2011 Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Needs
Following an incredibly disappointing 2010 campaign, the Dallas Cowboys are looking to make some noise when they go on the clock with the ninth overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at their biggest needs and how those needs might be addressed on draft day.
1. Defensive End: Dallas has a premier pass rusher in linebacker DeMarcus Ware, but it needs help up front on the outsides of its three-man front. Marcus Spears and Igor Olshansky just didn’t get the job done last year. Spears didn’t record one sack in eight games before missing the rest of the season with a calf injury. Olshansky went without a sack the entire season. Also, Spears, Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher played the 2010 season on one-year contracts. This is a position Jerry Jones wants to see more production out of, which means he could be inclined to take a defensive end with the ninth overall pick. Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers may still be on the board if his knee injury scares off some teams picking ahead of Dallas and he may be worth the risk. If Dallas doesn’t think he is worth the risk this early, they could play it safer by taking a player like Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt. He’s 290 pounds with a good initial burst and a great motor. He also has a high football IQ.
2. Offensive Tackle: The Cowboys might also choose to spend their top pick on an eventual blindside protector for quarterback Tony Romo. Four of the five offensive line starters at the end of last year will be entering at least their 10th season in the league. It may be time to add a little youth. At pick No. 9. Dallas will likely have a shot at USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith. He has more upside than any other tackle prospect in the class and could potentially start at right tackle right away before eventually moving to the left side. This isn’t the thrill pick that wide receiver Dez Bryant was last year, but it would fill a definite need. With a franchise quarterback like Romo, protecting him is a must.
3. Cornerback: The Dallas secondary has been slipping for some time. The Cowboys ranked just 26th against the pass last year and only hauled in 20 interceptions. Mike Jenkins only intercepted one pass last season and Terence Newman has already played his best football. With this in mind, the Cowboys might take this opportunity to grab a top notch cover corner. They would take LSU’s Patrick Peterson if he happened to fall, but Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara appears to be a more plausible option at No. 9. Because of Peterson, he’s not getting as much attention as he deserves. He’s 6-foot, 206 pounds with top-end speed, and I project him as a Pro Bowler.
4. Inside Linebacker: With Keith Brooking and Bradie James entering their 14th and ninth seasons respectively, the Cowboys will think about taking an inside backer in one of the latter rounds of the draft. LSU’s Kelvin Sheppard may be an option.
More NFL Draft Needs