2012 NFL Draft Preview: Dallas Cowboys
By Bo Martin
The Dallas Cowboys have been, if not the most, one of the most active teams in free agency this year. While they haven’t acquired too many “Big” names they have acquired a few players who will be able to add depth and more than likely compete for some starting positions. This has left many Cowboys fans wondering which direction the Cowboys will be heading in the draft.
While a month ago players like DeCastro and Kirkpatrick were clear picks, the picture has gotten fuzzy. Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones seem pretty intent on drafting the best player available, but I don’t know that they will be able to do that. The Cowboys still have needs, that’s the bottom line, the defensive line could use a serious upgrade while the safety position has needed an upgrade for the past 6 years or so.
I’ve compiled a list of players the Cowboys should target in the first round, ill discuss why they’re a good pick for America’s Team.
Fletcher Cox:
It seems that the Cowboys are going to stay with the 3-4 scheme. If that’s truly the case they need to upgrade the talent on the defensive line, specifically the pass rush. Fletcher Cox is 6’4, 298 and plays bigger than he is. He is a strong player with good explosion and can play any spot on the line.
Cox is thought to still be able to put on another 15 pounds or so, which could really solidify him as a top d-line prospect. He is a good tackler and can get to the QB as well as stop the run. He might not be the best player available at the time but he’ll be the player that is safest in the Cowboys defensive scheme.
Mark Barron:
Barron is the only elite safety prospect in this draft. He plays the game with speed, intensity, and leadership. Barron is the type of player who can be the defensive leader of a team for years and should absolutely be considered here for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have been missing a game changing safety since Darren Woodson and need one bad to fix that horrible secondary. Barron has good range, good instincts, and is solid in the run game. A product of Alabama’s famed defense, Barron has good size and acceleration. There are some questions about his health and he has to learn a little more about man coverage and proper angles.
The idea here is that Barron would be available in the lower part of the first, which could mean if someone like Michael Floyd is available a WR hungry team could make the move up for him and the Cowboys would be willing to deal. This would allow the Cowboys to get an extra pick and a player they like.
David DeCastro:
While the Cowboys signed two guards, neither are considered elite or even top tier. David DeCastro is widely considered the best pure guard prospect in a long time. DeCastro is fluid on his feet, has a good center of gravity, and is athletic enough to pull and play effectively at the second level.
Last year the Cowboys struck gold with Tyron Smith in the first round and there is definitely a calling from fans to stick with what works. DeCastro would immediately anchor the interior line and get the Cowboys headed in the direction they were in the 90’s. If the Cowboys are serious about DeMarco Murray and game managing football, DeCastro is a brilliant choice.
Peter Konz:
Konz is a legitimate prospect at center and my reasoning here is similar to that of why they should draft DeCastro. The difference is that if the Cowboys believe in the guards that they just signed and drafted last season, then Konz is a better pick. Last year snaps flew over Tony Romo’s head, costing them important series’ in those games.
Konz is a hard working football guy who could really serve as a career Cowboy lineman. He is big, strong and has an incredible center of gravity. He is strong in both run blocking and pass blocking and is quick off the snap. Konz is another prospect that will be available lower in the first and could offer the Cowboys some additional picks.
While I’m not saying that these are the only prospects that fit for the Cowboys, I do think that they are the best. A lot of people are big on guys like Dontari Poe and Michael Brockers, but you need to recognize how they fit into the schemes. The Cowboys are in a mode of competitively rebuilding, they need to make smart, safe moves to maintain competition while initiating a youth movement. I think these are guys you can really be excited about putting on the star.