Cowboys Fill Needs and Add Depth In Draft

I was as shocked as you with the Cowboys first round pick of Dez Bryant last week. I guess that means they have the utmost confidence in Doug Free, since they didn’t take a lineman with the first pick. I’m not sure if I concur on that sentiment, but I can agree with many sportswriters that the Boys’ had a great draft.

The first round pick of Dez Bryant has many factors to it. One is that Bryant truly was a top 10 overall player in this draft. Seeing him drop so far down, along with the best safeties being gone, greatly contributed to the pick. We all know Jerry Jones loves his skill position players.

Sean Lee, our second round pick, has first round talent. If there were not injury issues clouding his value, he surely would have been off the board a lot sooner. He gets to learn this coming season from seasoned veteran Keith Brooking and will have an immediate impact on special teams and in the Nickel formation.

My favorite pick from our 2010 draft is Akwasi Owusu-Ansah in the fourth round. This kid has some serious talent, along with great size and speed. I know, he came from a small school, so there will be quite the learning curve.

The things is, he doesn’t have to come in right away. He can sit back and learn the game. I’m going to make a prediction and say he’s a future starter at safety. Yes, he has that kind of potential.

I was a little surprised we waited until the later rounds to grab an offensive lineman, but I do realize we have Robert Brewster from last year who missed almost the whole season. The defensive lineman we drafted is more of a project, but he could make the roster.

We drafted a corner, Jamar Wall, which was something I definitely thought should be addressed. I don’t know much about him, but hopefully he can make a difference because we lack depth.

The draft as a whole was good. The offensive line is still very concerning to me though because Romo’s blindside is key. We all saw that in the playoffs. I think our first two picks will come in right away and compete for playing time, especially Bryant. I hope we get a veteran lineman who can compete with Free for the starting left tackle. What do you guys think of our draft?

Cowboys Make “Splash” In First Round Of Draft

Jerry Jones has never gone a whole offseason without making some kind of splash. With the little noise being made in the free agent market, it was inevitable that a big time time move would come from the draft. Let’s not discount the fact the move that was made…was actually pretty good.

Enter Dez Bryant. A receiver, who with all his talent, came with some off the field issues. Many considered Bryant to be the best receiver in the draft, but missing substantial time last season really hurt his draft stock. The Cowboys have never shyed away from a player with extra baggage.

Where does Bryant fit in? I think he will come in and immediately compete for time on the field as a starter. If I were Roy Williams I would be a bit nervous. His lackluster seasons the past two years make this pick all the more appealing.

I know we have needs that have yet to be addressed, but did anyone really think Jones could pass on a big play wide receiver. I thought he really would take care of the offensive line or secondary…what was I thinking? This must be an admission that the Roy Williams trade was more harmful than helpful.

All in all I can’t say I am completely pleased with the pick. I think it makes our offense much more dynamic, but I’m not sure if it was the addition we needed. Only time will tell if this turns out be a great pick or a bust. Maybe we found ourselves the next Rany Moss. Ok, maybe not that good, but one can always dream.

Cowboys’ Recent Releases Shape Draft Approach

We knew it was only a matter of time. With speculation swirling and the draft right around the corner, these recent releases of Flozell Adams and Ken Hamlin were less than shocking. What this means is the Cowboys have clear cut positions to address with their picks this year.

Safety and Offensive lineman are the main priorities with their first few picks in the 2010 draft. What many thought (including myself), was the Cowboys would draft the best player available (within reason) with their first couple of picks. However, with these recent developments, the Cowboys actually have needs.

Which is more important? I think that question lingers on the minds of many Cowboys fans. I don’t really think you can look at it from that standpoint though. It will really comes down to who’s still on the board when the Cowboys get to pick at no. 27.

I personally think if a quality player is available at both positions, lineman should be more important than safety. Our roster suggests our secondary is actually not as thin as you might think. Like I’ve said on other blogs, Alan Ball came in and played better than Ken Hamlin. The former 7th round pick, not only has a chance to start, but also to get paid if he performs well.

The other guy is the less popular Hamlin, Michael Hamlin. He was a fifth round pick in 2009. He played a minimal role last year with an injury plagued season. All I keep hearing though, is this guy is for real. He’s a serious playmaker and could give Ball and whoever else we draft, a run for their money this season to start.

Now when you flip the script and think about our lineman that could potentially fill the void, besides Doug Free, I draw a blank. The verdict is still out on Free too, because all his starts last year were at right tackle not left. He was mauled by Jared Allen in the playoffs at left tackle.

Granted Jared Allen is arguably the best in the game, but we better be sure we have someone guarding our quarterback’s blindside with no viable backup quarterback in place. Well, no proven backup at least. I want Jerry to make good on his word to create serious competition at those positions (Safety & Lineman) because to me they’re two of the most important positions on the field.

We can’t rule out Jerry Jones trading up to grab a player he’s really high on, but I just don’t get that feel from this offseason. Jones is always unpredictable and trying to read his mind is useless. Safety or Lineman? You’ve heard my position, what do you think?

Cowboys Able to Draft Best Players Available

The draft is always tricky. Add to that the fact the Cowboys have their starters pretty well set and things get really dicey. I think drafting the best player available is a luxury, one that should not be taken lightly.

I’m not saying lets pretend like we’re starting a franchise on Madden and begin picking needless additions, like a running back or wide receiver just because we can. I’m saying we should look at the draft from a different perspective. One that takes all accounts into consideration.

First rounders demand money…big money. Even late first rounders get paid well. Assuming this player will come in and start is a bit of a stretch though. Especially at the 27th pick, which to me is like having an early second rounder.

I think it would be easiest to rule out positions that aren’t likely to get drafted with a first round pick. Quarterback and running back are definitely safe, assuming we don’t get rid of any of our running backs.

Receivers are too, if Miles Austin comes back, which I’m sure he will. I have never liked drafting a tight end in the first round, especially when this position is pretty deep on our team as well.

The chances of us drafting a defensive lineman in the first round is very sketchy. We could use some depth, but not with a first round pick. Remember Jay Ratliff was a seventh rounder and is now an All Pro (Thank You Parcells).

So that leaves us the offensive line and almost every position (no lineman) on the defense as potential first rounders. I have to say I wouldn’t be upset if any position got upgraded on defense.

A safety, has been the topic of many fans (mine included), as a choice if no quality offensive lineman are available in the first round. You have to remember that lineman are not typically able to come in right away anyhow.

In my last blog I discussed the possibility of getting Jared Gaither. Gaither was a 5th round pick and developed into a premier tackle. It wasn’t an immediate transition though. On the other hand I think a safety could come in right away and compete for a job.

We have some young guys at the safety position that could really battle it out. Ken Hamlin has done nothing to impress me since he signed that big contract, so I’m all for a position battle. Gerald Sensabaugh is good, but not great. Both positions could use improvement.

Cornerback is another area where I wouldn’t mind having some more depth. Last year was a rarity that none of our corners got hurt. Newman is 31 going on 32, that’s getting old for a cornerback. The body isn’t going to hold up like it used to.

Plus more and more teams are running 3 and 4 receiver sets. We need quality corners that can cover those guys. Drafting a Corner is unlikely though, since we used a first rounder on Mike Jenkins a couple years ago.

Linebacker is the last area to think about because I won’t go over offensive lineman again since I have in other blogs. Our inside linebackers are getting a bit older. Keith Brooking obviously did a fantastic job last year, but he’s going to be 35 in October. Bradie James is only 29, so he’s got plenty of good years ahead of him.

We drafted Jason Williams last year, so I’m sure we expect big things from him in the future. As for the outside linebackers, I don’t think we would draft a first rounder on them because we have some very talented players at the position to say the least. DeMarcus Ware is the best in the business. Anthony Spencer is showing more and more why we drafted him in the first round and released Greg Ellis.

So where I am at? Offensive lineman and defensive backs are the only real reasonable decisions to take in the first round. By defensive backs I mean safety (possibly corner). You never know though with Jerry Jones because he likes to make a splash and since he hasn’t in free agency, he might make a crazy draft pick (I hope not).

I just hope we make a logical choice because being in a position to draft the best player available is something that doesn’t come along very often. Most teams would kill for the opportunity to be able to draft anyone they want. Jerry Jones, if you’re out there, please don’t let us fans down.

Cowboys Interested in Gaither. Goodbye Flozell?

The Cowboys have been one of four teams currently interested in the Ravens tackle Jared Gaither. Gaither is a restricted free agent and has a first round tender placed on him. If the Cowboys were to get Gaither, Flozell Adams would undoubtedly get the boot.

This idea is good in theory. There’s only one minor issue with this whole scenario. What about Doug Free? Free came in and did a fantastic job when right tackle Marc Columbo was out last year.

Granted, left tackle and right tackle are very different positions, but lets not take that away from Free’s performance. I think I speak for the majority when I say, he came in and completely exceeded expectations.

The other issue is Gaither had the injury bug last year. The injury was nothing serious, but he did miss a little time last season with a neck injury.

Flozell is on his last leg, but to give him the boot could have more complications than first meets the eye. Our first round pick would be gone, not to mention the giant contract we would have to give Gaither to keep him.

Doug Free would be a good insurance policy, if anyone were to get hurt. However, judging by last year, he can be more than just a backup. I think he could even challenge Flozell Adams for a starting job in training camp this year. There’s still a sour taste in my mouth from the way Adams/Free were manhandled by Jared Allen in our playoff defeat.

I agree we need help on the line, but Gaither is not the answer. This can be addressed through the draft or with the players we have. I want to see Flo and Free battle it out in camp. Gaither would be a welcomed addition, but not at the cost that would be demanded to acquire him.

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