5 Reach Picks the Dallas Cowboys Must Avoid in the 2013 NFL Draft

With the NFL draft now a month away, both the hype and buildup are beginning to gain some serious momentum. The Dallas Cowboys, who have not been players at all in free agency, need to prepare and execute in this draft with an extreme sense of urgency to improve this football team.

The Cowboys have immediate needs at offensive and defensive line, safety, running back and linebacker. The problem is that with only six picks in the draft and nothing to show for in free agency thus far, which direction do the Cowboys go in?

Regardless of where Jerry Jones decides to steer this draft, the Cowboys can't afford any misses. In fact, getting at least three starters out of this draft may just be a must for this franchise. Other teams successfully implement rookie starters right away and reap immediate dividends as well.

So while the Cowboys need to be more aggressive with this sort of philosophy, they also need to draft players capable of making that immediate contribution. It's otherwise known as impact, and that's what a successful draft in both the short and long-term are generally based on.

But that's easier said than done, and anybody that follows the draft already knows it's not an exact science. Anybody that is reminded of the 2009 draft would know that Jerry Jones' decisions, at times, also defy the laws of gravity and any sense of logic.

One way the Cowboys can get closer to their goal of fielding multiple starters out of this draft with high impact is to avoid any self-inflicted wounds. The best way to do that is by avoiding the reaching for prospects.

Here are some prospects that could potentially lure the Cowboys to the bait before snapping the trap. 

 

Margus Hunt, DE

When you look at Margus Hunt and his 6'8" frame, it's easy to get enamored with his measurables, his upside and the vision you might have of him terrorizing quarterbacks. On a level of technique, experience and determining if his skill set is translatable, some may categorize him as having question marks.

The Dallas Cowboys have big decisions to make in this draft, particularly in the first two rounds. One of their more pressing needs surrounds the defensive line and having the right personnel to run the 4-3 scheme of Monte Kiffin.

So while there are better fits and safer bets such as Kawann Short and Jesse Williams, it's hard to ignore the sheer raw ability of Hunt. Part of me feels like that for all the hype surrounding Hunt, the tape still tells a story of a player that is still a little short on experience and will also be 26 year old rookie. 

Hunt has a ton of upside, but what if his ability to match the transition to the NFL with consistent productivity takes a few seasons? Do the Cowboys have that type of time to wait?

There are no sure bets in the NFL, or life for that matter, but with this franchise facing a critical crossroads, a player like Hunt may not be the best fit right now.

Lane Johnson, OT

Might the Cowboys be looking at a tackle based on the potential of a Doug Free departure? Quite possibly, but for now Free's job is obviously intact. But suppose they are drawing attention to other prospects by having private workouts when their real interest is in someone else?

Enter Lane Johnson. It's the old trick of not showing your hand and not drawing attention to the prospect that you really want. Johnson had an outstanding combine performance, and the sheer nature of the tackle position places his stock at a premium.

But for my taste, Johnson doesn't have enough experience to warrant reaching for him, and the Cowboys might be one of those teams that might. Johnson could, and most likely will, develop into a solid professional, but Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper are the offensive linemen that are must-haves for this franchise.

Unfortunately, the game the Cowboys are playing with Free makes this a situation to watch.

Ziggy Ansah, DE

Ansah is the player that probably carries the most potential and upside in this draft, and those buzzwords are simply starting to stick pretty well. Some view him as the next Jason Pierre-Paul, and others see a player that needs to prove his potential can be reached.

Ansah didn't exactly end up compiling big numbers last season by posting four and a half sacks, but it's just hard to ignore his pure athletic ability and natural gifts. Teams view him as that coveted speed rusher, and Aldon Smith is a prime example of how that can benefit your defense.

But what if he fails to reach his potential and fails to reach expectations? You could either have the next defensive superstar or a player that reaches journeyman status. Anyone can make the Pierre-Paul comparisons, but making them a reality is an entirely different story.

So the question with Ansah is if he's special enough to take the risk. Time will provide us with the answer.

Tavon Austin, WR

What's not to like about 4.3 40-yard dash speed? Not much, right? Just envision a quick out, a bubble screen, a slipped tackle and a track meet up the sideline. That's at least what I envision when I think of a potential Tony Romo to Tavon Austin pass with blockers out in front and nothing but end zone ahead.

But this isn't West Virginia versus Marshall or some video game offense with Geno Smith throwing 70-yard darts into a busted coverage. In the NFL, it's not so easy to consistently fool cornerbacks either on the outside or in the slot, and it's not so easy turning the corner against lightning fast defensive ends or safeties acting as heat-seeking missiles.

Austin is a dynamic, playmaking wide receiver capable of the home run every time but there are some factors to consider. The obvious one is his size and at 5'8" and 175 pounds, it does make you think about the pounding he would take at the next level so durability becomes an issue.

Another drawback would be, because of his size, his blocking ability. If you look at his tape, that weakness in his game becomes an obvious one. Ultimately, this is a player that is always looking for the home run, and because of that, he becomes too one-dimensional.

But you can't teach speed, and that is Austin's biggest attribute. The question that comes is how high a team is willing to reach to acquire that speed. Knowing Jerry Jones and his propensity for flash and sizzle, might this be a date with temptation?

With Jones you never know but in the case of this franchise, it would be a big reach.

Tyrann Mathieu, CB

When Tyrann Mathieu dazzled during his combine performance, you could almost feel the buzz and hype coming to a boil. He looked fluid in his pedal, his drills were crisp and maybe, just maybe, Mathieu was starting to get it and turn his life around.

It's hard to imagine Mathieu still being considered as a late-round flier but after his performance at the combine, the fact that he is making the most of his NFL opportunities and is working out with Patrick Peterson really puts his draft possibilities in a whole different light.

Where exactly is Mathieu projected to go in the 2013 draft? Has he done enough to be in consideration for an early draft selection? Draft boards are in the eye of the beholder, and for a player like Mathieu, the rewards can certainly far outweigh the risk in drafting him.

But it can also wind up being a colossal nightmare with a young player falling back into old habits. If Mathieu is on the radar of the Cowboys, then targeting him must come with the correct timing. It's not worth the risk in reaching too far regardless of talent.

Not when you're coming off 8-8 seasons.