2012 NFL Draft: 5 Offensive Stars Dallas Cowboys Can't Pass Up

The Cowboys certainly know that their needs early in the draft will be defense. That doesn't mean that the offense didn't have its own troubles, and there is plenty of room for improvement.  

If the Cowboys were to look for offense in the draft, here are five players who could instantly compete for playing time.  

LaMichael James

Running Back, Oregon

The Cowboys had issues keeping their backs healthy last year. Demarco Murray was a great pick up in last years draft, but he suffered a broken ankle late in the season. Felix Jones has proved he can make big plays but can't ever stay healthy. Sammy Morris was picked up late in the season just because they had no one else.  

This is where James would be a good pick if the Cowboys could find him in the right round. He is undersized, but has big play ability and is simply hard to tackle. He is similar to Jones in speed, but has more ability to create bigger plays. James could also have an impact on special teams.   

James would be a nice addition to the Cowboys' backfield.  

Orson Charles

Tight End, Georgia 

The Cowboys aren't likely to retain Martellus Bennett for next year, and having another tight end opposite of Jason Witten sounds appealing. Jason Garrett should take notice of a few teams that utilize the two tight end offense to success (like the Patriots).  

Bigger, athletic tight ends like Charles create matchup problems for opposing defenses. Depending on how he performs in the combine, Charles could go as high as the first round or fall down to the fourth.  

It would be a steal if the Cowboys could pick him up on day two or three of the draft.  

Jarius Wright

Wide Receiver, Arkansas

I know, the Cowboys are loaded at wide receiver with Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and the emergence of Laurent Robinson. But there is always room for improvement on an 8-8 squad, and the draft is the best place to get value in the later rounds.  

All Jarius Wright does is catch passes. He set the Razorbacks team record for receptions in a career with 168, with 24 touchdowns. He will fit into more of a slot receiver role in the pros.

Wright would instantly become one of Tony Romo's favorite targets.  

Brandon Washington

Offensive Guard, Miami (FL)

The Cowboys got by with a patch work offensive line last year, but it buckled under pressure in the last few games (especially against the Giants in the finale). Tyron Smith was a great pickup in the first round of the draft last year, but there wasn't enough depth on the line overall to be an efficient one.   

Brandon Washington played both guard and tackle at Miami. Like Smith, Washington is also an athletic prospect, a trait Jerry Jones salivates over.  

He could easily win a starting spot in training camp.  

Alshon Jeffery

Wide Receiver, South Carolina

Jeffery may be a little out of the Cowboys reach in terms of what they are looking for in the draft, but he is certainly Jerry Jones' type. At 6'4" 229 pounds, that's nearly Calvin Johnson status. Jeffery is projected as a first-round prospect as of now, but his stats regressed last season and he could have a lackluster combine.  

If the Jeffery somehow slips down to day two, the Cowboys might have to pull the trigger on him.