2012 Senior Bowl: 5 Prospects the Dallas Cowboys Should Target

As a fan it stinks when you are forced to look toward future events for the slightest glimmer of hope. For the Dallas Cowboys, this has been their reality for the past couple of seasons as they have been bounced from playoff contention for two straight seasons. There is the 2012 Senior Bowl, the National Football League combine and the NFL Draft that fans can look forward to for some type of hope.

The Senior Bowl takes place in Mobile, Alabama on Jan. 28 at 3pm CST. If team owner Jerry Jones doesn't attend himself, the Cowboys will surely send a scout or two down to take a look at some of the players.

So with the idea of providing some type of hope to Cowboys fans, here are five prospects the Cowboys should take a look at during the Senior Bowl.

D’Anton Lynn, CB, Penn State

Lynn is described as just average by some scouts. He doesn't necessarily stand out in the crowd, but he'll have his chance to show off in the Senior Bowl.

He had 45 tackles this past season with one interception. I know that the Cowboys are looking for more production out of the cornerback position next season, and one interception will not cut it. But he has potential, a nice size (6'1" 200 pounds) and runs a 4.49 in the 40.

Lynn is a projected fifth-rounder and would add nice depth to Dallas' defensive backfield.

George Iloka, CB, Boise State

Here is the thing with Iloka. He's a very average defensive back, and the best case scenario for him in 2012 is special teams and maybe nickel coverage.

But we are looking at Senior Bowl prospects, and if he has a great showing, he could improve his stock in the draft by at least a round or maybe two.

He has nice size at 6'3" and 214 pounds, and he is speedy as he ran a 4.42 in the 40. Dallas needs depth, and with Dave Campo gone and a new secondary coach coming in, he may find the right guy to give him the correct type of guidance.

Matt McCants, OT, UAB

McCants has massive size as he stands at 6'7" and almost 300 pounds. Well, I meant height wise he has massive size.

He's an athletic player who played left tackle at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Dallas is in the process of remaking its offensive line, and McCants could become a part of that process.

He's a projected seventh-rounder, so a good performance in the Senior Bowl is vital to his position in the draft.

Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt

Hayward may go as high as the second round, and depending on where the Cowboys look in the first round, Hayward may not be an option. He also may be gone by the time Dallas picks in the draft.

At any rate, this guy Hayward seems to be the type of player Dallas needs. He's aggressive, confident, durable and will actual tackle the guy with the ball.

Jaye Howard, DT, Florida

Another underachieving guy who could add depth to the Cowboys line. He will not blow you away on the line and disappeared in key games.

I'm under the belief that if Dallas is able to add a few rotational players who can add a few impact plays, each game this will give them thorough depth on the defensive side of the ball.

Howard is 300 pounds and runs a 4.9 in the 40. He may be worth a shot.