Dallas Cowboys 2012 Draft: 5 Things That Must Happen in Final Rounds

The Dallas Cowboys pulled off one of the many surprises during the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. The Cowboys traded the 14th pick and their second-round selection to the St. Louis Rams for the sixth pick in the first round.

With that new-found glory, Dallas picked former LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. He was the best cornerback available in the draft and Dallas needed assistance in the defensive backfield. Claiborne brings stability, a great pair of hands, size and is a great kickoff returner.

It was a fantastic pick, maybe one of the steals of the draft, and immediately makes their secondary better. But while the first round represents shock and eagerness for Dallas, the latter rounds must bring consistency and depth.

As the Claiborne pick continues to sink in with fans and pundits, let's take a look at a few things the Cowboys must do make themselves better.

Draft an Inside Linebacker

The Cowboys traded away their second-round pick in order to grab Claiborne, so they have addressed a serious need at cornerback. Now it turns to other positions that are lacking, such as inside linebacker.

As of right now, the Cowboys have Sean Lee and Bruce Carter as starters in the middle. However, there is no depth. Dallas needs another young, athletic linebacker to compete for snaps and to cause opposing offenses issues.

Lee is becoming a defensive team leader and the verdict is still out on Carter. The Cowboys have options at inside linebacker as Nevada's James-Michael Johnson should be available in the fourth round.

Draft a Defensive Tackle/End

There was talk of the Cowboys selecting former Memphis defensive tackle, Dontari Poe. But the Chiefs snagged him. Dallas needs a more efficient and ferocious pass rush in order to pressure the quarterback and aid their secondary.

Poe would have been good, yet I think taking a defensive tackle at 14 wouldn't have been sexy or accepted by Jerry Jones.

Jones wants a pass-rusher and the Cowboys need one in order to pressure the quarterback to give cover to the team's secondary.

Trade Mike Jenkins

Mike Jenkins is expendable now that the Cowboys have Claiborne. According to ESPNDallas.com, Jenkins may be traded and will almost certainly go without a long-term deal.

If Jones decides that he no longer wants Jenkins due to the draft of Claiborne or Jenkins’ history of injury, hopefully the Cowboys receive a nice number of picks for him.

I think the Cowboys should stay put with Jenkins for one more season and make a choice in 2013.

Go After a Tight End or Safety

I am a huge Brandon Taylor fan, an LSU safety, and if the Cowboys trade Jenkins, hopefully a second-round pick is involved.

Taylor should be available by the fourth round and it would be in the team's best interest to take a hard look at him.

I'm also high on Louisiana-Lafayette tight end LaDarius Green and his athleticism. He needs some work, but the Cowboys need a tight end like him to bring another offensive weapon to the team.

Pick Outside Linebacker or Wide Receiver

Kevin Ogletree is only a stop gap until the team can find someone better. Dallas also needs another linebacker to push Anthony Spencer for snaps and because he wants a long-term deal.

A receiver isn't of much importance, unless Jones feels like he is a can't-miss type of player. But outside linebacker should be pretty high on their big board and adding youth, depth and athleticism to weak positions would be great.

A speed-rusher or versatile linebacker like Von Miller would make the team's defense a living, breathing nightmare.