sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Wide Open
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: As the April 28-30 NFL Draft approaches, DallasCowboys.com's 12-part Draft Series will analyze every position, the Cowboys' needs at each, who might be available for their eight picks and some interesting draft nuggets. Part 4 will feature wide receivers.)
Position Outlook: At first glance, the Cowboys don't have a glaring need at wide receiver.
Miles Austin's production dipped a bit last year, but he's still a legit No. 1 option coming off a second straight Pro Bowl appearance. Even in an injury-shortened rookie season, Dez Bryant emerged as a dynamic starting-caliber player. And although Roy Williams has only 94 catches in two and a half seasons in Dallas, he's still capable of making plays as a third or fourth option - and it's quite possible his long-term contract will keep him around for 2011, anyway.
But Bryant (fractured fibula) and third-year wideout Kevin Ogletree (toe surgery) are coming off season-ending injuries, and although both are expected to make full recoveries, their rehabs have been complicated by the NFL lockout terms that prohibit injured players from receiving treatment at team facilities. Williams' modest production and role have generated speculation about his future in Dallas. Jesse Holley thrived on special teams but not on offense. And Sam Hurd, the Cowboys' special teams captain and steady backup receiver since 2006, was not tendered a restricted free agent offer.
Even if Hurd does eventually re-sign, it's clear the Cowboys should explore adding some depth at the position - as injury insurance if nothing else.
Draft Prospects: Georgia's A.J. Green and Alabama's Julio Jones are widely regarded as this year's top prospects, both likely to go in the top 15. The Cowboys are picking ninth but seem unlikely to take a receiver in the first round for a consecutive year after happily selecting Bryant - easily a top-10 talent in 2010 who dropped following an NCAA suspension for eligibility violations - with the 24th overall pick.
The Cowboys have so many potential position targets - offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back - that some might not be filled by their eight draft choices. But it's conceivable they could devote a pick to a young receiver - preferably one with return or special teams coverage skills - starting on Day 2.
Pittsburgh's Jonathan Baldwin, a pre-draft visitor to the Cowboys and several other teams, is an athletic wideout with top speed for his size (6-4, 225). He should go in the first two rounds. TCU's Jeremy Kerley and Abilene Christian's Edmund Gates are speedy local products with return skills. Boise State's Austin Pettis is a big, sure-handed receiver from a precise offensive system.
In the late rounds, Ohio State's Dane Sanzenbacher and Tennessee's Denarius Moore could make someone's roster as special teams workers.
Eventual Available Vets: Once a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is settled and free agency can start, the potential list of unrestricted free agents has star power: Randy Moss, James Jones, Malcom Floyd, Vincent Jackson, Steve Smith, Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, Sidney Rice and, ahem, Terrell Owens.
None, however, would seem to fit the Cowboys' plans. Austin and Bryant look like the future right now, Williams is still around and Ogletree has a chance to develop. There's no room for a veteran receiver seeking ace money.
The next tier of free agents - veterans who could help on special teams - includes Rashied Davis, Devin Aromashodu and Chansi Stuckey.
Draft Nuggets: Gates' uncle is former Cowboys running back/wide receiver James Dixon, and current Bengals running back Bernard Scott is his cousin … Pettis' uncle, Gary, is the current first base coach for the Texas Rangers and a former Gold Glove major leaguer … Randall Cobb, Kentucky's quarterback/receiver/returner, is cousins with former Chargers tight end Shannon Mitchell.
Look Back: Bob Hayes was always a champion - first in the Olympics, then the Super Bowl.
Arguably the most dynamic receiver in Cowboys history started out as a two-time gold medalist in the 1964 Olympics, earning the title "World's Fastest Man" after tying the world record (10.06) in the 100-meter dash and running the anchor leg of the 400-meter relay.
Drafted by the Cowboys in the seventh round that year, he would go on to play 11 seasons and was a member of the Super Bowl VI team. One of the most productive receivers in franchise history revolutionized the sport with his speed. Teams began using zone defenses because he was too tough a cover for one man.
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: As the April 28-30 NFL Draft approaches, DallasCowboys.com's 12-part Draft Series will analyze every position, the Cowboys' needs at each, who might be available for their eight picks and some interesting draft nuggets. Part 4 will feature wide receivers.)
Position Outlook: At first glance, the Cowboys don't have a glaring need at wide receiver.
Miles Austin's production dipped a bit last year, but he's still a legit No. 1 option coming off a second straight Pro Bowl appearance. Even in an injury-shortened rookie season, Dez Bryant emerged as a dynamic starting-caliber player. And although Roy Williams has only 94 catches in two and a half seasons in Dallas, he's still capable of making plays as a third or fourth option - and it's quite possible his long-term contract will keep him around for 2011, anyway.
But Bryant (fractured fibula) and third-year wideout Kevin Ogletree (toe surgery) are coming off season-ending injuries, and although both are expected to make full recoveries, their rehabs have been complicated by the NFL lockout terms that prohibit injured players from receiving treatment at team facilities. Williams' modest production and role have generated speculation about his future in Dallas. Jesse Holley thrived on special teams but not on offense. And Sam Hurd, the Cowboys' special teams captain and steady backup receiver since 2006, was not tendered a restricted free agent offer.
Even if Hurd does eventually re-sign, it's clear the Cowboys should explore adding some depth at the position - as injury insurance if nothing else.
Draft Prospects: Georgia's A.J. Green and Alabama's Julio Jones are widely regarded as this year's top prospects, both likely to go in the top 15. The Cowboys are picking ninth but seem unlikely to take a receiver in the first round for a consecutive year after happily selecting Bryant - easily a top-10 talent in 2010 who dropped following an NCAA suspension for eligibility violations - with the 24th overall pick.
The Cowboys have so many potential position targets - offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back - that some might not be filled by their eight draft choices. But it's conceivable they could devote a pick to a young receiver - preferably one with return or special teams coverage skills - starting on Day 2.
Pittsburgh's Jonathan Baldwin, a pre-draft visitor to the Cowboys and several other teams, is an athletic wideout with top speed for his size (6-4, 225). He should go in the first two rounds. TCU's Jeremy Kerley and Abilene Christian's Edmund Gates are speedy local products with return skills. Boise State's Austin Pettis is a big, sure-handed receiver from a precise offensive system.
In the late rounds, Ohio State's Dane Sanzenbacher and Tennessee's Denarius Moore could make someone's roster as special teams workers.
Eventual Available Vets: Once a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is settled and free agency can start, the potential list of unrestricted free agents has star power: Randy Moss, James Jones, Malcom Floyd, Vincent Jackson, Steve Smith, Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, Sidney Rice and, ahem, Terrell Owens.
None, however, would seem to fit the Cowboys' plans. Austin and Bryant look like the future right now, Williams is still around and Ogletree has a chance to develop. There's no room for a veteran receiver seeking ace money.
The next tier of free agents - veterans who could help on special teams - includes Rashied Davis, Devin Aromashodu and Chansi Stuckey.
Draft Nuggets: Gates' uncle is former Cowboys running back/wide receiver James Dixon, and current Bengals running back Bernard Scott is his cousin … Pettis' uncle, Gary, is the current first base coach for the Texas Rangers and a former Gold Glove major leaguer … Randall Cobb, Kentucky's quarterback/receiver/returner, is cousins with former Chargers tight end Shannon Mitchell.
Look Back: Bob Hayes was always a champion - first in the Olympics, then the Super Bowl.
Arguably the most dynamic receiver in Cowboys history started out as a two-time gold medalist in the 1964 Olympics, earning the title "World's Fastest Man" after tying the world record (10.06) in the 100-meter dash and running the anchor leg of the 400-meter relay.
Drafted by the Cowboys in the seventh round that year, he would go on to play 11 seasons and was a member of the Super Bowl VI team. One of the most productive receivers in franchise history revolutionized the sport with his speed. Teams began using zone defenses because he was too tough a cover for one man.
