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2012 NFL Mock Draft: SI.com Has Cowboys Taking Mark Barron

In the latest mock draft from SI.com, Don Banks becomes the latest writer to link the Dallas Cowboys to Alabama SS Mark Barron at No. 14:

14S Mark Barron Alabama Sr. 6-2 218

There have been reports the Cowboys are targeting Poe with their pick, but in Barron they'd be getting a big, hard-hitting safety who can handle run defense and move plenty well enough in coverage. That makes him a very valuable commodity in a pass-happy league, and in a division with quality running backs like LeSean McCoy, Ahmad Bradshaw and Washington's Roy Helu.

While the draft chatter around Barron to the Cowboys has increased in recent weeks, Banks has Dallas taking the Alabama All-American even with Memphis DT Dontari Poe, who he has going to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 15, still on the board.

If Jerry Jones does have to choose between Barron and Poe, it will be an interesting window into his overall philosophy, as Barron's measurables don't quite measure up to his incredible production while Poe could not translate his jaw-dropping physical numbers into much success in college.

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Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.