The Dallas Cowboys are on the clock with the ninth pick of SB Nation's 2011 NFL mock draft and Blogging The Boyshas selected USC OT Tyron Smith. This pick is a bit of a surprise to me but it's hard to complain about going with the big boys up front. 

Blogging The Boys has reasoned that offensive tackle and defensive end were among the top needs but opted to go with the guy who will protect their quarterback. I like the logic. 

Dallas could have gone strictly BPA here, where Robert Quinn is the likely guy according to most experts, but the Cowboys are having problems along their line as age and injury are catching up, and their depth has not developed. They need an infusion along the line to keep Tony Romo healthy, and Smith is generally considered the top offensive lineman in the draft. So you mix need in with BPA, and go with Tyron Smith.

As Mocking The Draft points out, I think Dallas does want to trade out of this pick. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said a couple weeks ago he's received multiple offers for the ninth pick and, whether that's accurate or not we don't know, but it certainly got the word out that the pick is for sale.

For more on this pick, and Blogging The Boys full explanation, check out Mocking The Draft.