Mel Kiper Jr. has published his first mock draft of the year, per the Dallas Morning News, and the coiffed prognosticator has your Dallas Cowboys selecting Bruce Campbell, tackle out of Maryland with their first overall pick.
Campbell is, to put it lightly, a big boy. At 6'7" and 310, he would fit in well, in stature anyway, with the land monsters that currently comprise the Dallas offensive line. After leaving the Terps in December of last year as a junior, Campbell rose to a no.6 Scout.com position ranking.
The 21-year-old played in all 13 games for the Terrapins in 2008, was named ACC offensive lineman of the week for week 7 of that year, and blocked for Maryland's first 1,000 yard rusher (Da'Rel Scott) since 2002.
Campbell is described as a very athletic offensive line with quickness to spare. However, he missed time in 2009 due to turf toe and an MCL injury and started just 17 games throughout his college career. Add some concern over technique, and one can easily deduce why one site, MockingTheDraft.com, suggested that Campbell "may define the term 'boom or bust prospect.'"
Ah, but one must remember that (a) it is mid-January and (b) mock drafts, especially those of this premature sort, are rarely right beyond maybe (maybe) the first couple selections.
If nothing else though, at least you learned something new today. And knowledge, as G.I. Joe so often explained, is power.
