RECAP: Dallas Cowboys Team Needs
Frank Coyle, Special to Rivals.com
Dallas Cowboys 9-7
Head Coach Bill Parcells 4th Year
Key Team Needs:
1. OT
2. WR
3. S
4. DT/NT
5. CB
1. Offensive Tackle - HC Bill Parcells will not sit with his current offensive line even after the addition of OT Jason Fabini and OG Kyle Kosier. The Cowboys' attack is only as good as their protection for immobile veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe. They failed to protect the edges last season and look for left offensive tackle Flozell Adams to improve off a subpar performance. They like right offensive tackle Winston Justice very much and feel he can compete for starting job immediately. They also like Andrew Whitworth and Jeremy Trueblood on the third round.
2. Wide Receiver - Yes they did land TO and he can be a huge difference maker here. But there is little depth and experience behind him and recently resigned Terry Glenn. Best value could be WR Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson on the first round. They like Maurice Stovall and Demetrius Williams later on the first day (3rd round). They will probably be interested in a blocking TE after FA loss of Dan Campbell but most likely will not address that until the middle rounds. They like TEs Jeff King and Cooper Wallace on the 2nd day of the draft.
3. Safety - The Cowboys need a FS with cover skills for their secondary and hope to address this area and possibly early. SS Roy Williams is a playmaker that would flourish with a better athlete at FS. They like Daniel Bullocks and Donte’ Whitner on the 2nd round and at least one of them could be available at the 49th selection.
4. Defensive Tackle /NT - The 'Boys signed veteran DT/NT Jason Ferguson last season. They released Pro Bowl performer LaRoi Glover this offseason that creates a bigger problem than they are willing to admit. They could shock fans and select Gabe Watson in the first round, though it is not there highest need area. They also like DT Dusty Dvoracek, Babatunde Oshinowo and LeKevin Smith very much in the late 2nd thru 4th rounds. They most likely address this on the first day with the talent falling off quickly after the top 10-12 prospects.
5. Cornerback - The Cowboys' secondary has made nice improvement in recent seasons with the addition of top picks CB Newman and safety Williams. They lack quality depth here and adding another good cover corner would solidify a good but thin unit. In a quality class at this position, they should be able to add a fine prospect on the first day. They are looking at CBs Richard Marshall and Cedric Griffin with their 2nd/3rd round picks. They hope corners like Will Blackmon, Marcus Maxey and Anwar Phillips will be available in the middle round area.
Insiders' Insights
The Cowboys have a few key needs that should be addressed early in the two-day event. They need pass protectors for Bledsoe if they expect to return to the playoffs. Justice is a very logical choice for ROT, though there are a number of prospects who can fill that role in the 3rd/4th round areas like Whitworth, Trueblood and O'Callaghan. Parcells is looking for impact on the first day to take a run at the NFC East title and will look for well developed prospects with the ability to contribute this fall. They like both top receivers and could shock fans and add to the TO signing. The FS spot and NT situations are key areas that need to be addressed and both could be a main focus on the first day of the draft. They are also interested in a NT prospect to spell Jason Ferguson and have honed in on five prospects. The safety situation could be addressed in the top two rounds. They like Roman Harper on the early 2nd day if they don't pick Bullocks or Whitner on the 2nd round.
1st Round Pick: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE Boston College - Versatile defender can play up in 3-4 or down end in 4-3
Alternate Pick: Chad Jackson, Florida, 'Boys looking to load up in the receiving game. Jackson too good to pass on here.
Dallas Cowboys 9-7
Head Coach Bill Parcells 4th Year
Key Team Needs:
1. OT
2. WR
3. S
4. DT/NT
5. CB
1. Offensive Tackle - HC Bill Parcells will not sit with his current offensive line even after the addition of OT Jason Fabini and OG Kyle Kosier. The Cowboys' attack is only as good as their protection for immobile veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe. They failed to protect the edges last season and look for left offensive tackle Flozell Adams to improve off a subpar performance. They like right offensive tackle Winston Justice very much and feel he can compete for starting job immediately. They also like Andrew Whitworth and Jeremy Trueblood on the third round.
2. Wide Receiver - Yes they did land TO and he can be a huge difference maker here. But there is little depth and experience behind him and recently resigned Terry Glenn. Best value could be WR Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson on the first round. They like Maurice Stovall and Demetrius Williams later on the first day (3rd round). They will probably be interested in a blocking TE after FA loss of Dan Campbell but most likely will not address that until the middle rounds. They like TEs Jeff King and Cooper Wallace on the 2nd day of the draft.
3. Safety - The Cowboys need a FS with cover skills for their secondary and hope to address this area and possibly early. SS Roy Williams is a playmaker that would flourish with a better athlete at FS. They like Daniel Bullocks and Donte’ Whitner on the 2nd round and at least one of them could be available at the 49th selection.
4. Defensive Tackle /NT - The 'Boys signed veteran DT/NT Jason Ferguson last season. They released Pro Bowl performer LaRoi Glover this offseason that creates a bigger problem than they are willing to admit. They could shock fans and select Gabe Watson in the first round, though it is not there highest need area. They also like DT Dusty Dvoracek, Babatunde Oshinowo and LeKevin Smith very much in the late 2nd thru 4th rounds. They most likely address this on the first day with the talent falling off quickly after the top 10-12 prospects.
5. Cornerback - The Cowboys' secondary has made nice improvement in recent seasons with the addition of top picks CB Newman and safety Williams. They lack quality depth here and adding another good cover corner would solidify a good but thin unit. In a quality class at this position, they should be able to add a fine prospect on the first day. They are looking at CBs Richard Marshall and Cedric Griffin with their 2nd/3rd round picks. They hope corners like Will Blackmon, Marcus Maxey and Anwar Phillips will be available in the middle round area.
Insiders' Insights
The Cowboys have a few key needs that should be addressed early in the two-day event. They need pass protectors for Bledsoe if they expect to return to the playoffs. Justice is a very logical choice for ROT, though there are a number of prospects who can fill that role in the 3rd/4th round areas like Whitworth, Trueblood and O'Callaghan. Parcells is looking for impact on the first day to take a run at the NFC East title and will look for well developed prospects with the ability to contribute this fall. They like both top receivers and could shock fans and add to the TO signing. The FS spot and NT situations are key areas that need to be addressed and both could be a main focus on the first day of the draft. They are also interested in a NT prospect to spell Jason Ferguson and have honed in on five prospects. The safety situation could be addressed in the top two rounds. They like Roman Harper on the early 2nd day if they don't pick Bullocks or Whitner on the 2nd round.
1st Round Pick: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE Boston College - Versatile defender can play up in 3-4 or down end in 4-3
Alternate Pick: Chad Jackson, Florida, 'Boys looking to load up in the receiving game. Jackson too good to pass on here.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:39 AM
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