowboys. The Cowboys were forced to release DeMarcus Ware due to salary cap mismanagement and also lost Jason Hatcher in free agency. They have signed three front seven players in free agency, but that does not complete the rebuild the team needs on the defensive front. Dallas is in need of an infusion of young talent along the defensive line. The Cowboys have decided to focus on an area of need with their first pick and brought in a talented young player.

Florida State DT Timmy Jernigan

The Cowboys would really prefer Aaron Donald with this pick but since he was taken earlier in the draft they decided to take the next best prospect. Jernigan should prove to be a disruptive force on the Cowboys defensive line for the foreseeable future.

The negatives Jernigan has are all things that can be overcome with good coaching and work ethic. These negatives include consistency and a limited number of rush moves. One other concern is that some scouts think Jernigan does not have the size to be a defensive tackle in the NFL, but he makes up for a lack of size with his exceptional strength.

Jernigan's strengths include very strong hands and a good bull rush. Jernigan is also very good against the run and can shed blocks very easily with his strength. Jernigan rarely gets pushed back from his point of attack. Jernigan will also benefit from developing his speed rush skills to go along with his bull rush ability.

1. Houston Texans (kuchiefs13) - South Carolina DE / LB Jadeveon Clowney
2. St. Louis Rams (chiefsman7588) - Auburn OT Greg Robinson
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (Steve The Hedge) - Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater
4. Cleveland Browns (NigerianNightmare) - Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel
5. Oakland Raiders (seein'red) - Clemson WR Sammy Watkins
6. Atlanta Falcons (chiefstruelove) - Texas A&M WR Mike Evans
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (kswanson) - North Carolina TE Eric Ebron
8. Minnesota Vikings (kcsno56) - Buffalo OLB Khalil Mack
9. Buffalo Bills (Aesthist) - Central Florida QB Blake Bortles
10. Detroit Lions (BuckTheFroncos) - Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert
11. Tennessee Titans (mrchiefs101) - Alabama S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
12. New York Giants (Akr_baby) - Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald
13. St. Louis Rams (chiefsman7588) - Louisville S Calvin Pryor
14. Chicago Bears (Ben Mitchum) - Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (SacramentoDrew) - Texas A&M LT Jake Matthews
16. Dallas Cowboys (LocoGonzo) - Florida State DT Timmy Jernigan
17. Baltimore Ravens (Ben S)
18. New York Jets (Kdub64)
19. Miami Dolphins (SayHeyWerd)
20. Arizona Cardinals (Koopaztown)
21. Green Bay Packers (kaiser1118)
22. Philadelphia Eagles (Matt in KC)
23. Kansas City Chiefs (R2J)
24. Cincinnati Bengals (Robert Mayes)
25. San Diego Chargers (TheDudeAbides007)
26. Cleveland Browns (NigerianNightmare)
27. New Orleans Saints (BeeRadd)
28. Carolina Panthers (citadelchief)
29. New England Patriots (death2norm)
30. San Francisco 49ers (Smitty713)
31. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary)
32. Seattle Seahawks (misterbrain)