6 Newcomers Who Will Play Biggest Roles for Dallas Cowboys

There aren't a lot of new faces in Dallas this year, but when you look at the offseason additions the Cowboys have made, it's easy to see the areas they were worried about the most. That's because five of the six players on the list of newcomers to watch in 2012 are either offensive linemen or defensive backs.

Here are a half-dozen newbies who should make an impact in Big D this fall.

Brandon Carr

He didn't receive as much attention as Cortland Finnegan as a free agent, but Brandon Carr has the skills to be a very good No. 1 corner in Dallas. 

The underrated 26-year-old had a career-high four interceptions last year with the Chiefs. More importantly, quarterbacks completed just 49.4 percent of passes thrown his way, per Pro Football Focus.

He also has good size and physicality and has never missed a start in his four-year career. 

Head coach Jason Garrett on Carr (via ESPN.com):

"

We think he's an outstanding cover corner. He excels in press coverage. He's big. He has long arms. He's a very good press cover corner. We think he's the right kind of guy. He plays tough. He plays the right way. He does a lot of things we aspire to do on defense, which is play that hard, press, physical kind of man-to-man coverage that he's played throughout his entire career there with Kansas City.

"

With a $50 million contract, it's Carr who'll likely be counted on to handle opponents' No. 1 receivers while top pick Morris Claiborne gets acclimated. 

Thus far in camp, he's surpassed expectations set by defensive coordinator Rob Ryan (again via ESPN.com). "He's actually better (than expected).He's outstanding. I knew he was great, but the guy is special," he said.

Morris Claiborne

The Cowboys technically spent their first two draft picks on Morris Claiborne, so he's sure to play a large role from the get-go.

The No. 6 overall selection out of LSU was the consensus top defensive player in the draft, and he's supposed to start in Dallas' defensive backfield right away. Unfortunately, we've yet to see him work because he's still recovering from surgery on his left wrist in March.

Still, he expects to be back well before training camp, and the team is already making it clear he's ahead of Mike Jenkins on the cornerback depth chart.

"Obviously, this guy's a unique talent. We didn't move up in the draft to get a guy that's not going to play. We've got an outstanding guy here," defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said (via ESPN.com).

He might also have a chance to play a large role in the return game.

Brodney Pool

Safety Brodney Pool joins his third team in four years after spending the last two seasons with Jim Leonhard and Eric Smith in the Jets' defensive backfield. And with Abe Elam gone, the 28-year-old will have the first crack at joining the starting lineup alongside Gerald Sensabaugh.

He played for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in a similar defense in Cleveland, so getting acclimated won't be an issue.

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett breaks it down (via Blogging The Boys):

"

He's a guy we targeted last year; a guy we think has very good ball skills and is very good on the back end; who can also be a guy who can come down and do all the jobs that a safety in our defensive scheme has to do. His strengths are on the back end, using his athleticism and going to make plays on the ball down the field. We feel like he can be a real asset for our team as well.

"

Aside from the odd lapse, Pool's strong in coverage, which is where the Cowboys will need him the most. Barry Church and rookie Matt Johnson will have opportunities to earn reps at safety, and there's even a chance Orlando Scandrick converts, but at this stage, a starting job is Pool's to lose.

Nate Livings

Veteran guard Nate Livings comes over from Cincinnati, and although he hasn't graded out well from Pro Football Focus in recent years, he'll have to play a large role with Montrae Holland and Kyle Kosier gone.

Bill Nagy could emerge, but Livings is being paid more than $6 million guaranteed, which indicates the Cowboys are confident he can step up at left guard. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan must see something in the 30-year-old who spent his first six seasons with Cincinnati. 

Mackenzy Bernadeau

Former Carolina Panther Mackenzy Bernadeau was supposed to compete for the starting center job and at the very least was the favorite to start at right guard. The problem is that the 26-year-old has been sidelined as he recovers from hip surgery that could keep him out beyond the start of training camp.

Bernadeau signed a four-year deal with a $3.25 million signing bonus less than three months ago, so when he does return he'll likely still have a shot at earning a starting role somewhere on the interior of the offensive line.

Dan Connor

On one hand, the Cowboys would love to see 2011 second-round pick Bruce Carter emerge in his second season to earn a starting job alongside Sean Lee, DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. On the other hand, though, they've got veteran Dan Connor.

Dallas signed the former Panther to a two-year, $6.5 million deal in March, but he's been out as he rehabs from shoulder surgery. The 26-year-old has struggled a bit with injuries and inconsistency in his career, but he's a sure tackler who might fit in perfectly in Dallas.