2012 NFL Draft: Cowboys Must Approach Day 3 with Urgency to Fill Needs

The Dallas Cowboys have selected LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne and Boise State defensive end Tyrone Crawford with their first and third round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. With five picks left over the last four rounds the Cowboys still have work to do and needs to fill.

The Cowboys still need to address linebacker, safety, offensive line, wide receiver, and could also target tight end, running back or perhaps another cornerback. It wouldn't even be out of the question to select a quarterback.

It's a tall order but the Cowboys need to realize that teams like the Eagles, Giants and Redskins have also gotten better over the last two days, not to mention other teams on their 2012 schedule.

The Cowboys simply need to approach the third and final day of the draft with a sense of urgency to make each remaining pick count as they look for starters, contributors and depth. With two selections in the fourth round and one in each of the last three rounds, Jerry Jones should be ready to attack day three.

With an extensive list of players available over a wide range of positions, the Cowboys are in prime position to complete the task of compiling a successful draft. Let's take a look at a sample of some of the remaining talent on the board that could be of interest to the Cowboys.

QB Kirk Cousins - Mich St.

QB Chandler Harnisch - N. Illinois

KR/PR/WR Joe Adams - Arkansas

LB Ronnell Lewis - Oklahoma

DT Billy Wynn - Boise St.

DE Jared Crick - Wisconsin

DT Alameda Ta'Amu - Washington

CB Ron Brooks - LSU

CB Josh Norman - Coastal Carolina

CB - Brandon Boykin - Georgia

C Phil Blake - Baylor

C Ben Jones - Georgia

S George Iloka - Boise St.

S Markelle Martin - Oklahoma State

TE Orson Charles - Georgia

RB Lamar Miller - Miami

OG Brandon Washington - Miami

OG- Ronald Leary - Memphis

There is a lot of talent available heading into day three of the draft and the Cowboys need to find that balance between maximizing value while being able to fill their needs. The Cowboys as an organization and all the work that was compiled in preparation for this draft will now be put to the test.

Having an opportunity to acquire a talented player like Morris Claiborne will provide the Cowboys with a major building block for the future and hopefully Tyrone Crawford can be one as well. But being able to find talent in the mid and late rounds of the draft are often the difference between being annual contenders and watching the playoffs at home.

Let's hope day three can provide even more of those building blocks and help solidify this roster for years to come. I'm tired of watching a Cowboy-less playoffs.