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IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys showed their confidence in two things Saturday -- free agency and Rob Ryan.
Following the selection of pick No. 252, the Cowboys ended the final day of the NFL Draft with eight new players, however, only two that line up on the defensive side of the ball.
"When we came in here, we thought this was a draft that was weighted more toward offense," Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones said. "Obviously, we can look, when it does come, at unrestricted free agents. We can fill holes in that regard, too."
The Cowboys surrendered the second most points of any NFL team in 2010 and allowed opponents to average 351.8 yards of offense per game.
Perhaps having confidence in a new defensive coordinator, Ryan, who joined the team in January, was another reason the Cowboys walked away from the draft with only two defensive players for the first time since 1962.
"It's a little different this year because the draft and free agency are flopped chronologically, but that process isn't over," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said. "We are certainly happy with Rob and what he can bring to our defense."
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones added: "We probably made some decisions in there that we might have decided that we'll address that in free agency."
Second round selection Bruce Carter, an inside linebacker, was the lone defensive player the Cowboys chose in the first three rounds.
Josh Thomas, a physical cornerback out of Buffalo, was the only defender they selected on the final day of the draft.
Thomas, who intercepted two passes during his collegiate career, was taken in the fifth round with the 143rd overall selection.
"The strength of his game is his physicality in run support," Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki wrote. "If he can bulk up, he might become a better safety than corner in the pros."
The Cedar Hill native is listed at 5-10, 195 pounds.
The other five selections on Saturday included guard David Arkin, wide receiver Dwayne Harris, fullback Shaun Chapas and center Bill Nagy.
Arkin, 6-5, 300 pounds, went in the fourth round, No. 110 overall.
Former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer said the Missouri State guard has "all of the qualities that it takes to be a big time starter in this league."
A slot receiver/punt returner was the pick in the sixth round. Harris, who went at No. 176, caught 101 balls as a senior at East Carolina.
"I talked to (the Cowboys) when I was in Indy for the combine," the 6-foot, 205-pounder said. "I felt they were really high on me as a special teams player."
Chapas (pick 220) and Nagy (252) went in the final round.
Jerry Jones said there was a serious debate about taking Chapas, a 6-2, 245-pounder from Georgia, a round earlier. In fact, he said of all their picks on Day 2, Chapas' availability surprised him most.
Nagy (6-3, 320) is a player that has lined up at both guard positions and center at Wisconsin. During a conference call at Valley Ranch, Nagy said center is the position he prefers.
"He jumps out at you when you watch him, with how he finishes and how he plays with some intensity and tenacity," Garrett said. "He's a very athletic guy, ran about as well as any interior lineman in the draft."
As far as meeting the other defensive needs, Stephen Jones further discussed targeting players through free agency.
"We have guys we like," he said. "I wouldn't say there is one guy in particular. We have guys. ... We like players on this team that we would like to re-sign."
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys showed their confidence in two things Saturday -- free agency and Rob Ryan.
Following the selection of pick No. 252, the Cowboys ended the final day of the NFL Draft with eight new players, however, only two that line up on the defensive side of the ball.
"When we came in here, we thought this was a draft that was weighted more toward offense," Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones said. "Obviously, we can look, when it does come, at unrestricted free agents. We can fill holes in that regard, too."
The Cowboys surrendered the second most points of any NFL team in 2010 and allowed opponents to average 351.8 yards of offense per game.
Perhaps having confidence in a new defensive coordinator, Ryan, who joined the team in January, was another reason the Cowboys walked away from the draft with only two defensive players for the first time since 1962.
"It's a little different this year because the draft and free agency are flopped chronologically, but that process isn't over," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said. "We are certainly happy with Rob and what he can bring to our defense."
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones added: "We probably made some decisions in there that we might have decided that we'll address that in free agency."
Second round selection Bruce Carter, an inside linebacker, was the lone defensive player the Cowboys chose in the first three rounds.
Josh Thomas, a physical cornerback out of Buffalo, was the only defender they selected on the final day of the draft.
Thomas, who intercepted two passes during his collegiate career, was taken in the fifth round with the 143rd overall selection.
"The strength of his game is his physicality in run support," Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki wrote. "If he can bulk up, he might become a better safety than corner in the pros."
The Cedar Hill native is listed at 5-10, 195 pounds.
The other five selections on Saturday included guard David Arkin, wide receiver Dwayne Harris, fullback Shaun Chapas and center Bill Nagy.
Arkin, 6-5, 300 pounds, went in the fourth round, No. 110 overall.
Former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer said the Missouri State guard has "all of the qualities that it takes to be a big time starter in this league."
A slot receiver/punt returner was the pick in the sixth round. Harris, who went at No. 176, caught 101 balls as a senior at East Carolina.
"I talked to (the Cowboys) when I was in Indy for the combine," the 6-foot, 205-pounder said. "I felt they were really high on me as a special teams player."
Chapas (pick 220) and Nagy (252) went in the final round.
Jerry Jones said there was a serious debate about taking Chapas, a 6-2, 245-pounder from Georgia, a round earlier. In fact, he said of all their picks on Day 2, Chapas' availability surprised him most.
Nagy (6-3, 320) is a player that has lined up at both guard positions and center at Wisconsin. During a conference call at Valley Ranch, Nagy said center is the position he prefers.
"He jumps out at you when you watch him, with how he finishes and how he plays with some intensity and tenacity," Garrett said. "He's a very athletic guy, ran about as well as any interior lineman in the draft."
As far as meeting the other defensive needs, Stephen Jones further discussed targeting players through free agency.
"We have guys we like," he said. "I wouldn't say there is one guy in particular. We have guys. ... We like players on this team that we would like to re-sign."
