NFL Combine 2012: 10 Prospects to Watch If Cowboys Feeling Offensive

The 2012 NFL scouting combine is underway in Indianapolis, and the Dallas Cowboys organization should be sitting front row.  With the Super Bowl behind us and the 2012 offseason in full swing, the combine is the prelude to free agency and the draft. 

This offseason will be an interesting one for the Cowboys, as they try to fill their many needs after coming off yet another disappointing season.  Cornerback, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and safety are the primary needs of this team, with the first two mentioned positions being the greatest. 

But suppose the Cowboys are feeling offensive and adopt a strategy where they feel that they shouldn't just limit themselves to addressing their needs on defense and offensive line. 

Remember, Jerry Jones does like to make a bit of a splash, and he does covet talented offensive players.  If they are feeling in an offensive mood, then they should be prepared.  Here are some prospects to keep an eye on who, if targeted at the combine and drafted, could actually make sense for this team.    

Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State

If the Cowboys are going to keep some offensive players on their radar, you might as well start at quarterback.  I still very much expect the Cowboys to address backup QB in free agency, but the questions surrounding McGee and the need to think about the future might just push the Cowboys in the direction to at least entertain the thought of drafting a quarterback. 

Brock Osweiler is an intriguing prospect who stands 6'7", has a big arm and is deceptively mobile for a QB his size.  He's only had one full year of starting at Arizona State, but this is a prospect with tremendous upside who the Cowboys can afford to let sit a few years. 

He had over 4,000 yards passing and 26 touchdowns this past year for ASU.  His upside alone will draw teams to think about him as a Day 2 prospect.  It's hard to ignore someone with that size who can throw with velocity. 

Probably more of a boom-or-bust pick, but if you're not depending on him to start right away, the payoff could be very rewarding.

Chandler Harnish, QB, N. Illinois

At 6'2" and 219 pounds, Harnish isn't what most consider an elite prospect.  The Cowboys aren't in the market for an elite quarterback prospect this year, but could conceivably target him as a Day 3 pick. 

After watching numerous MAC games this past year, the main quality that stands out with Harnish is his ability to make plays with his feet while remaining a threat to pass by keeping his vision downfield.  He doesn't wow you with his arm, but he's adequate in making all the throws and seemed to thrive in late-game situations. 

Like Osweiler, the Cowboys could develop him more into the type of passer they covet in the future.  He's best suited to play in a spread offense, but with a few years to develop his game, his athletic ability could help him thrive. 

Overall his game needs polish, but the upside is there, simply because of his mobility in the pocket to avoid the rush and make plays.  Harnish threw for 3,216 yards and 28 touchdowns and also ran for over 1,300 yards.

Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan

Another product of the MAC conference (I don't know why, but I love watching MAC games), Jordan White is a 6'0", 215-pound receiver with excellent overall talent.  When I went back and watched his footage, I saw a nice No. 4 receiver option for the Cowboys with solid hands who made some great catches in small, tight spaces. 

He could also carve himself out a role on offense and provide insurance should Robinson depart for free agency.  White was able to overcome two ACL tears in his career, which to me shows outstanding perseverance and mental toughness.  He would be a nice addition if Garrett is thinking about adding a prospect to the receiver mix.  It's simply hard to ignore 1,911 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns this past season.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, FIU

I've had the opportunity to watch some FIU games this year, and still had some on TiVO.  When I went back and watched them, I remembered why. 

TY Hilton kind of reminds me of Jerrel Jernigan from last year's draft.  Hilton is simply an all-around solid football player and playmaker.  He's quick off the line, gets great separation, he's able to fight off press coverage and is dangerous after the catch.  Not physically imposing at 5'10" and 185 pounds, but he's a true home-run threat if he's able to slip a tackle or two. 

Opposing defenses always had to account for him and he was still able to make plays.  He's also willing to block and do the little things.  I envision the Cowboys using him as a slot receiver and as a vertical threat who could really give Tony Romo the ability to stretch the field. 

The possibility still looms that Laurent Robinson could change uniforms, and the Cowboys need to cover their bases.  The key here is his speed, versatility and his ability to be a factor in the return game.  I've highlighted Joe Adams more than a few times in previous articles and, although I still love him as a prospect, Hilton could provide the same type of playmaking ability. 

Dwight Jones, WR, N. Carolina

I don't know if the Cowboys would target a receiver in the second or third round, but if they did, Dwight Jones could be a player to consider in the "bigger receiver" class.  Jeff Fuller, Marvin McNutt, Stephen Hill and Brian Quick would also fit the mold, but I like what Jones brings in his game after watching several UNC games. 

Alshon Jeffrey is another name that comes to mind, but the Cowboys wouldn't be in play for his services as he's likely to be a first-round pick.  I'm highlighting Jones simply because the Cowboys should at least consider a bigger wide receiver prospect.  He's an imposing figure who stands at 6'4" and had 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns last season at UNC. 

 As is the case with the other receiver prospects, the possibility of Laurent Robinson leaving via free agency forces the Cowboys to scrutinize this position more closely.  Targeting at least one big receiver will add some debate to the draft strategy and offer some diversity from some of the smaller, quicker receivers. 

As a receiver, Jones would be able to use his size to make the tough catches in tight areas by shielding defenders, and he would be utilized as an obvious red-zone threat.  This could be the bigger receiver Jerry Jones envisioned when he thought about how Roy Williams was going to fit into the Cowboys offense.  

Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple

A 6'0", 215-pound running back, Pierce is a solid between-the-tackles running back from Temple.  With Tanner still an unproven commodity and the injuries that seem to hit Felix Jones every year, the Cowboys may want to consider a running back. 

Pierce does a little of everything well, but his ability to get the tough yards and read his blocks is what stands out.  He had an outstanding performance against Wyoming in their bowl game victory, in which he displayed great vision, was decisive on his cuts and consistently bounced off would-be tacklers. 

One of his qualities that jumped out at me in that game was that he's not afraid to lower his shoulder and take on defenders for the extra yards.  He's just a real smooth, tough runner.  Not only would he instantly be the No. 3 back, but if Felix Jones is allowed to walk after the upcoming season, Pierce would slide into the No. 2 role.  I really like this prospect. 

Robert Turbin, RB, Utah St.

Although only 5'9", Turbin is a 216-pound powerful, compact running back who earned WAC Player of the Year this past season.  In 2011 he rushed for over 1,500 yards and had 19 touchdowns. 

The game that stood out to me was against Colorado St. in which he rushed for four touchdowns and was just impossible to bring down.  He reminds me of Mike Tolbert but with greater athletic ability and acceleration.  What was most impressive about his 2011 season is that he was coming off an ACL injury in 2010.  Turbin is also a very good receiver out of the backfield. 

He could be just what the Cowboys need this year as a No. 3 back, and also a solid run producer as a No. 2 next year if Felix Jones were no longer in Dallas beyond this season.  I really like his ability to break off big runs. 

Tauren Poole, RB, Tennessee

At 5'10" and 215 pounds, Poole represents another prospect the Cowboys could consider if looking to add another running back into the mix in 2012.  As a Vols fan, I've had the luxury of watching him almost every weekend in 2011. 

He's a very productive back who runs hard, hits the hole hard and keeps his feet moving well while fighting for extra yardage.  He also excels at bouncing runs to the outside for long gains.  He's not the biggest or most explosive back, but the traits that come to mind are solid and reliable. 

Poole could also battle Tanner for the No. 3 role, and be a candidate as a future No. 2 should Felix Jones depart. 

Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

A 6'5", 252-pound tight end, Egnew is an athletic player with great hands, runs solid routes and is a threat after the catch.  With the likelihood that Martellus Bennett will not return to Dallas, suddenly there's a need to fill at the tight end position if not remedied in free agency. 

Egnew brings a solid all-around game to the combine that just might catch the eye of the Cowboys brass.  He could probably add some size to his frame at the next level, but Egnew could provide Romo with a nice threat up the seams and give the Cowboys another target in the offense. 

Jason Witten commands a lot of attention by opposing defenses, and Bennett has been unreliable as a second option to this point.  Another option at tight end will keep defenses honest when drawing attention to Witten.

Ladarius Green, TE, La-Lafayette

Green is a freakish athlete who stands 6'6" and weighs 240 pounds.  His athleticism could provide plenty of opportunities for mismatches in the Cowboys offense.  He's taller than most linebackers and would be a nightmare matchup for defensive backs. 

At the next level Green could experience trouble getting off the line until he adds some mass to his frame. However, he is such an athlete that he could line up in the slot, use his frame to box out defenders and, in the footage I saw, he just seems to have a knack for getting open. 

There's no doubt he will be a bit of a project, but his raw ability alone might be worth the gamble at the right stage of the draft.  This could be the type of athlete Jerry Jones gravitates to if the Cowboys turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball.

With so many needs to fill on defense and down in the trenches, this might not be the draft to shift the focus to the offensive side of the ball.  But if the Cowboys are thinking offensively, hopefully some of these prospects have a nice landing spot in Dallas.