2011 NFL Draft Results: Report Card for the Dallas Cowboys' First Round

Coming into the 2011 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys were in need of a new team.

They needed help on the offensive line, the secondary, linebacker, defensive line, front office, a new hot-dog cart guy and a parking attendant.

Luckily, your local Dallas Cowboys can only draft one player at a time.

With the ninth pick of the first round in this year’s draft the ‘Boys went with offensive tackle Tyron Smith out of USC. The Cowboys acknowledged their issues on the offensive line, and chose the most athletic player available.

While many wanted Dallas to go with the Prince, Jerry Jones chose to address a glaring team need.

Smith has the needed size and strength to become an elite pass- and run-blocker in the NFL. He’s able to move around in space and has plenty of room to develop under Cowboys offensive line coach Hudson Houck.

Dallas had the chance to improve their secondary with Prince Amukamara, or their linebacking core by trading up for Von Miller. Instead, they went with Mr. Smith, and for that I give Jerry and his kids a B+.

The Cowboys have needed an upgrade to the offensive line since 2007; just ask Tony Romo.

He was tossed around like a rag doll against the Vikings in the playoffs and before that the Giants drove him crazy in another playoff matchup.

Romo will love that he has another young, athletic guy up front to protect his interests. He may sleep easier at night because of it.

However, Smith will need time to develop, as he needs to work on his leverage and blitz pickup. In the NFC Beast the Cowboys play four games against two teams who love to blitz: the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Houck will love Smith’s athletic ability, and I’m sure Garrett will get creative on how he uses the 307-pound offensive tackle. But in the interim the Cowboys grade out pretty high in choosing an offensive tackle who could become an anchor for their line for the next 10 years.

Next season the ‘Boys will face some pretty tough defensive fronts, with the Lions, Bucs, Eagles and Giants all on deck. Detroit drafted former Auburn defensive lineman Nick Fairley to bolster their already scary defensive front, and the Giants always give the Cowboys problems.

With the addition of Tyron Smith, we may see Tony Romo standing upright and healthy after Dallas' matchups with the likes of Ndamukong Suh and Justin Tuck trying to take his head off this season.