5 NFL Draft Prospects the Dallas Cowboys Could Trade Up For

With the 14th selection in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys do not seem to be in position to trade up for any player. Given the numerous needs this team has entering the offseason, Dallas looks to be able to bring in a solid prospect while simply resting at the 14th selection.

But with owner/general manager Jerry Jones attending the War Room at Valley Ranch, one can never really tell what the Cowboys will do.

While a trade up doesn't seem necessary and a trade down would actually seem more likely, here's five players the Cowboys could find themselves eagerly seeking to acquire depending on how free agency and the first 13 picks of the first round shake out.

5. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

This is not a move that anyone would expect to see, but I don't know that anyone can really see what Jones and the Cowboys are seeing leading up to the draft.

While the presence of running backs DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones seem to fill the Dallas backfield with both depth and versatility, a deeper look at the Cowboys running back position reveals a little more.

Assuming that Murray returns from his ankle injury late last season, Jones remains the only capable backup for the former Sooner. When considering that Jones doesn't generally stay too healthy throughout the regular season, a move like this could make sense.

Another factor is the contract status of Jones heading into 2012. With only a year remaining on his original rookie contract, it would not be too early to start looking down the road at the running back position.

Richardson has as much upside as any running back to enter the pro ranks since possibly Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. Richardson has a rare blend of speed and power and proved at Alabama that he can carry the ball as much as necessary.

Sometimes value means everything in the NFL draft, and if Richardson were to fall out of the top 10, then Dallas would be wise to investigate an opportunity to shore up the backfield for years to come.

4. David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

This move would seem to be unlikely as well, given that the top offensive guard prospect in the country should still be available at the 14th pick.

But can the Cowboys be sure of this?

If we all knew right now that Carl Nicks of the New Orleans Saints would not end up in Dallas as a free-agent acquisition, then a trade up for David DeCastro would make some sense.

If other players Dallas covets start dropping off the board earlier than expected, the Cowboys will have to be working to make as good a call as possible.

If the Cowboys have finally decided that protecting quarterback Tony Romo is their top priority heading into 2012, and it sure should be, then adding another young blue-chip prospect to the offensive line would be huge.

The recent switching of offensive tackles Tyron Smith and Doug Free puts the Cowboys in pretty good shape on the edge of the line. But strengthening the interior of the line and bringing the talent level up is an urgency that the Cowboys can neither afford to keep overspending on or ignoring altogether.

3. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The odds of Dallas spending back-to-back first-round picks on offensive tackles seem remote in the extreme. Then again, nobody knows exactly how this particular draft board is drawn up, and it is anybody's guess as to what the Cowboys feel is their top priority.

Dallas just announced that tackles Tyron Smith and Doug Free will switch positions in 2012. It would seem that tackle would not be much of a priority, but I am not so sure.

It might be a tad premature to just assume that Free will play right tackle. Granted, this is a better position for the five-year veteran than left tackle, but I can see Dallas entertaining another idea.

Free could possibly shift to right guard next year, which would bring a significant upgrade over injured Kyle Kosier or any other veteran guard on the depth chart.

A trade up for a true right tackle such as Mike Adams seems unnecessary. But if the Cowboys are completely committed to protecting Romo from injury for the first time since 2009, then it may not seem so far-fetched.

The best pass protectors will go quickly in the draft, the first probably being left tackle Matt Kalil from USC with the third choice. I predict at least three top tackle prospects off the board by the time Dallas clocks in for their first selection.

If rebuilding the offensive line continues in high gear, a massive right tackle like Adams might become a luxury that nobody predicted. This is definitely not a need, but it could end up being a huge benefit.

2. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

I wouldn't bet money that the top cornerback prospect is selected in the top 10 selections in the 2012 NFL draft. This means that the Cowboys might have the better part of two hours to watch in suspense as either Morris Claiborne of LSU or Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama start moving within reach.

It is no secret that the Cowboys need some young talent in the secondary, especially with the future of current starting corner Terence Newman completely up in the air. I can only get a little excited about the chance to trade up to select Kirkpatrick.

For starters, Claiborne will be gone by the time Dallas reaches the clock. This really only leaves Kirkpatrick as the lone defensive back with his particular combination of size and strength. No other corner, and especially not Janoris Jenkins of North Alabama, has Kirkpatrick's physique, and that is what you trade up for.

In other words, there is a drop-off after the top two corners available in the upcoming draft, and if Dallas wants a shutdown corner, the Cowboys may end up having to trade up in order to do so. I do not think this is likely to happen, especially not prior to any future acquisitions via free agency, but it would not surprise me either.

1. Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE, Alabama

While protecting Tony Romo is unquestionably a top priority this offseason, improving a defense that has been historically bad the past two seasons is right up there with it.

Most alarming for Dallas is the fact that only outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware generates frequent heat on opposing quarterbacks. After Ware, there is a huge drop-off in sacks, and there are several reasons for this that have nothing to do with opposite starting linebacker Anthony Spencer.

Free agency will tell all regarding how urgent defensive improvement is for 2012. Regardless of who is brought in prior to the draft, expect the pass-rush to outweigh any topic that doesn't include the words "protection" or "Tony Romo."

Quarterbacks figure to go with the first two selections, and then pass protectors will start to go quickly. The only position really holding this up is probably defensive end/outside linebacker.

Teams want pressure on the opposing quarterback, and the New York Giants just proved to the world that you don't even have to have a good season in order to win a championship. Expect the rest of the league to copy on cue, and if Dallas sees Courtney Upshaw still on the board by the 10th selection, Jones might need to hit the little boy's room.

Upshaw is a volatile defender who can be used several ways in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. He's a pressure player that might be an upgrade over Spencer in the short-term.

Upshaw looks to me like a very solid prospect who will certainly pay early dividends for the team that drafts him. Then again, these "tweener" type of players often don't produce anything close to what's expected.

I would proceed with great caution on a move like this because there are players better suited to compliment Ware that could be selected at 14 or lower. Whitney Mercilus of Illinois and Vinny Curry of Marshall are my preferences, but Upshaw brings the name, the attitude and the skills to quickly upgrade the Dallas defense.