The NFL draft is close by, already the rumors of who is going where have been rampant. Mock Drafts have already hit their 4th version, and the blogs are filled with updates on all prospects, pro day workouts, and how a team’s free agent acquisitions have impacted the team’s draft strategy. It is no surprise at all that teams that generally draft well are the teams that we frequently see winning divisions and making the playoffs. There is no debate that with the current structure of the NFL, building through the draft is the safest, cheapest, and most sustainable strategy that can build, and reload a team from season to season.  I will have my own mock draft a week or two before the real one occurs, but until then I am going to just discuss my beloved Cowboys’ draft needs, the top 5 draft needs specifically. And conclude it with my own Cowboys Draft, at least one that is close to the reality.

1. CB- To me this is the biggest need. Last year, the greatest weakness of that Cowboys’ team was the secondary, specifically the health of the starting CBs and, of course, Jacques Reeves. The opponents passing game was pretty simple, dodge Demarcus Ware and throw it at whoever Reeves was covering. Reeves didn’t get any better as the season went along, even with his extended mount of playing time with at least one of the starters out of the lineup for what seemed like three quarters of the season. Cutting Aaron Glenn before the season started turned out to be an absolutely horrible mistake as the secondary only had ONE DB with good coverage skills, Terrence Newman. Ken Hamlin and Anthony Henry I consider having above average cover skills and Roy Williams is pretty much god-awful at covering anything. Reeves was basically Roy Williams Jr, and all Cowboys fans rejoiced when he was cut. This draft class has plenty of good corners and the Cowboys would be wise to pick up one or even two. They NEED someone who can become a very good cover corner (Newman) and not one that is good at bumping and being physical and play the Cover-2 but gets burned on a one-on-one situation (Henry). Newman does a great job of locating the ball, staying with his man, and using his natural speed to close gaps between him and the receiver once the ball is thrown. The Cowboys need a CB who is more Newman than Henry, therefore, that CB pick needs to be in the first or second round where those types of CBs are usually taken. Plus age is going to be a problem for the CB position in 2-3 seasons, so the Cowboys will be best served to strike now.

2. WR- This was pretty obvious when TO got hurt in the Carolina game last season. The passing game was no where near the same. The offense basically sputtered and couldn’t get the ball in the end zone, their running game basically became the Cowboys bread-and-butter on offense and that proved not to be nearly enough, especially in the playoff game against the Giants. TO is 35 and you can bet that despite his great physical shape, sooner or later that age factor will play in his performance and abilities. Terry Glenn could very well be retired by the time next season rolls around, and Patrick Crayton is at best a #2 receiver, and does not have the burst, speed, or big-play ability to become a #1 or anything more than a player that can get you some around 40-50 catches for 500-700 yards and 4-8 tds. Hardly game-breaking numbers. With such young guys like Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, and Isiah Stanbeck, they do have the youth that could counter the age of TO and Glenn if he was to return, but there is no confusing the impact of any of those three young guys to a young receiver that can also be a game breaker like a Calvin Johnson this past season or a Marques Colston last season. That is basically what the Cowboys need, a young receiver that can no doubt be a #1 once TO is gone or hurt, someone who has game-breaking speed and who doesn’t drop important passes, ala Crayton.

3. RB- I know some people have the RB position either #1or 2 on the list of Cowboys priorities but I feel the you can strike gold in the later rounds more often with RBs than either CB and WR. Marion Barber, by the way, was a 4th round pick just to drive that point home a little more. Plus, the problems the Cowboys had down the stretch didn’t have as much to do with the running game than the passing game and pass defense. I was sad to see Julius Jones leave the Cowboys, not because he was all that great, he didn’t get the job done the past two seasons, but because of the promise he did show, those flashes that had Cowboys fans talking ‘the next Emmitt.’ He went from the ‘next Emmitt’ to the ‘make believe starter’ to a Seattle Seahawk. I don’t believe Marion Barber is a 300 carry back, if that’s how the Cowboys use him, expect him to average 100 yards a game in the beginning of the season, 70 yards a game near the end of the season, and a career that is just about done by 28 years of age. His running style does not permit him to be that 300 carry back. Us Cowboys’ fans are used to that one guy, Dorsett, Walker, Smith, but that is not the case anymore, the Cowboys need a two-headed monster at the RB spot. Most people think the Cowboys need a back with speed and big-play ability that can also catch out of the backfield. I tend to agree with that, but I am not against getting a back that is more similar to Barber as long as they can get 10-12 carries a game and get about 40-60 yards a game as well. As long as they are moving the ball on the ground I don’t care who is running it or what ‘style’ back they are.

4. DT- The 3-4 defense has to have a huge, unmovable, goliath for that defense to function properly. Jason Ferguson was that guy until he got hurt and was lost for the season. Now Jay Ratliff did a good job filling in, and Tank Johnson wasn’t too bad either, but neither guy gives me much comfort, this is a position that needs a good 2-3 man rotation. Ratliff wore down near the end of the season, and I think Johnson still needed to get his football legs under him. Next year, we might see a better Ratliff, more prepared for the task than he was last year basically thrown to the fire due to a lack at depth at that position, and maybe next year Johnson also is in better shape to man that position, maybe even start. I would feel a little more comfortable if the Cowboys had a third option beside Remi Ayodele. With the contract extension Ratliff signed with the Cowboys this past season, I have no doubts that he will be a prominent player somewhere on that defensive line. If the expectation is that Ratliff is going to be the starting NT for the ‘Boys, with Johnson has the backup, the Cowboys need to shore up that position by getting a young NT soon, someone who can than be the backup to Ratliff once Johnson is gone. What the Cowboys have in rotation with their LBs and DEs has worked splendid for them, a great mixture of youth and experience. I bet you can name, if you are a knowledgeable Cowboys fan, at least 5 linebackers and 4 DE that contribute to the Cowboys rotation at those positions. Not so much for DT. That needs to change, draft a NT.

5. OT- Coming up with a fifth need was pleasantly difficult. The choices were, a back-up QB, another LB, a safety, a player who could specialize in kick and punt returns, but when it comes down to filling needs, you can never go wrong with the o-line. I think OT is the hardest of the O-line positions to find suitable players and that is why I chose an OT as the fifth priority, but getting an OG or a C is just as good for depth reasons. I personally would like for the Cowboys to draft a C because the Cowboys really don’t have a true C besides Gurode, Cory Proctor who is the back-up C has played more guard and it better at that than C, so getting a true C in the draft would be nice.

My Cowboys Draft (basically what I hope to see realistically happen)

RD 1

      Pick 22: Malcolm Kelly             WR              Oklahmoa

                  The Cowboys I think would want to pick the WR or CB that would be highest on their overall board, I believe that will be Malcolm Kelly (who I believe the Cowboys will see as one of their top 3 WRs in this draft) when the Cowboys get here, I don’t foresee Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Aqib Talib, the top two corners in this draft available so the ‘Boys take a risk of drafting Kelly and hope that their third, fourth, or fifth choice of CB will be available at 28.

Pick 28: Mike Jenkins            CB             South Florida

                  I would like this pick very much if the Cowboys could pull it off and get lucky. He is quick, by most accounts has good coverage skills, and has the play-making ability to be a KR/PR. That speed could really come in handy for a defensive backfield that does not feature much speed besides Terrance Newman.

RD 2

      Pick 61: Jamaal Charles          RB            Texas

                  His speed and burst is good, what I think the Cowboys need to counter Marion’s style. He is also a pretty good receiver out of the backfield which would be a great addition to have since the Cowboys do like to get the RBs involved in the passing game. I would prefer if available at this slot Chris Johnson from ECU or Ray Rice from Rutgers, but I don’t think they will be available at this spot for the Cowboys to take.

RD 3

      Pick 92: Roy Schuening          OG            Oregon

                  I do think the Cowboys might go Oline a little too early, they tend to go too early on a position or two every draft, I think the 3rd round is the most likely to do it since the previous three picks addresses the most obvious needs. Schening I expect to be a future starter, hopefully with the Cowboys, he was a four year starter, strong, physical very good at run-blocking. Needs to work on his pass-protection and not the fastest but I do think when Kyle Kosier is gone which shouldn’t be in the too distant future, he should make a strong push for that starting spot.

RD 4

      Pick 126: Ahtyba Rubin       DT       Iowa St.

                  What Rubin provides that is sorely needed for the Cowboys at the NT position is a stout run stopper who does a great job taking on multiple blockers. I really had no idea who of the DTs available in this draft I wanted the Cowboys to take until I did a little research and found out that this guy is the best pure run stopper out of every one in this draft. More than one ‘expert’ said it including Mel Kiper for what its worth. So I say, lets throw those ‘experts’ a bone and pick him up.

RD 5

      Pick 164 Josh Barrett        S          Arizona St.

                  Barrett I see has being a nice pick-up for the defensive backfield and the special teams. Keith Davis becoming a Dolphin has left a void behind Roy Williams and on the special teams. Barrett is a fast, hard-hitting, instinctive (as the ‘experts’ describes him, maybe another way to say he makes good plays while playing out of position sometimes) safety that could help fill that void.

RD 6

      Pick 169 Ben Moffitt        ILB       South Florida

                  The Cowboys will get another player from USF and I think this one would be a really nice pick up for the Boys. Mainly, the Cowboys don’t know what they have at ILB, yes Akin Ayodele and Bradie James are the starters. Backing them up for sure will be Kevin Burnett and Zach Thomas. Booby Carpenter is also a possibility but he keeps switching positions. Burnett has been inconsistent and also does give up quite a few big plays. While Zach Thomas is no guarantee to make the team, and if he does who is to say he will stay healthy. They probably need one more ILB and I like this Moffitt guy.

RD 7

      Pick 238 Cody Wallace       C       Texas A&M

                  I was looking to get a backup QB for Romo but I pretty much felt that the Oline should be addressed again and get as many bodies as possible going into to training camp. I have my doubts that Wallace will be available in the 7th round but its always hard to predict teams needs along the Oline. So for arguments sake, he is available and the Cowboys give him a chance.