2012 NFL Draft: Day 3 Prospects Who Could Solidify the Cowboys' Roster

The Dallas Cowboys are entering a critical part of their current offseason, but it's also the time of year that teams begin to hatch their plans for what lies ahead. 

Thirty organizations have already begun the arduous and difficult task that began the day players cleaned out their lockers, said their goodbyes and left their team's facility with a feeling of finality to the 2011 season. 

For some players, it will be onto a new organization—or not—and for others it will simply be their last game played. Unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboys were one of those 30 organizations who closed the book on their season on January 1st. 

 Many questions still surround the circumstances of what went wrong, but like anything else in life you need to move forward and find solutions. The Cowboys will have to come up with those answers, and that process is well under way. 

Attrition in the NFL is inevitable for all teams under the current labor structure, but it's the great teams that find a way to minimize it. That's simply what the Cowboys must do as they ponder their own free agents, potential free agent acquisitions and draft picks.  

I feel that an efficient and economical way to deal with roster turnover is by building through the draft on Day 3. Rounds five through seven have been a thorn in the side of this franchise, and quite frankly, the draft picks have made me want to throw up bile. 

From the 2007 to the 2011 draft, the Cowboys have selected 20 players between round five to seven.  Of the 20 players, eight are on the current roster and one starts, Orlando Scandrick, as he's technically a 2012 starter. That gives you a 40 percent success rate with one starter. 

Oh, by the way, he gave up a huge play on the last game of the year. 

With the exception of the 2011 draft, only Alan Ball, Orlando Scandrick, David Beuhler, John Phillips and Sean Lissemore are on the current roster. Harris, Chapas and Nagy came from the 2011 draft and don't look like long-term solutions. 

Compare that to the Giants, who have drafted 18 players in those rounds and have 12 of those picks on the roster—that's a 61 percent success rate, accounting for multiple starters and key contributors. 

I want to highlight some late round prospects the Cowboys should consider that would help solidify this roster position by position.

Quarterback

1. Brock Osweiler, Arizona St:

He left after his junior year, but with tremendous size (6'8"), he could be a late-round steal who could sit and develop a few years under Romo. He also has a huge arm.

2. Chandler Harnish, N. Illinois:

This late rounder possesses toughness and isn't afraid to make plays with his feet. He would be a bit of a project, as he needs to develop his all around game. A great athlete.

Running Back

1. Tauren Poole, Tennessee:

I've watched him play extensively, as I am a Vols fan. I see a little of the Tashard Choice we saw as a rookie in him, but Poole is more elusive. He's a nice complementary back who would provide depth and competition for Tanner.

2. Bernard Pierce, Temple:

I saw him play against Wyoming in their bowl game—and I came away impressed. Not a big back but good in between the tackles and solid. And like Poole, he would battle it out with Tanner.

Offensive Line

1. Phillip Blake, Baylor:

He's a center who the Cowboys could use to develop. 

He plays with some power and would fit in with the power running game Dallas plans on doing with Murray. He could be versatile enough to play guard as well and fill a roster spot, with Holland and Dockery likely out of the mix.

2. Nate Potter, Boise St.:

This tackle helped to open up holes for Doug Martin and would be a great fit in the fifth round. He could develop and also push Jeremy Parnell for the swing tackle position.

He's a better athlete than Sam Young was.

Tight End

1. Evan Rodriguez, Temple:

He's very versatile and would help out as a backup tight end, H-back and special teamer. 

He can do a little bit of everything and would have a very good shot at making the team if they don't sign a veteran or draft someone on Day 2 (LaDarius Green).

Receiver

1. Eric Page, Toledo:

Not the biggest guy by any means, but great in the return game. 

I've watched a lot of MAAC football this year, and at times he was dominant. He could be used like the Patriots use Welker, and would probably have to battle with Dwayne Harris for a roster spot.

2. BJ Cunningham, Mich St./Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma:

Cunningham doesn't have blazing speed but is a productive receiver who is physical enough to catch passes in a tight area. Broyles, who would be coming off ACL surgery, played with Landry Jones and was his prime target.  

He could sit a year and develop into a solid slot receiver. Both of them would be an upgrade over the bottom half of the receiving corps.

Defensive Line

1. Jaye Howard, Florida:

He's a versatile lineman who can back up at end or tackle, provide depth and would push for a roster spot.

2. Malik Jackson, Tennessee:

Going back to watching all my Tennessee games, I can see that he can play end, is a terrific athlete and gets after the passer. He's very productive in the brutal SEC and could replace Kenyon Coleman.

Linebackers

1. Emmanuel Acho, Texas:

He could play outside or inside, provide depth and be a future starter. Very versatile and athletically gifted, he would provide depth at both spots.

2. Tank Carder, TCU:

We have another kid from a Texas school. He's not going to be a great cover linebacker, but his intensity and sound tackling make for a solid late-round pickup. 

With Brooking and James leaving, he could easily battle for a roster spot.

Defensive Backs

1. Robert Blanton, Notre Dame:

Sticking with the need for physical players in the secondary, Blanton fits the bill. He has good size at 6'0" and is not afraid to press.

2. Keith Tandy, West Virginia:

At slightly under 6'0", he makes up for size with tenacity. I saw him play against Clemson in their bowl game, where he displayed good press coverage ability. 

He has improved every year at West Virginia and could be a solid fourth corner as a replacement for Alan Ball, as would Blanton.

3. Janzen Jackson, formerly Tennessee:

Yes, I'm going to the well again. 

He had off-the-field problems and was kicked off the team but has turned things around and wound up at McNeese St. 

This player has the makings of a tremendous steal. With good size and toughness, he's not afraid to hit, and he could play either safety spot. 

He would be in competition with Church and McCray for a roster spot with a bigger upside.

Those are my Day 3 targets that would, in all cases, help protect the bottom of the roster, provide an upgrade and fill needs. With the competition so close in the NFL, the stakes so high, and the window of opportunity so brief, sometimes your most valuable contributors come in the later rounds. 

While Jerry Jones is sitting somewhere watching the Super Bowl this weekend, he needs to ask himself one question: Are we doing our best on Day 3? Judging by the numbers, I would say not. 

Keep these names in mind on April 28th.