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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Dallas Cowboys
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (11): 51, 69, 101, 117, 156, 166, 172*, 197, 208*,
210, 227
*-compensatory picks cannot be traded
Wide Receiver – Losing a #1 like Terrell Owens is going to
force a change in your offense. Roy Williams has only been over 850
yards in a season once in his five year career. Owens went 936+ in 10
of his past 12 campaigns. Assuming Williams and his two touchdown
receptions during his past 15 games played will slide into the featured
role easily is a dangerous assumption to say the least. The better
strategy is shifting the emphasis to the running game and continuing to
utilize star tight end Jason Witten, who oh by the way led the team in
receptions (81) last year. If that is the plan I can get behind it and
will accept Dallas waiting for the right wide receiver to fill up their
depth chart. There is simply no way to replace T.O. in terms of his
touchdown production in this draft. Trying to do that is futile.
However, at some point a player needs to be added to supplement Miles
Austin and Patrick Crayton behind Williams.
Secondary – I am clumping cornerback and free safety here for
good reason. At cornerback Anthony Henry was traded to Detroit. His
spot will be filled by committee at first. Obviously last year’s first
round pick Mike Jenkins is the guy they want starting although fifth
round gem Orlando Scandrick is also a factor. Teams are certainly going
to steer the action away from Terence Newman on the other side. The
best strategy here is probably a veteran in case the development of
last year’s rookie duo sputters. Their next problem is safety. Roy
Williams has been cut which solves the problem of having two players
with the same name on the same team. Keith Davis is still loitering in
free agency. Gerald Sensabaugh (Jaguars) was a good addition on a one
year deal to play the strong spot, but this group is thin on talent. In
the draft I could see them targeting a corner/safety ‘tweener. Someone
who for the moment is able to get on the field in nickel or dime
situations and eventually find a home would be ideal, with an emphasis
on safety. Look for the Cowboys to hit this area more than once because
a hard hitting strong safety, given
their large stack of picks, is a strong possibility.
Linebacker – Bobby Carpenter is a flat out bust. As a former
#18 overall pick he has just 50 tackles in 42 career appearances. There
is always a chance the proverbial light bulb goes off in his fourth
season. No one is holding their breath on that. Kevin Burnett was
another disappointing early pick (second round) and left for San Diego
in free agency. The team response has been adding veteran Keith
Brooking who displaces last year’s veteran addition Zach Thomas as the
elder statesman among the linebackers. At 33 he still has something
left and his leadership definitely adds to their locker room. On the
field they need someone athletic to get after it, and will be seeking
that player in the draft.
Offensive Line – This is always a priority for the Cowboys. At
left tackle Flozell Adams has seen his play drop off and turns 34 in
May. How much does he have left? Next to him at left guard Kyle Kosier
could be upgraded. There are definitely players waiting in the wings as
I am always reminded by Dallas fans when I bring up the offensive line.
The reason for this is that the team continues to emphasize it, and
like most teams will again pick up some help in the draft.
Quarterback – The position has already been improved with the
removal of team headache Terrell Owens making starter Tony Romo’s life
easier and addition of veteran backup Jon Kitna. The missing element is
a young player to groom for the future. Smart teams draft for the
future. It is better to “waste” three sixth round picks in consecutive
seasons searching for a potential gem than throwing crazy first round
money at a player who could bust. Dallas can mine the late round talent
for someone to sit behind Tony Romo. Kitna turns 37 the first month of
the season and what they would really be doing is selecting someone
capable of unseating him as the primary backup for the 2010 or 2011
season.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
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