Cowboys Team Needs for the 2007 NFL Draft

I haven't written about the Dallas Cowboys in a while, I have been in a depression since the debacle in Seattle. But now it's time to move on and focus on the 2007 NFL Draft. Honestly, I thought Dallas's defense would be much farther along at this point than it is, they have an awful lot of high draft picks on that side of the ball. The Cowboys have really neglected their offense in the draft since Parcells took over and it shows. I think the front seven (on defense) for Dallas will be just fine, next year they will get Greg Ellis back, talented youngster Jason Hatcher should be ready and OLB Bobby Carpenter really flashed some big time talent in that final game against Seattle.

1. Offensive Guard:
This is the weakest position on the team. They were really counting on 3rd round draft pick Stephen Peterman to take over one of the guard spots, and they signed Marco Rivera with the hope that he could regain his pro bowl form. Neither happened and as a stop gap, they signed a journeyman guard in Kyle Kosier, a guy that the lowly Detroit Lions didn't even want.

Don't look at the stats, yes on paper they had decent rushing numbers, but when they really needed to run, they couldn't. Most of their yards came on draws and traps when the defense was playing the pass and most of Marion Barber's touchdowns came with a heroic effort on his part, and decent tackle, tight end and receiver blocking.

They probably need to replace both guards, Rivera needs to be released and Kosier is nothing more than a backup. So what do they do? They have to draft offensive line early and often and try to sign a top free agent.

Unfortunately for Dallas this isn't a great year for guards. I would like to see them get Sam Baker from USC and convert him to guard, or possibly Texas's Justin Blaylock, Texas Tech's Manuel Ramirez or Boston College's Josh Beekman.

2. Free Safety:
This is a coin toss between free safety, cornerback and defensive tackle. It depends on what the Cowboys really think of Pat Watkins. If they don't think Watkins is the answer then they need to get someone in the backfield with some ball skills, because Roy Williams is terrible in pass coverage. It would be nice to get a LaRon Landry (LSU) or a Reggie Nelson (Florida), but they will probably be long gone by the time Dallas gets to make a selection. They might get lucky and draft Virginia Tech's Aaron Rouse, Miami's Brandon Meriweather or Oregon State's Sabby Piscitelli. In the later rounds I like Memphis's Wesley Smith and as a late round/free agent type Dallas should take a look at is Small School Prospect Dan Peters from Shepherd University. Shepherd had 32 career interceptions at the Division II level.

3. Defensive Tackle:
Dallas can't expect Jason Ferguson to play every down. Fergi had an excellent season and they were lucky he didn't get injured, but relying on lady luck again would be foolish. They tried to address it last year, Montavious Stanley was a nice draft pick, but unfortunately when he got to camp he turned into yet another bust, I think at one point he was released and then signed back to the practice squad. Coming off a season ending injury, Tennessee's Justin Harrell could be available for Dallas, he might be worth a gamble. They would probably have to use their first rounder on Ohio State's Quinn Pitcock, LSU's Glenn Dorsey, Louisville's Amobi Okeye or NC State's Tank Tyler. All of those guys have the plus 300 pound size to play the nose in the 34 defense. Maybe the Cowboys get lucky and one of those studs slip to them in the 2nd round.

4. Cornerback:
I propose moving Anthony Henry to free safety and drafting a corner very early. Henry has played safety before and has publicly stated that he would not oppose that idea. I just don't think he is good enough to be a cover corner in the NFL. In the second half of the season he was abused. Terrance Newman is a solid corner, not great, but solid. I think he (Newman) is just now coming into his own and should be able to man the corner position for 3-4 more years. But back to Henry, he needs replaced. Maybe Dallas should use their top pick on Pitt's Darrelle Revis or Fresno State's Marcus McCauley. Some other candidates could be Syracuse's Tanard Jackson or Baylor's C.J. Wilson. I also like small school speedster Travarous Bain from Hampton.

So that's it for now, but check back often for continious draft coverage of the Cowboys and an extensive post draft report.