The Dallas Cowboys' Round 1 Big Board Before Combine

The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine is underway with teams paying close attention to hundreds of future players. The Dallas Cowboys are watching a wide range of athletes who could potentially be their first-round selection when the No. 27 pick comes around in April.

Dallas’ draft future isn’t as clear as other years because the team still has so much to do in re-signing its own unrestricted free agents. Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray are at the top of that list.

One thing that’s certain is owner and general manager Jerry Jones will be addressing his defense at some point this offseason. Dallas needs help along the front four as well as in the secondary.

Let’s take a look at the Cowboys’ first-round big board before the conclusion of the combine.

Trae Waynes, Cornerback, Michigan State

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At some time in this year’s draft, the Cowboys must take a cornerback. It may not occur in the first round, but with whom the 2015 class has available, it certainly could be.

Orlando Scandrick is the only cornerback on the roster whom Dallas should be excited about. He played great last season and proved himself to be the clear-cut No. 1.

Brandon Carr wasn’t terrible in 2014, but it seems he’ll never reach anywhere close to the elite level Dallas was hoping for when it signed him. Sterling Moore came on to be a quality player, while Morris Claiborne took another step back. With that said, Dallas would not be wrong in taking a cornerback in the first round.

Michigan State’s Trae Waynes will most likely be a first-rounder and would help Dallas immediately. At 6’1”, Waynes would become the tallest corner on the roster. He has solid length and is a man-to-man specialist. He could be the shutdown corner Dallas thought it was getting 2012.

Eddie Goldman, Defensive Tackle, Florida State

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Another spot Dallas will be forced to address this spring is the defensive front. The line needs help at both the tackle and end positions.

Tyrone Crawford emerged as a promising young player who has quite a bright future. However, both Henry Melton and Nick Hayden are unrestricted free agents, so it’s difficult to measure the positional depth at this point.

Even if the Cowboys bring both players back, they could still use an upgrade. Florida State’s Eddie Goldman could be the guy to fill that void.

Goldman has a powerful upper body and uses it well against the run. For a big guy (6’4”, 314 lbs), he moves well and utilizes his hands to push and shed blockers. Dallas should be keeping its eye on this tackle.

Bud Dupree, Defensive End, Kentucky

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The Cowboys have a similar situation at the defensive end position. Jeremy Mincey had a fantastic 2014 campaign, and rookie Demarcus Lawrence showed several hopeful signs. They are the only two ends on the current roster who had an impact last year, though.

Anthony Spencer and George Selvie are both free agents, and it’s uncertain what Jerry Jones plans to do at the position.

Just like at defensive tackle, even if Dallas brings back both players, it wouldn’t hurt to add a real playmaker to the roster. Although the Cowboys improved at rushing the quarterback down the stretch, they didn’t have enough players getting sacks consistently.

One player who could change that is Kentucky’s Bud Dupree. He’s described as a freakish athlete who has a very raw game at this point. Dupree has the strength to set the edge and the explosiveness to attack the backfield. Watch for him to post some very impressive numbers at the combine Sunday.  

Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin

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A very interesting situation is happening with the Cowboys’ marquee free agents. It appears Dez Bryant will be on the roster in some fashion no matter what. The same can’t be said for running back DeMarco Murray.

Obviously the front office would love to bring back the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, but at what cost?

The only other intriguing option revolves around the situation with Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. It’s clear both sides have an interest in one another, but it’s tough to say what the future holds.

If Dallas is unable to re-sign Murray and can’t land Peterson, then running back becomes an immediate position of need. Even though a back hasn’t been selected in the first round the past two years, there are several who could in 2015.

Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon is an extremely talented runner who put up monster numbers this year in the Big Ten. Gordon rushed for 2,587 yards, including one game where he went for 408 on 25 carries against Nebraska. There are several quality backs in this year’s class, and Gordon could prove to be the best.

Ereck Flowers, Offensive Tackle, Miami

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The other offensive position that could be focused on is the offensive line. Of course this isn’t the team’s biggest need given the outstanding play of its young offensive linemen, but there is a hole at right tackle.

Both Doug Free and Jermey Parnell are free agents. It would be a surprise if Dallas didn’t bring at least one of them back; however, you never know when it comes to the NFL.

A potential replacement at right tackle could be Miami’s Ereck Flowers.

The lineman is physically ready for the next level with his massive 6’6”, 324-pound frame. Flowers is surprisingly athletic and dominated in the run game in college. He’s highly competitive and someone who wants to improve.