Who Should the Dallas Cowboys Take in the 2008 NFL Draft?
With Two Picks in the 1st Round Coming Off a 12 Win Season, Cowboys Sitting Tall in the Saddle
By RazorsEdge
In the 2007 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys traded their first round pick in last years' draft allowing the Cleveland Browns to take quarterback Brady Quinn. The deal appeared to be win-win for both teams with Cleveland getting a local player to be their signal caller and the Dallas Cowboys getting what would surely be a top 10 pick in the 2008 NFL draft.
Then, in the 2007 NFL season a couple of funny things happened. The Cleveland Browns traded the previous starter at QB, Charlie Frye, to Seattle, veteran backup Derek Anderson caught fire and the moribund Browns won more games than nearly anyone expected. Brady Quinn stayed on the bench seeing only mopup duty in a couple of games. So the Dallas Cowboys top 10 2008 NFL first round draft pick turned out to be somewhat less, number 22 to be exact, and the 'Boys now have the #22 and #28 picks.
The only glaring needs on the Dallas roster seem to be getting a young receiver what with Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn getting long in the tooth, a running back to replace departed Julius Jones and the most pressing need of all, cornerbacks. Down the stretch last season the Dallas secondary was repeatedly burned. The safety position is solid if not spectacular. However, the cornerback position opposite Terrence Newman was another story. Opposing quarterbacks avoided Terrence for the most part like pretty coeds shunning Newman from Seinfeld to pick on the other corner. Upgrading that spot could well be the difference between another early playoff exit and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Therefore, what should the Cowboys do with those two picks? Here are some possibilities:
There have been rumors that Owner Jerry Jones was so enamored with fellow Arkansas Razorback Darren McFadden and his big play capabilities that he would consider trading Marion Barber and both picks to Miami to move up and take McFadden. Don't you believe it. No way any NFL owner would trade a Pro Bowl player at the same position and two first round picks when they have more pressing needs elsewhere and a team not that far from being in the Super Bowl. It's a bluff. Look for Jones to stay put and choose to address the Dallas Cowboys immediate needs.
If reports of Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib's three failed drug tests are accurate, his stock could probably cause him to fall to #22 and if he does, look for the Cowboys to corral him. If Talib is gone the team will most likely take the best corner available and wait. i can see the Dallas Cowboys possibly moving up a few spots from #28 to target a wide receiver or cornerback if they go with a receiver with #22. However, my prediction is Talib.
At #28, much speculation has the Cowboys keeping up with the Joneses, taking Arkansas' "other" running back, Felix Jones. It is my opinion that with the running back pool being so deep this year that the 'Boys will take a wide receiver and take their running back in round two or three. Most mock drafts have the likes of Central Florida's Kevin Smith available in the 3rd or 4th round even. All Smith did in 2007 was come close to breaking Barry Sanders' single season Division 1A rushing record. There will be quality running backs available into the 3rd and 4th rounds due to the depth at the position. Not so much with receivers. With Malcolm Kelly and Mario Manningham's recent problems, the receiver crop is not quite as deep, at least in round 1.
Look for Jerry and Stephen Jones to target several defensive backs to address the Dallas Cowboys' more urgent needs in the later rounds of the 2008 NFL draft. Even if the rumored trade for Tennessee's troubled Adam "Pacman" Jones happens, the Cowboys will still need more than one young cornerback due to Pacman's penchant for off the field issues and the possibility of another suspension.
By RazorsEdge
In the 2007 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys traded their first round pick in last years' draft allowing the Cleveland Browns to take quarterback Brady Quinn. The deal appeared to be win-win for both teams with Cleveland getting a local player to be their signal caller and the Dallas Cowboys getting what would surely be a top 10 pick in the 2008 NFL draft.
Then, in the 2007 NFL season a couple of funny things happened. The Cleveland Browns traded the previous starter at QB, Charlie Frye, to Seattle, veteran backup Derek Anderson caught fire and the moribund Browns won more games than nearly anyone expected. Brady Quinn stayed on the bench seeing only mopup duty in a couple of games. So the Dallas Cowboys top 10 2008 NFL first round draft pick turned out to be somewhat less, number 22 to be exact, and the 'Boys now have the #22 and #28 picks.
The only glaring needs on the Dallas roster seem to be getting a young receiver what with Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn getting long in the tooth, a running back to replace departed Julius Jones and the most pressing need of all, cornerbacks. Down the stretch last season the Dallas secondary was repeatedly burned. The safety position is solid if not spectacular. However, the cornerback position opposite Terrence Newman was another story. Opposing quarterbacks avoided Terrence for the most part like pretty coeds shunning Newman from Seinfeld to pick on the other corner. Upgrading that spot could well be the difference between another early playoff exit and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Therefore, what should the Cowboys do with those two picks? Here are some possibilities:
There have been rumors that Owner Jerry Jones was so enamored with fellow Arkansas Razorback Darren McFadden and his big play capabilities that he would consider trading Marion Barber and both picks to Miami to move up and take McFadden. Don't you believe it. No way any NFL owner would trade a Pro Bowl player at the same position and two first round picks when they have more pressing needs elsewhere and a team not that far from being in the Super Bowl. It's a bluff. Look for Jones to stay put and choose to address the Dallas Cowboys immediate needs.
If reports of Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib's three failed drug tests are accurate, his stock could probably cause him to fall to #22 and if he does, look for the Cowboys to corral him. If Talib is gone the team will most likely take the best corner available and wait. i can see the Dallas Cowboys possibly moving up a few spots from #28 to target a wide receiver or cornerback if they go with a receiver with #22. However, my prediction is Talib.
At #28, much speculation has the Cowboys keeping up with the Joneses, taking Arkansas' "other" running back, Felix Jones. It is my opinion that with the running back pool being so deep this year that the 'Boys will take a wide receiver and take their running back in round two or three. Most mock drafts have the likes of Central Florida's Kevin Smith available in the 3rd or 4th round even. All Smith did in 2007 was come close to breaking Barry Sanders' single season Division 1A rushing record. There will be quality running backs available into the 3rd and 4th rounds due to the depth at the position. Not so much with receivers. With Malcolm Kelly and Mario Manningham's recent problems, the receiver crop is not quite as deep, at least in round 1.
Look for Jerry and Stephen Jones to target several defensive backs to address the Dallas Cowboys' more urgent needs in the later rounds of the 2008 NFL draft. Even if the rumored trade for Tennessee's troubled Adam "Pacman" Jones happens, the Cowboys will still need more than one young cornerback due to Pacman's penchant for off the field issues and the possibility of another suspension.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:53 AM
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