Predicting Starters at Every Position for Dallas Cowboys in 2012

The 2012 Dallas Cowboys should look drastically different than the 2011 version. There will be new bodies in the defensive backfield as well as the offensive line. There may be a new defensive end, and who knows, even a new nose tackle.

For the Cowboys, it will be important for the team to develop a voracious defensive pass-rush and a sustainable run game. If Dallas is able to do both, then I believe the team has a real shot at winning a title. That may be blue sky, as the Cowboys have other issues, but it is a small step toward making real progress.

Before the NFL draft and free agency, I have a list of possibilities for the Cowboys' starting group of players.

Here is my pre-draft, pre-free agency list.

Offense

Quarterback: Tony Romo—This is a no-brainer, unless the Cowboys make a serious play for Peyton Manning, which they won’t. I have a feeling that fans will not appreciate Tony’s play until he’s long gone. He is a heck of a quarterback, but until fans see him take the Cowboys to the Super Bowl, it is all for naught.

Romo had a great year in 2011, registering a quarterback rating of 102 and throwing for over 4,000 passing yards and 31 touchdowns. He is the guy to take Dallas forward in 2012 and beyond.

Running Back: DeMarco Murray—Before his devastating ankle injury, Murray was on his way to an unforgettable rookie season. Even before the injury, Murray was having a fantastic year.

He ran for 253 yards against the Rams and finished the season with a per rush average of 5.5. He is a great running back and the Cowboys should have a tenacious rush attack in 2012.

Wide Receivers: Dez Bryant, Miles Austin—If these two guys remain healthy in 2012, the Cowboys will have a great offensive year. Bryant needs to remain focused on the playbook and Austin's hamstrings need to stay stretched.

Both are extremely talented receivers, and if both are firing on all cylinders, the Cowboys will have a great chance of winning the division.

Offensive Line: LT, Tyron Smith, LG, Derrick Dockery, C, Kevin Kowalski, RG, Kyle Kosier, RT, Doug Free—Do I believe Dockery and Kosier will be starters or even on the team in 2012? Perhaps. Do I believe the Cowboys will try to find new talent at both positions? Most definitely.

If Dallas has any chance of winning anything next season, it will have to upgrade the talent on the offensive front. Tyron Smith is a great start, but Dallas needs four more of him.

I can even take keeping Kosier because he is such a great mentor, but I have no doubt in my mind that team owner Jerry Jones will upgrade his talent up front.

Tight End: Jason Witten—No worries at this position for the Cowboys. Witten is an All-Pro, All-World type of tight end. My only fear, and I don't want to jinx him, is that he can't keep this type of injury-free play up for much longer.

Dallas needs a viable second option just in case the nine-year veteran goes down or his production slips. Nevertheless, he is still one of the league's top tight ends.

Defense

Defensive Line: LE, Vinny Curry, NT, Rookie or free agent, RE, Jay Ratliff—I think that this is the year that Ratliff moves to left end or right end. The Cowboys need a big, burly body at nose tackle, and while Ratliff plays well at that position, he will probably be better served as an end.

If the Cowboys are able to grab Marshall's Vinny Curry, a fantastic pass-rusher and 300-pounder, to plug the middle, their defense should be that much better under coordinator Rob Ryan.

Linebackers: LOutside, Anthony Spencer, LInside, Bruce Carter, RInside, Sean Lee, ROutside, DeMarcus Ware—Watch and see how the Cowboys linebacking corps becomes one of the league's best.

Ware is at the top of his game, Sean Lee is coming into his own as a star and Bruce Carter will have a great 2012. If the Cowboys decide to bring Anthony Spencer back, he will still have decent numbers.

I believe the key to their success is placing pressure on the quarterback, as well as a nice group of athletic linebackers.

Defensive Backfield: LC, Rookie or Free Agent, SS, Rookie or Free Agent, FS, Gerald Sensabaugh, RC, Mike Jenkins—Newman will be released, mark my words, and no way do the Cowboys keep Abe Elam or Scandrick at left corner.

I believe Jones will hold on to Scandrick for depth and nickel formations, but he will not start. Elam was a stopgap solution for the Cowboys because he supposedly knew Rob Ryan's system. Yeah, how well did that work out for them?

Look for a bunch of new faces for Dallas in the secondary in 2012.