Dallas Cowboys' Top Needs, Fits for 2015 NFL Draft to Build for the Future
In a perfect world, the Dallas Cowboys would select the best available player each time they are on the clock during the NFL draft; however, we don't live in a perfect world, and need has to be factored into each pick.
With the Cowboys knocking on the NFC Championship Game's doorstep last year, it is paramount that they knock this draft out of the park. If the Cowboys can put together a successful draft similar to what they did last year, they could be representing the NFC in the Super Bowl.
On defense, there are numerous opportunities for the Cowboys to get starters in the draft. On offense, the Cowboys will be looking to improve the depth of a few positions so that they are prepared for the inevitable rash of injuries that hits every year.
Here is a look at some of the Cowboys' top needs, in no particular order, and some players who could potentially fill those needs.
Defensive End
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Even with the addition of Greg Hardy, defensive end is still a big need for the Cowboys defense. Hardy isn't guaranteed to remain in Dallas after this year, and if he does leave, it will cause the Cowboys to go back to square one at the position.
However, if they select a defensive end, he will be given time to develop while still getting a good chunk of playing time in Dallas' defensive line rotation.
Outside of Hardy, Jeremy Mincey and DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys don't have any commodities who can be counted on for any production; therefore, it would be smart to grab someone who can contribute and add to the Cowboys' pass rush.
Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA
Owamagbe Odighizuwa is one of the only premier defensive end prospects who could be available when the Cowboys select in the first round.
Odighizuwa is an athletic and technically sound defensive end whose best football is ahead of him. He can win with speed and quickness or with strength and power. He can penetrate his gap or be a traditional edge-setter.
The only real negative on Odighizuwa is that he lacks the flexibility to really bend the edge because of his two hip surgeries in college. If Odighizuwa were available at pick No. 27, he would be extremely hard to pass up.
Trey Flowers, Arkansas
Trey Flowers is basically the same player as Odighizuwa except he lacks the exceptional athleticism that makes Odighizuwa special.
Flowers may be the best run defender at defensive end in this draft as he utilizes his length to stack and shed on the edge at will.
As a pass-rusher, Flowers is an extremely powerful player who wins with power and great hand use.
He won't ever lead the team in sacks, but Flowers is an extremely sound defensive end who could be a great value in the second or third round.
Danielle Hunter, LSU
One of the most interesting prospects in this draft is LSU's Danielle Hunter. When you look at his frame (6'5", 252 lbs) and athleticism, it is hard to not fall in love with Hunter. Furthermore, he is just 20 years old, which indicates he can still develop quite a bit.
However, when you watch him at LSU, you see a player who lacks a real understanding of the nuances to playing defensive end. He has almost no idea how to rush the passer at the moment, and he lacks the bulk to really survive on the edge in the run game at the moment.
Hunter's potential is extremely intriguing, and he is exactly the type of player you would want to get with defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and see if he can develop. Hunter would be an interesting player to consider in the second or third round.
Running Back
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The minute that DeMarco Murray signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, running back became a huge need in Dallas. Even with the addition of Darren McFadden, the Cowboys should still look to grab a bell-cow running back in the NFL draft.
With Ryan Williams, Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle and McFadden already in the fold, the Cowboys have plenty of specialized running backs, but they really need a running back who could potentially carry the load in Dallas.
Todd Gurley, Georgia
The premier prospect at the running back position this year is Geogia's Todd Gurley. If Gurley weren't in the midst of recovering from a torn ACL, he would likely be a top-15 pick; however, since he is recovering from the torn ACL, he could be available when Dallas is on the clock at No. 27.
When he's healthy, Gurley showcases the elite power, speed, elusiveness and vision that you want in a running back. Gurley can pound it inside and get the dirty yards, but he can also bounce to the outside and hit the home run.
If available, Gurley would likely be the favorite for the Cowboys' first-round selection; however, it will be interesting to see if he makes it that far.
Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
Ameer Abdullah is a game-breaking running back who can take it to the house in almost any situation. He is an athletic freak who wins in a multitude of ways.
Abdullah isn't a good pass-blocker, but he is a willing blocker who just needs some seasoning with his technique.
In nearly every other facet, Abdullah is exceptional, as he understands the tempo and pacing of a zone run, while also having the agility and change-of-direction skills to make the most out of any play.
If the Cowboys miss out on Gurley in the first, Abdullah should be on their short list of potential targets in the second.
Duke Johnson, Miami
Duke Johnson doesn't have the appearance of any every-down back, but every trait he has indicates that he can thrive as a bell cow.
Johnson is the best zone-running back, outside of Gurley, in the draft as he has the patience, vision and agility to excel on the myriad of zone runs the Cowboys utilize every Sunday.
Johnson is also a huge threat in the passing game, as he runs very good routes with soft hands, and he can turn a checkdown in the flats into a 50-yard touchdown.
Johnson is another running back who should be a target for Dallas in the second round.
Nose Tackle
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A position that has underperformed for Dallas the past few years has been nose tackle. Even though Nick Hayden gives his all on every single snap, he just isn't talented enough to produce at an even marginal level in the NFL.
At the moment, the Cowboys have Hayden, Terrell McClain, Amobi Okoye and Ken Bishop as players who could potentially start at the nose tackle position. While some of the players could be decent, they haven't shown that they are starting-quality players. This is why the Cowboys could look to upgrade the position in the draft this year.
Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa
Xavier Williams is a large man with surprising athleticism who could potentially give the Cowboys a little bit more production from the interior defensive line.
Williams has a great motor and exceptional toughness to carry out the difficult tasks in the middle of the defense. Furthermore, Williams could give the Cowboys some pass rush from the middle as he has a quick first step and solid hand use.
Williams would be a great Day 3 selection who could potentially start for Dallas at some point this season.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Southern Mississippi
Rakeem Nunez-Roches doesn't have the girth that you would like in a nose tackle, but he does get upfield well, and he can be a one-gap penetrator the Cowboys haven't had at the nose tackle position in recent years.
Nunez-Roches is another high-motor player, but he wins with quickness and balance to get through his gap and into the backfield.
He's not the type who could step in and survive against double-teams on a regular basis, but he could develop into that with some seasoning.
Nunez-Roches is another Day 3 player who could make an immediate impact. He could be a penetrating nose tackle for Dallas as he develops the strength to hold up in the run game.
Terry Williams, East Carolina
Terry Williams is the rare type of defensive tackle who not only has the immense size to play the nose but also the great quickness to penetrate from the interior defensive line.
Williams is a player whose tape is fantastic, but off-field concerns will push him down to the late rounds in this draft.
Williams resets the line of scrimmage extremely well versus the run, and he pushes the pocket well against the pass. He has the strength to fight through double-teams and the quickness to quickly get into the opposing backfield.
Like the other two players mentioned, Williams could be a potential target on Day 3, but unlike the other two, Williams could step in and be a day-one starter.
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Cornerback
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If Todd Gurley isn't available in the first round, cornerback looks to be the most likely position that the Cowboys would spend a first-round pick on.
The only cornerback that Dallas can count on is Orlando Scandrick as Brandon Carr's situation still needs to play out, and it's impossible to count on Morris Claiborne. Corey White looks to be a possible slot cornerback for Dallas, and Tyler Patmon proved he is a player Dallas should try to develop.
Luckily for Dallas, there are a plethora of cornerbacks who could step in and make plays for Dallas.
Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
There is not a cornerback with better feet in this draft than Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson. He combines those quick and fluid feet with mobile hips and excellent balance.
Johnson has shown the ability to thrive in zone or man coverage, as he seamlessly combines nearly all the traits that the Cowboys covet in cornerbacks.
He understands how to play in press and off coverage as he can disrupt the wide receiver at the line of scrimmage or make a flat-footed read and undercut a dig route.
Johnson would be a great value for Dallas at pick No. 27 and would instantly upgrade Dallas' secondary from day one.
Byron Jones, Connecticut
The most athletic player in this draft class is Connecticut's Byron Jones, and he combines that elite athleticism with great game tape, which indicates he could possibly become an elite cornerback in the NFL.
Jones has the acceleration to break on underneath routes and the long speed to stick with deep post or go routes. He showcases the type of recovery speed that is extremely valuable in a cornerback. He has above-average instincts to sniff out double moves and rub routes on a consistent basis.
Jones is a late rise in the process who should warrant some consideration in the first round. If he is available to Dallas in the second, it should sprint to the podium with his name in hand.
Steven Nelson, Oregon State
The fact that the Cowboys love to play zone makes a player such as Oregon State's Steven Nelson extremely valuable to Dallas in this draft.
Nelson is a fiercely competitive cornerback who understands how to play zone at an extremely high level. He can stay underneath and cover the short zones, or he can drop and play deep zones.
He also isn't afraid to stick his nose in and contribute in run support. He will lay the wood when necessary, and he has the potential to energize the defense.
Nelson could be a great player for the Cowboys to target in the third round and possibly earn time as the No. 2 cornerback.
Free Safety
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One position that fans have been calling to be upgraded is free safety. The Cowboys have failed to have a true free safety since Darren Woodson retired.
At the moment, J.J. Wilcox fills that spot, but his strengths appear to align much better as a strong safety rather than as a free safety. Behind Wilcox, the only player with some free safety traits is Jakar Hamilton, but he hasn't shown the ability to play at a high level thus far in his short NFL career.
While the Cowboys may go another year without addressing the position, there are some players who could potentially fill the hole at free safety.
Damarious Randall, Arizona State
Damarious Randall is an extremely versatile defender who can play as a single-high safety or as a slot cornerback in the nickel. He is a hyper-aggressive player who will allow some big plays, while also making his fair share of big plays as well.
He has great range to play the deep middle to go along with the instincts that allow him to take full advantage of his range. He can cover tight ends and wide receivers in man coverage, while also being a fantastic blitzer from the secondary.
Randall leaves a lot to be desired as a run defender, as he comes in too wild, which causes him to overrun and miss a lot of tackles when coming downhill.
Randall could possibly be a target in the second round, but his value would be best in the third.
Derron Smith, Fresno State
Derron Smith isn't the most athletically gifted safety, but he brings a wealth of experience and excellent instincts to the table.
Smith was a four-year starter at Fresno State, which allowed him to play in a variety of situations that will benefit him in the NFL.
Smith's instincts make him a natural fit at free safety, and even though he isn't explosive, he is a smooth athlete with very little wasted motion.
Smith is a potential Day 2 or early-Day 3 target for Dallas who could develop into a starter for Dallas in year two.
Adrian Amos, Penn State
Adrian Amos is a bit raw as a player, but his explosive athleticism and long frame (6'0", 218 lbs) make him an intriguing prospect for Dallas.
Amos has the speed, quickness and agility to play the deep middle, but he lacks the instincts to take full advantage of his physical gifts. He doesn't play the run very well, and he plays the game like an oversized cornerback.
While Amos wouldn't be able to immediately compete for a starting role, he could make a big impact on special teams as he learns the nuances of playing free safety.
Amos could be a great Day 3 gamble that could pay off big time in the future.
Wide Receiver/Kick and Punt Returner
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With Dwayne Harris moving on to the New York Giants, the Cowboys have a glaring need at the No. 5 wide receiver, kick and punt return positions. Harris was extremely valuable because he filled numerous positions by himself.
Undoubtedly, Dallas will look to fill those holes in the draft, and thankfully, there are a couple of players who could even be upgrades over Harris for Dallas.
Kenny Bell, Nebraska
Kenny Bell is an extremely underrated player in this draft class, and he could potentially develop into a great No. 2 wide receiver in the future.
As a receiver, Bell is a polished route-runner with natural hands who understands a good portion of the nuances to being successful as a wide receiver in the NFL. Furthermore, Bell is a ferocious blocker in the run game as he sprung Ameer Abdullah for numerous long runs throughout his career at Nebraska.
Not only is Bell an underrated wide receiver, but he is an extremely capable returner and special teams player as well. He can play on every special teams unit, and he can make an impact as a punt and kick returner.
Bell would be a tremendous get on Day 3 for Dallas, as he would fill numerous holes for Dallas on game day.
Ty Montgomery, Stanford
Ty Montgomery isn't a very good wide receiver, but he can be a fantastic offensive weapon if selected by Dallas. If you ask Montgomery to play as a traditional wide receiver, he will struggle and never realize his full potential. However, if you find unique ways to get the ball in Montgomery's hands, he will make a lot of big plays for the offense.
Furthermore, Montgomery may be the best returner in the draft. He has a dynamic ability in the open field, as he resembles an NFL running back in the way he carries the ball.
Montgomery isn't as versatile as Bell, but he is another player who could be a great selection on Day 3.
Tre McBride, William and Mary
The most fascinating name on this list is Williams and Mary's Tre McBride because he is the only one with the potential to be a very good No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL.
McBride is very similar to Amari Cooper in the ways that he wins. He has deceptive athleticism to go along with precise route running and natural hands. McBride is very good at the catch point, and he isn't afraid to make the tough catches over the middle.
Now, McBride isn't as good of a returner as Montgomery or Bell, but he could be very productive there if need be.
Depending on whom you ask, McBride could go in the second or the fifth round. If Dallas could grab McBride in the third or fourth round, he would be a great value, as he could develop into a fantastic second option next to Dez Bryant for years to come.
Swing Offensive Tackle
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The Cowboys' starting offensive line is set for next year; however, the Cowboys don't have much depth behind the starting five, especially at offensive tackle.
Furthermore, the Cowboys need to start developing an offensive tackle to replace Doug Free as he begins to enter the final few years of his NFL career.
Daryl Williams, Oklahoma
Daryl Williams is as mean and nasty of a player as you can get in this draft. He is a mauler in the run game, as he creates a ton of movement at the line of scrimmage. He understands how to work to the second level, and despite his lack of athleticism, he is good in space.
He doesn't have the prettiest technique, but he understands how to get the job done in pass protection. He is going to claw and fight through all four quarters of a game, and he will eventually wear down opponents.
Williams could be a potential target in the third or fourth round, and he would give Dallas a swing tackle who could back up Free and Tyron Smith until he takes over for Free when he moves on.
Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin
Another player who isn't pretty but gets the job done is Wisconsin's Rob Havenstein. He isn't as dominant as Williams at the point of attack, but he knows how to position his body to create creases for running backs to dart through.
In pass protection, Havenstein has good footwork, but he lacks the athleticism to consistently block speed rushers off the edge. He would likely need some tight end help if he were asked to step in early.
Havenstein would be a good value on Day 3 and someone worth being developed over the next two or three years.
Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
Coming into this year, Cedric Ogbuehi was a consensus top-10 pick; however, a disappointing year and a torn ACL have caused his stock to fall off the map.
When he is healthy, Ogbuehi is a great athlete with nimble feet who matches up well with speed rushers in the NFL. In the run game, Ogbuehi isn't an overwhelming blocker, but he uses his feet to wall off and turn defenders.
The biggest negative about Ogbuehi is that he has an awful punch and poor hands. Even though his lower body often gets him in good position, his poor punch and hands cause him to get beaten much more than he should.
Because of Ogbuehi's knee injury, he could potentially miss his entire rookie year. However, his talent is too much to pass up, and if he's sitting there in the fourth or fifth round, he'd be hard to overlook.
Quarterback of the Future
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Tony Romo is not a spring chicken, and this may be the year that the Cowboys look for their quarterback of the future. At the moment, the Cowboys only have Dustin Vaughan, and he doesn't appear to be much more than a developmental backup for the Cowboys.
This isn't the best quarterback class, but there are a couple who could potentially be fits for Dallas in the future.
Chris Bonner, Colorado State-Pueblo
Even though Bonner hails from a small school, he has big-time talent. He has prototypical size (6'7", 225 lbs) for the position to go along with a great arm, good accuracy and nimble feet in the pocket.
Unlike most quarterbacks in this class, Bonner has experience playing from under center and calling plays in the huddle. He understands how to manipulate the pocket, and he can execute from a variety of drops. He can operate inside and outside the structure of a play, and he has the potential to be a star quarterback in the NFL.
Because he is from such a small school, Bonner will likely go much later than he should. If Dallas grabbed him on Day 3, he would be a tremendous investment in the future of the franchise.
Bryce Petty, Baylor
Bryce Petty comes from a much bigger school than Bonner, but he has yet to showcase the NFL abilities that Bonner has in college.
Unlike Bonner, Petty doesn't have experience calling plays in a huddle or executing checks at the line of scrimmage. Petty is a difficult evaluation because most of what he did at Baylor isn't translatable to what Dallas does on offense.
Petty has a very good arm and throws a beautiful deep ball; however, anytime he has pressure in his face, he struggles.
Petty will likely cost a second-round pick, which may be too rich for the Cowboys' taste.
Hutson Mason, Georgia
One player the Cowboys could grab in the seventh round or potentially in undrafted free agency is Georgia's Hutson Mason.
Mason hails from a pro-style offense at Georgia, and he understands how to make checks and read defenses from under center. When he is in rhythm, Matson throws a beautiful and accurate ball to any point on the field.
Things get a little muddier once he's asked to move off his spot and make plays on the move.
Mason is a low-risk and potentially high-reward pick in the seventh round, as he could potentially develop into a capable starter in the NFL.
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