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Introduction

While the Cowboys have been relatively quiet this off season the media channels make it seem like they are the most active team. Every day there is a new rumor or expansion of a rumor associated with them. It seems every NFL player that is unhappy where they are seems ready to jump to Dallas.

Even though they often name other teams Dallas is always focused on for three years. One, they are the Cowboys,  America’s Team. Everybody loves or hates them so they are sure to draw ratings just by virtue of who they are. Second, they are competitive. An impact player here or there could make them the Super Bowl favorites. Third, Jerry Jones is willing to take risks to get his team to the top.

So, I’ve been thinking about all these rumors and the upcoming draft and about what the Cowboys could feasibly do over the next couple months.

No McFadden

There’s been a lot of speculation about the Cowboys jumping up the draft to get Darren McFadden. Besides not needing a top-five back the money they would have to pay him is simply too great. The Cowboys will sit pat towards the tail end of the draft and, if anything, move out of the first round.

Unfortunately for those who love McFadden and the Cowboys he will not have a star on his helmet come next year.

Pacman Jones and Chad Johnson

These are the two prominent rumors regarding the Cowboys right now. “Pacman” Jones has made it clear that he wants to play for the Cowboys. If he’s willing to suck it up and take 90% of the risk then he will. He’s good enough for the Cowboys to take a little chance on but he won’t be commanding huge money or a high draft pick.

Chad Johnson has made it clear he wants to play anywhere but Cincinnati. He mentioned the Cowboys and suggested that with his addition the Super Bowl is guaranteed. While that’s certainly a stretch an throwing game combining the likes of Owens, Johnson, and Witten would be formidable to say the least.

While I originally thought the Adam Jones trade was much more likely I’m beginning to think there’s a real possibility with Chad Johnson. This is solely based on some comments by Jerry Jones. He stated that the Cowboys are assuming Terry Glenn won’t be back and their number one priority is getting some firepower opposite Terrell Owens. When pressed about whether he thought that firepower would come from the draft Jerry Jones said it wasn’t likely.

The Draft

Well, the Cowboys have two first round picks this year. That gives them an edge in this year’s draft. Combine that with the fact that they have no glaring needs and they have many options. They will not trade one of these picks to get Chad Johnson or Jones directly but could use them to maneuver.

For the purposes of this piece that’s what I will assume the thinking is. These first two choices will be looked at as pieces to build towards these trades.

Pick 22: From the Cleveland Browns for QB Brady Quinn

There is much speculation about what the Cowboys will do with this pick. In this scenario they are going to trade this bad boy to either the Falcons or the Dolphins (who ever offers more). I’m going to assume the Falcons will in order to #### up a QB the Dolphins otherwise would have. So…

***Dallas Cowboys trade pick 22 to Atlanta Falcons for 2009 First Round Pick and pick 34 (Second Round, pick 3)***

Atlanta Falcons select Quarterback Brian Brohm from Louisville.

This is a repeat of what happened last year when the Browns traded from early in the second round up into the first to insure they got Brady Quinn. Here, I’m betting the Falcons fear the Dolphins scooping up Brohm enough to want to jump up.

Pick 28: Antoine Cason CB/S (Arizona)

This is called hedging your bet. The Cowboys select a good young DB just in case “Pacman” doesn’t shake out. They also give themselves someone to groom behind Henry and Newman. If Newman’s price is too steep after next season then they will have his replacement waiting. Cason also gives them some depth at Safety and could be moved there if necessary.

This pick gives them lots of options moving forward. They have fulfilled a serious need and set themselves up for the future. They also protect themselves against Jones if they manage to get him and he tanks.

Pick 34: From the Atlanta Falcons for QB Brian Brohm

The Cowboys now have two picks in the second round. They also have two first round selections in 2009. One of which is from a team that seems destined to struggle for years to come (but isn’t that what they thought about Cleveland too?).

I think this is where they make their big move. ..

***Dallas Cowboys trade pick 34 (Second Round, pick 3), pick 61 (Second Round, pick 30), and LB Bobby Carpenter to Cincinnati for WR Chad Johnson***

This is about as close to market value as the Browns can hope to get for Chad Johnson. It gives them a lot of options are where to go. They will have three picks in the second round to help bolster their defense and add a talented receiver or whatever they want.

For the Cowboys, it removes a few things. First, Bobby Carpenter hasn’t really found a place in this defense. He’s out of favor with the coaching staff and seems to need a fresh start. He’s young and talented and with the right team could become a stud Line Backer.

Second, they don’t have to worry about busting on a WR selection. This will give them the ability to continue to wait on two promising young Wide Receivers (Sam Hurd and Isaiah Stanback) while assuring they are competitive on the field.

Third, they will have some leeway with Terry Glenn. He won’t be called on to step immediately back in and will be given some time to heal. If he’s anything like what he once was then a one-two-three punch of Owens-Johnson-Glenn will be nearly unstoppable (not to mention the continued presence of Barber, Romo, and Witten).

…and the Rest

The rest of the draft is relatively uneventful (though I’m not sure anything could compete with what they did above). The Cowboys use the later rounds to shore up their Defensive and Offensive lines. With the final few picks they may pick up a DB or two just to keep the churning going on there.

The real story of the rest of the Cowboys draft is this…

***Dallas Cowboys trade pick 157 (Round Five, pick 30) to the Tennessee Titans for Adam “Pacman” Jones***

Jones and the Titans get their wishes. Those are, respectively, to play for the Cowboys and to be rid of Jones.

As the Cowboys demonstrated by using their first round pick on Cason they are not playing games with Jones. He will either come in to compete for a job and stay on the straight and narrow or will be dismissed without hesitation.

With this scenario the Cowboys would be stupid not to at least pick him up. He’s a proven talent and a dynamic return man. If he really has learned then the Cowboys have their DB’s for the future in Cason and Jones. Henry would be moved to Free Safety and Hamlin to Strong Safety (if the Cowboys so desired) and Williams released after the conclusion of the 2008-2009 season.

Summary

Cowboys acquire WR Chad Johnson from the Bengals, draft CB/S Antoine Cason with the 28th overall pick, and acquire Adam “Pacman” Jones from the Tennessee Titans

WR’s: Terrell Owens (81), Chad Johnson (85), Terry Glenn (83), Patrick Crayton (84),Sam Hurd (17),  Isaiah Stanback (86)

CB’s: Terrance Newman (41), Anthony Henry (42), Antoine Cason (43), Adam “Pacman” Jones (32), Alan Ball (20)

Conclusion

So after being fairly quiet the Cowboys absolutely take over the hype of the offseason. Their two trades dominate headlines and promise to make them better on both sides of the ball.

By being crafty the Cowboys assure they have two picks in 2009 and many more options then and shore up their Defensive Backfield. The only obvious missed opportunity was a RB but the Cowboys have one more trick up their sleeve when they trade for Ricky Williams…

…just kidding. The Cowboys use a later pick (or two) on a Running Back their willing to take a chance on. It could be a committee of three to at least begin the season but Marion Barber is clearly the starter.

Keep in mind this is a hypothetically and purely for fun. There’s no way this would go down but it would be a lot of fun if it did. It would also significantly improve the Cowboys on both sides of the ball and give them plenty of options for the future.