2012 NFL Draft: Why This Is a Make or Break Draft for the Dallas Cowboys

The days leading up to the NFL draft are filled with many different emotions among Cowboys nation.

The feelings range from excitement to anticipation, but at the same time there's fear and caution. That fear among Cowboy fans centers around the chance for a repeat of the 2009 draft and other disappointing ones of the past.

If the last two drafts are any indication of future results, then I think the Cowboys are on the right track for better things to come.

By adding players like Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Tyron Smith and DeMarco Murray over the last two drafts, the Cowboys have quietly started building a nice foundation for the future. If players like Bruce Carter, David Arkin and Bill Nagy become major contributors, then the nucleus becomes that much stronger.

Is the improvement of the last two drafts an illusion? Or is this confirmation the organization is getting things right?

My answer is the latter and, because of that, the 2012 NFL draft becomes that much more important for the Dallas Cowboys.

To go deeper, it's a make-or-break draft for many reasons.

If the Cowboys fail in the 2012 NFL draft, not only will it send the fans back into a vortex of disappointment, but I foresee it to be a major progress stopper.

It may be even that much harder this year to get the draft right because the Cowboys find themselves with a pick that has no unanimous best choice. With several players in the mix at the 14th pick, making the right call or deciding to trade back is going to be paramount.

Another reason why I see this as a make-or-break draft is because, quite frankly, Jerry Jones can't afford anymore gimmicks and failed drafts that have stunted the growth of this team and crippled its depth.

Some of Jones' decisions in free agency were a direct byproduct of bad drafting that ranged from the questionable to the unthinkable (see the 2009 draft as proof).

With eight picks in hand, the Cowboys find themselves in good position to really solidify its roster. While it's hard to imagine getting eight starters out of this draft, the Cowboys shouldn't settle for mediocre results. 

The Cowboys need an impact player, starters and contributors throughout the draft.

Collectively, as an organization, the Cowboys need to approach the 2012 NFL draft with a sense of urgency. We've seen NFC teams such as the Packers, Saints and Giants win the most recent Super Bowls while the Cowboys remain on the outside looking in.

One common element among those three teams is their success is attributed to great drafting.