Football Outsiders: Dallas Draft Needs
Ryan Wilson / FootballOutsiders.com
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys signed former Cardinals offensive lineman Leonard Davis to a seven-year, $50 million contract, and he will probably play right guard. Dallas also inked free safety Ken Hamlin from the Seahawks, and the hope is that this will free up strong safety Roy Williams to make more plays near the line of scrimmage. Both players fill immediate needs, but the club will target these positions for depth in this month's draft. Since 2005, the club has used five first-day picks on defensive linemen and linebackers — they switched to the 3-4 defense under Bill Parcells — and often shy away from offensive players in the first round, though that could change this year.
Top five areas of need:
Offensive line: Left guard Marco Rivera, recovering from his second back surgery, will likely retire. Right tackle Marc Colombo struggles in space against athletic defensive ends.
Nose tackle: Jason Ferguson has played well during his two-year Cowboys career, but he's 32. New head coach Wade Phillips would love to have a Jamal Williams-type wreaking havoc on the defensive line.
Safety: Yes, the team signed Ken Hamelin, but the 2007 safety draft class is one of the deepest in years. Roy Williams hasn't played with a natural centerfielder since Darren Woodson retired in 2003.
Wide receiver: Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens are both north of 33 and while the club likes Patrick Crayton, he is still unproven.
Quarterback: Not a huge priority, but Romo and Johnson are the only quarterbacks on the roster.
Who they hope falls to them: The Cowboys don't pick until 22nd, but would love to see someone like Auburn guard Ben Grubbs or Florida safety Reggie Nelson still on the board.
Who they will have to settle for: Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. has been slowed by a late-season injury and he could be available near the end of the first round. In addition to creating mismatch problems in the slot, he is also a dangerous kick returner.
Who they may have their eyes on in the later rounds: In recent drafts, Dallas has had some success with finding offensive line depth on Day 2. Last year it was Weber State's Pat McQuistan and in 2005 they took Pittsburgh's Rob Petitti. If they choose to go the small-school route again this year, Missouri Southern State offensive tackle Allen Barbre could be an option.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys signed former Cardinals offensive lineman Leonard Davis to a seven-year, $50 million contract, and he will probably play right guard. Dallas also inked free safety Ken Hamlin from the Seahawks, and the hope is that this will free up strong safety Roy Williams to make more plays near the line of scrimmage. Both players fill immediate needs, but the club will target these positions for depth in this month's draft. Since 2005, the club has used five first-day picks on defensive linemen and linebackers — they switched to the 3-4 defense under Bill Parcells — and often shy away from offensive players in the first round, though that could change this year.
Top five areas of need:
Offensive line: Left guard Marco Rivera, recovering from his second back surgery, will likely retire. Right tackle Marc Colombo struggles in space against athletic defensive ends.
Nose tackle: Jason Ferguson has played well during his two-year Cowboys career, but he's 32. New head coach Wade Phillips would love to have a Jamal Williams-type wreaking havoc on the defensive line.
Safety: Yes, the team signed Ken Hamelin, but the 2007 safety draft class is one of the deepest in years. Roy Williams hasn't played with a natural centerfielder since Darren Woodson retired in 2003.
Wide receiver: Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens are both north of 33 and while the club likes Patrick Crayton, he is still unproven.
Quarterback: Not a huge priority, but Romo and Johnson are the only quarterbacks on the roster.
Who they hope falls to them: The Cowboys don't pick until 22nd, but would love to see someone like Auburn guard Ben Grubbs or Florida safety Reggie Nelson still on the board.
Who they will have to settle for: Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. has been slowed by a late-season injury and he could be available near the end of the first round. In addition to creating mismatch problems in the slot, he is also a dangerous kick returner.
Who they may have their eyes on in the later rounds: In recent drafts, Dallas has had some success with finding offensive line depth on Day 2. Last year it was Weber State's Pat McQuistan and in 2005 they took Pittsburgh's Rob Petitti. If they choose to go the small-school route again this year, Missouri Southern State offensive tackle Allen Barbre could be an option.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:06 PM
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