Best Pick: I have to go with getting Mike Jenkins, for two reasons. One, the most consistent weakness of last year’s Cowboys was the past defense. With the starters missing games due to injury and never being fully healthy and not being able to trust your safeties with coverage respondsibilities, getting a quality CB, the top cornerback according to some people, was a great pick up for this team. And second, if Pacman Jones is reinstated, then last years scenario of having both starters injured doesn’t seem to bad. A Jenkins-Jones starting combination does not sound too bad at all. This weakness can now be considered more of a strength, thus great pick.

Worst Pick: Now I am not saying that Martellus Bennett will be a horrible player and will become a bust. What I am saying is that getting a TE in the second round when the Cowboys could have added a NT, a safety, or an Olineman of any kind doesn’t seem to make the most sense. I am sure the Cowboys really liked Bennett and envision him to be a great option during any of the two TE sets the Cowboys will play. But you can get good quality TE’s later in the draft than you can a NT, or a C for example. The Cowboys just seemed to pick based on a not so great need than talent.

Most Surprising part of this Draft: To me it really is how the Cowboys really set themselves up nicely for next year’s draft. Believe me, all those trades that helped the Cowboys accumulate extra picks for next year was done for one reason: so the Cowboys can package some picks to move up in the draft or to trade for an impact player. Of course, in that package will be the first round pick. But if the Cowboys win the Super Bowl they could package their first round plus two or three other picks to move from the 32nd to something like the 22nd. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? I didn’t expect to see that out of the Cowboys.

Most Disappointing part of this Draft: The what-might-have-been once again visits the Cowboys. From not selecting Randy Moss, Julius Jones instead of Steven Jackson, Demarcus Ware over Shawn Merriman, and now Felix Jones over Rashard Mendenhall will be with us Cowboys fans. Now I personally think the Cowboys won the Ware-Merriman argument, and I am not all that saddened about not getting Steven Jackson, but it does seem the Cowboys always have to be reminded about these decisions. Now here is another that won’t go away and you just know those Steelers fans won’t shut their mouth about it either.

Why this Draft was a Good One: Basically, the Cowboys filled all their holes. They needed two cornerbacks after Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones left, hello Jenkins, Pacman, and Orlando Scandrick. They needed a new TE after Anthony Fasano left, hello Bennett. Julius Jones and Tyson Thompson out, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice in. Filling Akin Ayodele’s open spot is Zach Thomas, so that is covered. Really only that is left is that special teams monster now that Keith Davis is in Miami. Everything else seems covered.

Why this Draft was a Bad One: You can’t ever really analyze how a player will do, because it is IMPOSSIBLE. All that can be done is analyze a player’s collegiate career, measure the talent, look at the team that drafted them, and basically take into account what the ‘experts’ say about each prospect. I did all that as best as I could and what I see is that this draft only looks to have one player capable of being an NFL starter for a long time and that is Mike Jenkins. Not to say the other players can’t, but can Felix Jones take the pounding of an NFL back? As long as Witten is a Cowboy, Bennett won’t be a starter. Can Tashard Choice be a starter despite his lack of break-away speed and injury history? And are Scandrick and Walden any better than guys that play only to allow your starters a breather every now and then? Who knows how many of these guys can/will be starters but as of right now, there is no expectation to see any of them as starters next season.

Overall Draft Grade: B+

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.