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Jean-Jacques Taylor
Sporting News
An analytical look at the Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2011 NFL draft:
Team needs
1. Cornerback. Opposing quarterbacks had a 92.8 passer rating against the Cowboys with 33 touchdowns last year. At various times throughout the season, Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick struggled. A year ago, the Cowboys appeared to have quality depth and talent at cornerback, but now they need to add one because there’s a slim chance Newman (scheduled to earn $9 million next season) won’t be on the team. Dallas has no shot at LSU’s Patrick Peterson unless it moves up in the draft, but it should be able to draft Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara at No. 9.
2. Offensive tackle. Right tackle Marc Colombo plays as hard as anyone, but injuries and age have robbed him of his effectiveness. He allowed 40 quarterback pressures last season, along with 11 hits and nine sacks. He’s no longer capable of starting. There’s no tackle worth drafting at No. 9, but they could trade down and get any one of four tackles — USC’s Tyron Smith, Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo, Colorado’s Nate Solder and Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi — in the first round. This is a position that must be fortified in this draft. The Cowboys are high on Smith, but he might not be around in the middle of the first round.
3. Safety. The Cowboys could use players at both safety positions since neither Gerald Sensabaugh nor Alan Ball distinguished himself last season. Sensabaugh tied for the team lead with five interceptions and the Cowboys would like to have him back, but he's a free agent and could solicit a better offer from another club. The Cowboys aren't going to overpay to keep him. UCLA’s Rahim Moore is the best in the nation, and Oklahoma’s Quinton Carter can make plays. Florida’s Ahmad Black is a playmaker with a nose for the ball.
4. Nose tackle. The Cowboys have so many holes that they could go a number of ways in the first round, including Alabama’s Marcell Dareus, though it's doubtful he'll be available at No. 9. The Cowboys believe Jay Ratliff wears down in the second half of the season because he has to deal with constant double-teams and plays with such intensity. There’s some consideration to moving him to end and using a draft pick and Josh Brent to handle the nose tackle duties. Dareus could also play end in the 3-4. At 340 pounds, Baylor’s Phil Taylor fits the profile of the prototypical nose tackle.
5. Guard. There’s a good chance Dallas will need at least one guard because Kyle Kosier is an unrestricted free agent, though the Cowboys have said they'd like to retain him. There’s also been some talk that Dallas will ask Leonard Davis to take a pay cut. At worst, the Cowboys need depth at the position. There’s no need to take a guard in the first two rounds, but TCU’s Marcus Cannon or Lehigh’s William Rackley could be available. In the fourth or fifth round, Ohio State’s Justin Boren or Wisconsin’s John Moffitt look like solid targets.
6. Inside linebacker. Sean Lee, a second-round pick last year, should be ready to start, but the Cowboys need some quality depth behind Lee and Bradie James. It would be nice for them to find someone who’s good in coverage so James doesn’t have to be in more than 900 plays again this season. The Cowboys will be looking for thumpers such as Oregon’s Casey Matthews or Maryland’s Alex Wujciak.
Five-year history
The Cowboys’ inability to find solid contributors in the draft the past few seasons is among the reasons Dallas finished 6-10 in 2010. The past five drafts have netted just five starters and kicker David Buehler. Mike Jenkins is the only pick in the last five seasons to play in the Pro Bowl (2009), but he was awful in 2010.
The Cowboys must do a better job — not just with their premium draft picks and those players taken in the top three rounds, but also with their late-round picks. The draft is the lifeblood of any team, and too many times this franchise has nothing to show for all of the late-round picks it has used. It’s a disturbing trend that needs to stop.
2006: F
2007: B
2008: B+
2009: F
2010: D
Just one question
Which positions will the Cowboys target in the draft?
OLB DeMarcus Ware: “It doesn’t matter who we draft or what position we draft as long as we get a guy who can come in and contribute and make plays. The team that makes the most plays usually wins. The more guys who can make plays—like Dez (Bryant) last year—the better.”
Sporting News
An analytical look at the Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2011 NFL draft:
Team needs
1. Cornerback. Opposing quarterbacks had a 92.8 passer rating against the Cowboys with 33 touchdowns last year. At various times throughout the season, Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick struggled. A year ago, the Cowboys appeared to have quality depth and talent at cornerback, but now they need to add one because there’s a slim chance Newman (scheduled to earn $9 million next season) won’t be on the team. Dallas has no shot at LSU’s Patrick Peterson unless it moves up in the draft, but it should be able to draft Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara at No. 9.
2. Offensive tackle. Right tackle Marc Colombo plays as hard as anyone, but injuries and age have robbed him of his effectiveness. He allowed 40 quarterback pressures last season, along with 11 hits and nine sacks. He’s no longer capable of starting. There’s no tackle worth drafting at No. 9, but they could trade down and get any one of four tackles — USC’s Tyron Smith, Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo, Colorado’s Nate Solder and Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi — in the first round. This is a position that must be fortified in this draft. The Cowboys are high on Smith, but he might not be around in the middle of the first round.
3. Safety. The Cowboys could use players at both safety positions since neither Gerald Sensabaugh nor Alan Ball distinguished himself last season. Sensabaugh tied for the team lead with five interceptions and the Cowboys would like to have him back, but he's a free agent and could solicit a better offer from another club. The Cowboys aren't going to overpay to keep him. UCLA’s Rahim Moore is the best in the nation, and Oklahoma’s Quinton Carter can make plays. Florida’s Ahmad Black is a playmaker with a nose for the ball.
4. Nose tackle. The Cowboys have so many holes that they could go a number of ways in the first round, including Alabama’s Marcell Dareus, though it's doubtful he'll be available at No. 9. The Cowboys believe Jay Ratliff wears down in the second half of the season because he has to deal with constant double-teams and plays with such intensity. There’s some consideration to moving him to end and using a draft pick and Josh Brent to handle the nose tackle duties. Dareus could also play end in the 3-4. At 340 pounds, Baylor’s Phil Taylor fits the profile of the prototypical nose tackle.
5. Guard. There’s a good chance Dallas will need at least one guard because Kyle Kosier is an unrestricted free agent, though the Cowboys have said they'd like to retain him. There’s also been some talk that Dallas will ask Leonard Davis to take a pay cut. At worst, the Cowboys need depth at the position. There’s no need to take a guard in the first two rounds, but TCU’s Marcus Cannon or Lehigh’s William Rackley could be available. In the fourth or fifth round, Ohio State’s Justin Boren or Wisconsin’s John Moffitt look like solid targets.
6. Inside linebacker. Sean Lee, a second-round pick last year, should be ready to start, but the Cowboys need some quality depth behind Lee and Bradie James. It would be nice for them to find someone who’s good in coverage so James doesn’t have to be in more than 900 plays again this season. The Cowboys will be looking for thumpers such as Oregon’s Casey Matthews or Maryland’s Alex Wujciak.
Five-year history
The Cowboys’ inability to find solid contributors in the draft the past few seasons is among the reasons Dallas finished 6-10 in 2010. The past five drafts have netted just five starters and kicker David Buehler. Mike Jenkins is the only pick in the last five seasons to play in the Pro Bowl (2009), but he was awful in 2010.
The Cowboys must do a better job — not just with their premium draft picks and those players taken in the top three rounds, but also with their late-round picks. The draft is the lifeblood of any team, and too many times this franchise has nothing to show for all of the late-round picks it has used. It’s a disturbing trend that needs to stop.
2006: F
2007: B
2008: B+
2009: F
2010: D
Just one question
Which positions will the Cowboys target in the draft?
OLB DeMarcus Ware: “It doesn’t matter who we draft or what position we draft as long as we get a guy who can come in and contribute and make plays. The team that makes the most plays usually wins. The more guys who can make plays—like Dez (Bryant) last year—the better.”