NFL Draft 2011: Will the Dallas Cowboys Shake Up the Draft by Trading Back?

Was there a bigger disappointment in the NFL in 2010 than the Dallas Cowboys?

Many had predicted the Cowboys would be the first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium. But instead, they needed a strong second half of the season to finish 6-10.

An in-season coaching change from Wade Phillips to Jason Garrett seemed to energize the team. The offense improved once veteran QB Jon Kitna took over for injured starter Tony Romo.

The offense was not what held the Cowboys back, though. The defense was perhaps one of the worst in the history of the franchise. Dallas couldn’t stop the run or the pass with any consistency.

The struggles of the Dallas defense didn’t extend to OLB DeMarcus Ware, though. Ware was his usual productive self and led the league with 15.5 sacks.

The Cowboys possess a strong linebacker unit as a whole. Second-year ILB Sean Lee appears ready to take over for veteran Keith Brooking, who often showed his age last year. OLB Anthony Spencer could use a bounce-back year after a strong 2009.

Dallas has many holes in the secondary. Mike Jenkins had a strong year in 2009, making the Pro Bowl. Last year, though, he and veteran CB Terence Newman often found themselves in other teams' highlight reels. Jenkins was burned deep often and led the team in interference penalties.

The safety positions could both be improved. Neither Gerald Sensabaugh nor Alan Ball is the answer. Part of Jenkins and Newman’s problems were the lack of help they received from safeties. There is depth in this draft at the safety position,  but look for Dallas to use free agency to upgrade this positions once (if) it begins.

Jerry Jones has resisted drafting offensive lineman high for many years and it is beginning to catch up to him. Doug Free appears to be a find on the left side. But Marc Colombo, Leonard Davis, Kyle Kosier and Andre Gurode could all be improved upon. And all are aging.  

So what are the Cowboys' three biggest needs heading into the NFL draft?

Cornerback

 Jenkins is entering his fourth season, and this is a crucial one for him. Can he prove last year was just a setback and 2009 is what everyone should expect from him?

Newman is getting older and not better. His game has shown signs of slipping for a few years now, but he is still serviceable. But for the money he is paid, serviceable is not good enough.

This could be Newman‘s last season in Dallas.

Orlando Scandrick is a solid nickel corner. He isn’t suited to start but can fill in capably. He is adequate in his role. Brian McCann, the undrafted rookie from SMU, was a revelation at times last season. But is he ready for a bigger role?

The Cowboys are in a good position to grab the second-best CB in the draft, Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara, with the ninth selection. The Cowboys could wait until the second round and draft someone such as Virginia’s Ras-I Dowling or one of the Texas CBs, Aaron Williams and Curtis Brown.

Offensive Tackle

 Doug Free was a fourth-round selection in 2007 from Northern Illinois. Free has played well since taking over as the starter at LT. Some wonder if Free may be better off on the right side long term, but for now, Free is solid.

Marc Colombo revitalized his career in Dallas under former coach Bill Parcells. Colombo, a former first-round pick, appeared to be done with football until Parcells brought him in. But injuries and age have caught up with Colombo and there are no viable options behind him currently on the roster.

Dallas has been linked with USC OT Tyron Smith often. Smith appears to be a natural fit at either tackle spot and could come in and start at RT from Day 1. Smith’s athleticism and mobility are coveted by NFL teams and he could an excellent fit at LT down the line.

There is no other offensive lineman who would be worth selecting with the ninth pick. So if Dallas trades back, other options could be Colorado’s Nate Solder or BC’s Anthony Castonzo.

Safety

 This could perhaps be Dallas’ biggest need but there doesn’t appear to be any college safeties who would be ready to help immediately. Rahim Moore of UCLA is generally ranked as the best safety in this draft and he is at best a second-round pick.

There is depth with this position. Players such as Ahmad Black, DeAndre McDaniel, Jaiquawn Jarrett and Jerrard Tarrant all project to go anywhere from the third to the fifth round. All possess good skills and could be NFL starters down the line.

Dallas could go in a number of directions with their first pick. They could choose DE J.J. Watt from Wisconsin to help bolster the defensive line. While new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has said he will not move Pro Bowl NT Jay Ratliff back to DE to prevent him from wearing down late in the season, if he does move him, selecting a nose tackle with their second pick could be an option.

Look for the Cowboys to try to move back, but so many other teams want to move back as well. If Dallas stays at 9, look for the pick to br Amukamara or Tyron Smith. If either of those guys are the pick, Cowboy fans should be happy.

Not only do they fill a need, both look to be solid NFL players long term.