6 picks
#27, 59, 90, 125, 196, 234
Offensive Tackle
Since the "triplets" dynasty their offensive line has been where they live or die. This is a crossroads for them at tackle. Flozell Adams fell off the map at the end of the season. It happens. Maybe age caught up to him. Whatever it was, I said "he can't be counted on to protect the blind side" and a few days later he was released. Right side starter Marc Colombo was beaten like a drum in the playoffs, maybe in part due to a bum ankle. One guy ready to take on a bigger role is Doug Free, who is a free agent next year so this is the time to find out how valuable he is long term. Paul McQuistan was given a seventh round tender (which he signed) as a restricted free agent, and will never be more than a backup. Picking so late in the first round makes it tough to find a top prospect so we'll see if they trade up or settle on a leftover.
Interior Offensive Line
As with their entire line, age is quickly becoming an issue. Their starting guards will both turn 32 during the season, and Kosier is heading for free agency next year. Considering their Pro Bowl center Gurode just turned 32, and missed playing in the game because of minor knee surgery the interior overall has question marks. They put a fourth round tender on restricted free agent guard/center Duke Preston who was active only once all season after being picked up from the Packers in late August. Corey Procter has the same versatility inside and was given a second round tender which he signed. Assuming this group stays intact it makes the most sense for them to seek a high profile guard capable of starting sooner than later. There are a few of them in this draft.
Free Safety
Is it safe to say Ken Hamlin is not a factor in fantasy football? He has 1 interception in the past two seasons and forced 1 fumble, both of those coming in the Thanksgiving game against the 49ers in 2008. This is pretty startling. It is fine to have someone in the secondary make sure everyone is in the proper position before the snap, but how about actually making a few plays too? Maybe the Cowboys are reading my page because after I wrote that, they cut him. The strong side is in good shape assuming restricted free agent tenders hold for their starter Sensabaugh (second round) and backup Watkins (fifth round) who also helps on special teams. Watkins did sign his. They need an impact starter at free safety.
Defensive Line
They are going to keep one eye open during the draft. At the nose Siavvi has been a good backup and was given a second round tender which he signed. At end Bowen and Hatcher also earned second round tenders as restricted free agents. Both provide nice depth, and Hatcher is used as a nickel pass rusher. He signed his tender and might take over for Spears, yet another second round tendered player on the line, who is unhappy with his salary under those terms but did sign it. He stands to make $1,226,000 this year and owner Jerry Jones is saying the move is just business, but could lead to a parting of ways eventually. I sense something is going to shift up front.
Wide Receiver
On paper this is a pretty solid group of players. I'm sure you can pass at will using the Cowboys on Madden. In reality, Austin just had the mother of all breakout seasons. As a starter in the regular season he averaged 103 yards per game and led the NFC with 1,320 yards. This year defenses go into the season ready to defend him. Roy Williams has been extremely inconsistent. He has not come close the impact they expected after trading a treasure chest to the Lions for him and worse yet created waves off the field. The pressing issue in not the production of those two players though. It is finding speed from the slot because at 31 on draft day Patrick Crayton's legs are about to betray him. His average (16.8) looks great, but 23% of his yardage on the season came from 2 receptions. Considering the other offensive options, including stud tight end Witten and a trio of running backs, it is not a big deal he caught only 37 passes. The question is how much longer he can get open. Ogletree might be his heir apparent, and Titus Ryan was signed out of the CFL. Hurd was tendered (second round) as a special teams ace. It's a crowded situation and would require just the right fit if an addition is made in the draft.
Inside Linebacker
I was skeptical when they added Keith Brooking a season after the veteran addition of Zach Thomas did not really work out. However, he made an impact on their defense. His age (34) dictates the team planning for the future. Former first round pick Bobby Carpenter has disappointed and hits free agency next year. Rookie Jason Williams was taken in the third round, but barely saw the field. They tendered Octavien as an exclusive rights free agent (he signed it), but he is only a special teams guy. This is a good time to add someone in the late rounds.
Cornerback
Even before teams started throwing the ball a lot more in the NFL it was easy to cite depth in the secondary as a draft need for just about every team. The Cowboys have a nice trio of players in Jenkins, Newman and Scandrick. They kept Cletis Gordon, and tendered exclusive rights free agent Alan Ball who helps on special teams. Fourth cornerback is not exactly a high profile need even in today's NFL so we will see if the Cowboys make a move late.
Special Teams
The primary need is kicker. Folk was horrible. Let me expound on just how much. He played in 14 games for them, and missed at least one field goal in 9 of them. Maybe they should have known something was up when he was 2/4 in preseason games. His playoff replacement Shaun Suisham, who was basically fired by their bitter rival Washington, did not fare any better and is free to depart in free agency. I'm not suggesting they win at Minnesota if not for his two early misses, but a 17-9 deficit going into the final quarter might have completely changed the complexion of the game. Instead their offense was deflated by a choking kicker who can't do his job. The Cowboys brought in former player Chris Boniol to help tutor whoever winds up starting this season. This is a good thing because veteran kickers tend not the hit the market as evidenced by the franchise tags and huge money thrown at Oakland stud Janikowski. At the moment the competition is between David Buehler, a kickoff specialist as a rookie, and Connor Hughes who since signing with the Saints in 2006 as a rookie free agent has not attempted a regular season field goal. Good luck with that pair deciding the fate of a Super Bowl contender. Also of note, the kickoff return situation might need attention if in fact running back Tashard Choice is dealt. Felix Jones would be used more on offense and less on special teams.
