There is plenty of uncertainty heading into the this month's NFL Draft. I will try to clarify this uncertainty the best that I can. I will narrow down our possible targets for each round down to a select few. I can pretty much guarantee you that we will take a linebacker, a offensive lineman, and a free safety on Day 1 barring any major surprises.ROUND 1: The main priority for Dallas will be to trade back and add another pick or two. The 6 main players Dallas will likely be targeting in the first round are OLBs Bobby Carpenter, Manny Lawson, Kamerion Wimbley, NT Gabe Watson, FSs Donte Whitner, and Ko Simpson. I believe the front runners for this selection are Carpenter and Wimbley. It is believed that free agent linebacker Akin Ayodele will play inside next to James, thus making OLB one of the biggest needs for us. Watson is a possibility because Parcells is no doubt intrigued by his physical attributes; not to mention there is a legitimate need for another nose tackle. Some places have us taking Watson in the 2nd. I will guarantee you he will be long gone by then. I believe the Dallas Cowboys will trade back to the late 1st or early 2nd and select OLB BOBBY CARPENTER. While I like Wimbley, I believe Carpenter is the better fit because he is more of an all-around linebacker. Wimbley is a one dimensional pass rusher much like Ware was last year. If you notice, most good 3-4 only have one of these largely one dimensional pass rushers. Pittsburgh has Clark Haggins opposite pass rushing menace Joey Porter. Haggins is equally effective rushing the passer, stopping the run, and covering a tight end. The same could be said for the Patriots who had Mike Vrabel and Roosevelt Colvin to compliment McGinest. Carpenter can be our Vrabel (perfect compliment to Ware). Carpenter is also a much safer pick than Wimbley who could just as easily be a big disappointment.Round 2: I believe the main priority in the 2nd round will be to select a free safety. The question however will be whether any of the great safeties (Whitner, Simpson, Allen, and Bullocks) will make it to their second pick. If none of these are available, then they will probably look for a guard. The only two who are good option here are Davin Joseph and Charles Spencer. I have serious doubts whether either of these guys will be available with this pick. I would be happy as long as we could get one of these six guys. It would really be awesome if we bagged an extra 2nd from the Round 1 trade back and were able to grab one from each group! If none of these six are available Dallas will likely try to trade back again. I haven't made up my mind completely on who I want at this pick. I love Daniel Bullocks and Davin Joseph, but I doubt they will make it to our pick. I don't believe there are any good options at OLB in the 2nd so if we don't get one in the 1st, we will have to wait.Round 3: This round's main priority will to be to draft at whatever position we haven't filled out of OLB, FS, and OG. They targets for this round include OLBs Kai Parham, Stanley McClover, and Mark Anderson, FSs Roman Harper, Anthony Smith, and Pat Watkins, and OGs Kevin Boothe and Jason Spitz. This pick depends on the need. I would probably take Parham at outside linebacker over the others. I believe Roman Harper is a must have in the 3rd if we haven't already drafted a safety. Pat Watkins has great potential, but he will struggle badly if asked to start immediately. Jason Spitz is similar to Peterman as a prospect. Boothe is a poor man's Charles Spencer. He is big, strong, athletic and can play both right tackle and guard. He is an interesting prospect to say the least. I hope this helped clarify the draft as far as the Cowboys go. I change my mind almost daily who I think we will draft, so I made this article to explain the possibilities and let you decide for yourself. |
