NFL Draft 2012: 5 Positions the Dallas Cowboys Must Address

The Dallas Cowboys have about two months to decide their strategy for the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft in April. There are holes to fill on the offensive line and secondary, as well as reloading on special teams and adding depth for training camp.

While their starting quarterback, Tony Romo, is playing the final round at Pebble Beach with Tiger Woods, his front office is anticipating how to attack those holes in the draft.

With their "America's Team" label under scrutiny at every turn, they need a good draft to keep pace in the NFC East. Not only are expectations high, but the division-rival and defending champion New York Giants will stand in the way of any title run.

Here are five areas of need the Cowboys should address in the draft.   

Backup QB

Stephen McGee showed flashes of being a solid NFL QB in 2010. He filled in admirably for the injured Romo and Jon Kitna, and if it wasn't for David Buehler, he might have a few more wins on his NFL resume. 

The Cowboys confidence in him won't be revealed by drafting a QB in rounds 5-7; if they do it will be to create some competition for the day Romo is no longer trotting out with the first unit.

There are several attractive options projected to go late in the draft that could appeal to general manager Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett. 28-year-old Brandon Weeden might be around after the fourth round since his situation is more unique than most.

Houston's Case Keenum, Wisconsin's Russell Wilson and even a guy like Northern Illinois' Chandler Harnish might be options to come in as the number three QB going into training camp.  

Backup OT

Currently, Doug Free, Tyron Smith and Jeremy Parnell are the only offensive tackles on the roster. Parnell is an exclusive rights free agent, meaning the Cowboys have the inside track on re-signing him, while Free and Smith are the mainstays at the ends for the foreseeable future.

Since the starters are being considered for a position swap, depth is going to be key. Smith could be protecting Romo's blindside, with Free going back to a less pressured role on the right side. 

The Cowboys need insurance for both. Parnell is raw, yet athletic, but not ready to contribute on a week-to-week basis. 

Auburn's Brandon Mosley and Ole Miss' Bradley Sowell could be available in the middle rounds. Both guys measure higher than 6'5" and heavier than 300 lbs. Either SEC tackle could come into camp and compete with whoever the Cowboys choose to bring in through free agency at the position. 

OLB

In this 3-4 system, Dallas hasn't had a consistent presence that can get to the QB opposite DeMarcus Ware since Greg Ellis.

Ellis walked away to make room for Anthony Spencer. Spencer, while consistent against the run and able to stay healthy, hasn't produced the type of sack totals the Cowboys expect (21.5 to Ware's 80 in five seasons).

Considering the double-teams and chip blocks Ware sees each week, that's not going to cut it. Ronnell Lewis from Oklahoma or Andre Branch from Clemson could be options in the second round. Each were DE/OLB combos at their colleges, and a dose of fresh blood at the position might be just what Dallas needs, even if they decide to keep Spencer in free agency.  

ILB

Sean Lee emerged as the best linebacker on the roster in 2011. Keith Brooking and Bradie James had their moments, but age and injury seem to have gotten the better of the two former Cowboy captains.

Rookie Bruce Carter wasn't able to make a consistent impact due to his injury, but the flashes of his pure talent on special teams is enough to give Dallas hope for his future alongside Lee in the starting lineup. Brooking and James are both unrestricted free agents; bringing back both would be unrealistic.

That being said, Lee and Carter will need some depth behind them. Two interesting names to float out are the two local prospects from TCU, LBs Tank Carder and Tanner Brock. Each are middle round talent, and might be available in rounds three through five, if the Cowboys pull the trigger on a linebacker.   

Nickel CB

The talent and need seems to be there for the Cowboys to draft a cornerback in round one. Terence Newman's days seem to be numbered, and while Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick are the starters right now, injury and inconsistency could force someone else to step up in 2012. 

The popular pick seems to be North Alabama and former Florida corner Janoris Jenkins, who has character issues clouding his otherwise first-round potential.

If they don't decide to take a corner in round one, the talent is still there later on, with South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore and my sleeper pick, Texas A&M's Coryell Judie. 

Secondary is a major concern heading into year two of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's system. With an athletic, young corner, they can rebuild and give Ryan another talent to build around while improving a defense that has the talent to be better than middle of the pack.