2012 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys' Day 2 Attention Should Focus on Both Lines

After the wildly successful selection of Morris Claiborne, the Dallas Cowboys should wisely target pass-rushers and offensive linemen heading into Day 2. With the stunning move to climb up in the first round on Thursday and select Claiborne, the secondary now appears to be pretty solid.

Although the Cowboys still have much work to do in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft to address other needs, confidence is high that they will be achieved. 

What the Cowboys were able to achieve in selecting Claiborne is a clear sign that Jerry Jones and the entire organization are committed to results. The Cowboys had players on their board left at No. 14, and players like LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers and Stanford guard David DeCastro were available, but the Cowboys seized the opportunity to get Claiborne and now he's a Cowboy.

But Day 2 brings another day and one less draft pick. The Cowboys not only head into Day 2 without the 45th pick, but they are now faced with addressing the positions of pass-rusher and interior lineman as well as other needs. 

Jerry Jones could make another splash by either packaging draft picks to move back into the second round or dangling Mike Jenkins in a potential trade or a combination of both.

Regardless of what the Cowboys ultimately decide to do, let's take a look at the best players still left on the board. Although many of them will be gone in the second round while the Cowboys watch, anything is possible, and they need to be aware of every single player who comes or goes.

Of course there are players like linebacker Courtney Upshaw available, but go on the assumption the Cowboys only hold their third-round pick. A more realistic look at third-round prospects and some players of value who could slide into the third round for the Cowboys might consist of the following:

Defensive linemen Alameda Ta'amu, Billy Wynn, Tyrone Crawford, Trevor Guyton, Jared Crick, Josh Chapman and Cam Johnson. Offensive linemen Kelechi Osemele, Brandon Brooks, James Brown and Jeff Allen. 

Should the Cowboys choose to go in another direction, they could be looking at Lavonte David, Brandon Taylor, Jamell Fleming, Ronnell Lewis and George Iloka.

Any of these players would be solid choices in the third round should they choose to solidify both the offensive or defensive lines. Without the benefit of having a second-round pick, the Cowboys have to be extra attentive to identify falling talent.

With the unpredictability of Jerry Jones, it wouldn't be shocking to find the Cowboys back in the second round. Let's have confidence and hope that the rest of the draft will fill all the Cowboys' needs.