JJT: Team Report
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
DECISION MAKERS: Bill Parcells is gone, so owner Jerry Jones moves to the front of the line. He will get input from VP of pro and college scouting Jeff Ireland and VP Stephen Jones, but the owner clearly has the final say.
DRAFT BUZZ: It's unlikely the team will move into the top 10--especially considering coach Wade Phillips doesn't want any rookie starters--but it may make a bold move by dealing RB Julius Jones, who could bring a second-round pick. The Cowboys think he wears down, and they are shifting to a power running game, which strays from Jones' strengths. OLB Greg Ellis also could be dealt, and Denver is a possible destination because Broncos coordinator Jim Bates is a former Dallas assistant.
TARGETING: The Cowboys have not drafted an offensive player in the first round since 1997. That run could end with a wideout--LSU's Dwayne Bowe, Tennessee's Robert Meachem, USC's Dwayne Jarrett or USC's Steve Smith. Any of those players could help immediately in three- or four-receiver sets and be groomed behind Terrell Owens, 33, or Terry Glenn, 32. The team also could address wideout later and use the 22nd pick on Florida S Reggie Nelson. He plays a terrific center field and has the range and speed that make scouts drool. Taking Nelson would allow SS Roy Williams to spend the bulk of his time near the line. Though the Cowboys have invested heavily in linebackers the past two drafts, they still want to add an outside linebacker or an end who can be converted into one. Ellis is coming off a ruptured Achilles', and OLB Bobby Carpenter isn't an explosive pass rusher. The team would love to add a second- or third-round pick, then grab a player such as Purdue DE Anthony Spencer or Nebraska OLB Stewart Bradley. The Cowboys need someone to play on the strong side, so whoever they take must weigh at least 250 pounds.
For Sporting News
DECISION MAKERS: Bill Parcells is gone, so owner Jerry Jones moves to the front of the line. He will get input from VP of pro and college scouting Jeff Ireland and VP Stephen Jones, but the owner clearly has the final say.
DRAFT BUZZ: It's unlikely the team will move into the top 10--especially considering coach Wade Phillips doesn't want any rookie starters--but it may make a bold move by dealing RB Julius Jones, who could bring a second-round pick. The Cowboys think he wears down, and they are shifting to a power running game, which strays from Jones' strengths. OLB Greg Ellis also could be dealt, and Denver is a possible destination because Broncos coordinator Jim Bates is a former Dallas assistant.
TARGETING: The Cowboys have not drafted an offensive player in the first round since 1997. That run could end with a wideout--LSU's Dwayne Bowe, Tennessee's Robert Meachem, USC's Dwayne Jarrett or USC's Steve Smith. Any of those players could help immediately in three- or four-receiver sets and be groomed behind Terrell Owens, 33, or Terry Glenn, 32. The team also could address wideout later and use the 22nd pick on Florida S Reggie Nelson. He plays a terrific center field and has the range and speed that make scouts drool. Taking Nelson would allow SS Roy Williams to spend the bulk of his time near the line. Though the Cowboys have invested heavily in linebackers the past two drafts, they still want to add an outside linebacker or an end who can be converted into one. Ellis is coming off a ruptured Achilles', and OLB Bobby Carpenter isn't an explosive pass rusher. The team would love to add a second- or third-round pick, then grab a player such as Purdue DE Anthony Spencer or Nebraska OLB Stewart Bradley. The Cowboys need someone to play on the strong side, so whoever they take must weigh at least 250 pounds.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:16 PM
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