The Dallas Cowboys' Draft Backup Plan for Potential Free-Agency Misses

The first wave of free agency is over with and the Dallas Cowboys don't have much to show for it; however, don't fret because they still have the rest of free agency and the NFL draft to improve their roster. 

A lot of people get caught up in the free-agent frenzy, but in reality the best way to build your team is through the draft. It is an opportunity to acquire young and inexpensive players who can make a large impact or provide good depth to the back end of the roster. 

Even if the Cowboys miss out on some of their top targets, they will have a second chance to fill that void in the draft. Just because DeMarco Murray is gone doesn't mean they won't add a running back who can be productive in their system. 

Without further ado, let's look at some players the Cowboys can draft to replace players they missed out on in free agency. 

Ameer Abdullah

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The biggest storyline involving the Cowboys thus far in free agency has been in regards to DeMarco Murray. However, that saga has come to a close as Murray signed with the Philadelphia Eagles per ESPN.com's Phil Sheridan. 

Despite letting Murray walk was likely the best decision, it still leaves a void at running back for the Cowboys. Luckily for them, this running back draft class is deep and filled with a ton of talent. 

In reality, there are numerous directions the Cowboys could go at running back in the draft. They could look to players such as Todd Gurley, Duke Johnson, T.J. Yeldon, Jay Ajayi or numerous others and still be extremely happy. 

The best value among the running backs available in the draft may be Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah, who appears to be a perfect fit in Dallas. 

Abdullah is a lightning-quick running back who displays great vision, toughness and ability as a receiver. He thrives when he is asked to run in a zone-blocking scheme, which the Cowboys largely employ. 

Abdullah struggles in pass protection, not because he doesn't try, but because he lacks the technique to get the job done. 

If the Cowboys are looking for a dynamic player who can help replace Murray, Abdullah may be their guy. 

Kenny Bell

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Just like with DeMarco Murray, the Cowboys lost out on a key cog of their 2014 season as Dwayne Harris signed with the division rival New York Giants, per The Dallas Morning News' Brandon George. 

Harris was an important player because of all the roles he occupied in Dallas. He was a great returner and a core special teams player. Also, he was a fantastic blocker in the running game as he helped spring Murray and Joseph Randle for numerous big gains. 

It won't be as easy to replace Harris as some believe, but there is one player in particular who could slide right into Harris' numerous roles: Nebraska's Kenny Bell. 

Bell may be the best run-blocker in the draft at wide receiver in this class as he routinely made extremely difficult blocks throughout his college career. 

Furthermore, Bell is a more developed wide receiver than Harris ever was as he has shown the ability to run the full route tree and demonstrate knowledge of the nuances of playing the wide receiver position. 

The cherry on top is the fact Bell has already showcased the ability to be a special teams ace as he was one of the best special team players in the nation while at Nebraska. 

Bell presents the opportunity to not only replace Harris, but also improve upon the roles Harris occupied. 

Owamagbe Odighizuwa

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The Cowboys have yet to address their biggest need in free agency: defensive end. The draft will be their last opportunity to improve upon that position, and one of their top targets should be UCLA's Owamagbe Odighizuwa. 

While at UCLA, Odighizuwa exhibited all the traits you could want in a left defensive end for the Cowboys. He is extremely stout in the run game as he uses his length and strength to create push and disengage off blockers. 

As a pass-rusher, Odighizuwa is extremely quick off the line of scrimmage and utilizes great power to bull offensive tackles back. He has a quick inside move and the ability to win with speed-to-power out on the edge. 

Odighizuwa is never going to lead the league in sacks, but he can be an exceptional player who excels against the run and makes an impact against the pass. 

With the Cowboys picking late in the first round, they are going to miss on the elite edge-rushers in this class; however, Odighizuwa may be the most well-rounded out of all of them and that his great value in the late first for Dallas. 

Carl Davis

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Earlier on in free agency, the Cowboys were interested in Stephen Paea before he signed with the Washington Redskins, per Fox Sports Southwest's Mike Fisher. Paea would have been a great get for Dallas, as he would provide a level of impact at the 1-technique defensive tackle position they haven't had in years. 

In the draft, one player who could provide that same type of impact is Iowa's Carl Davis. Even though he played in a two-gapping defense, Davis showcased a great ability to penetrate and get into the backfield. 

Davis is a terror inside as he uses his length, strength and excellent quickness to quickly blow by opposing blockers or eat up double-teams and allow his teammates to make plays. 

In Dallas, Davis would slide into the 1-technique defensive tackle next to Tyrone Crawford and give the Cowboys one of the best young interior defensive lines in the NFL. He would give the Cowboys a player who could generate some semblance of a pass rush from the middle and add a whole new facet to the Cowboys defense.  

Cedric Ogbuehi

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One of the most surprising parts of free agency was how the Jacksonville Jaguars overpaid for the services of Jermey Parnell, per ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco. Parnell was a solid backup offensive tackle, but he never played anywhere near what his new contract suggests he will. 

With Parnell gone, the Cowboys are void of a backup offensive tackle who can eventually take Doug Free's spot in two or three years. 

One interesting player who could fill that void is Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi. Coming into this season, Ogbuehi was one of the most highly touted players; however, a subpar season and a torn ACL later, and his draft stock has dropped significantly. 

Most of Ogbuehi's struggles were due to the fact he has little to no understanding of how to use his length and thrown an effective punch. He routinely let pass-rushers get inside him and push him back. 

However, Ogbuehi does have some of the best footwork out of the offensive tackles in the draft. He uses his footwork to cut off defenders, which helped make up for his poor hand usage. 

Ogbuehi isn't prepared to start right away, but he could be a fantastic backup and a player the Cowboys coaching staff can develop and turn into a great starter in a couple of years.