Dallas Cowboys: Analyzing the Role and Expectations of Each Player in the Cowboys Draft Class

If the season started tomorrow, could any of the Cowboys draft picks start right away? Since help is needed on the offensive line would Garrett and Double J be OK with having Tyron Smith protect Romo’s blindside or playing the right side of the line?

Is Bruce Carter’s knee well enough for him to make a significant impact at linebacker and will Demarco Murray take carries away from Tashard Choice and Felix Jones?

As with any NFL draft, speculation runs rampant about who will make the biggest impact and who will be the best rookie on the team. Since Tyron Smith was the team’s first choice he will have the pressure of being the team’s best rookie.

The Cowboys play in one of the toughest divisions in football and with multiple games against the Eagles, Giants, and Redskins coming soon; Dallas will need an immediate impact from a few of their rooks.

So what should Cowboys fans expect out of first round pick Tyron Smith and the rest of the class? Lets take a peek into the future to see.

Tyron Smith, 1st Round, 9th Pick

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) poses for a photo with Tyron Smith, #9 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys, on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotma

Smith says that the ‘Boys want him to play on the left side when he spoke with the Dallas media on a conference call soon after he was drafted. I still believe that he’ll play on the right side in 2011 but if the Cowboys some kind of way allow Doug Free to get in the wind then maybe he’ll someday become the anchor of the Cowboys line.

Next season we should expect to see Smith start on the right side of the Cowboys offensive line as Marc Colombo’s days in Dallas are pretty much over.

Bruce Carter, 2nd Round, 40th Pick

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NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Bruce Carter #54 of the North Carolina Tar Heels intercepts a pass intented for Keith Stroud #15 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter at Rutgers Stadium on September 25, 2010 in New Brunswick, New Jers

Carter’s knee won’t be ready until the summer and the Cowboys expect for him to be ready for training camp. He won’t start right away as he’ll have to cut his teeth on special teams and in nickel duty but he has a large window of opportunity in front of him.

Bradie James and Keith Brooking are both being aged out in Dallas as Sean Lee and Carter are being groomed to take over for them. If Carter works out well next season then Dallas will have no reason to re-sign James after the 2011 season.

In regards to Carters rookie season, I expect for him to have a decent showing but nothing earth shattering.

Demarco Murray, 3rd Round, 71st Pick

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball as he is hit bu Lawrence Wilson #8 of the Connecticut Huskies in the second quarter during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 201

Murray kind of came out of nowhere to Cowboys fans. He didn’t really appear on any Cowboys mocks as most believed that Dallas would focus on needs like the secondary and defensive line.

But Murray’s speed and talent wouldn’t allow Jerry to pass on him and he should contribute right away. Murray will be a great special teams player and should contribute pretty well on third downs and maybe in the slot as a receiver.

As evidenced by his talk to KRLD 105.3 “The Fan” in Dallas, he’s anxious to get started.

David Arkin, 4th Round, 110th Pick

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 03: The Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award is displayed during a press conference where the New England Patriots received the award for being this year's best offensive line, as determined by John Madden and fan voting, at the Su

Arkin has been described as aggressive in just about every single piece I’ve seen on the young man. He’s durable and the Cowboys could use some of that on the line.

Arkin played right guard the majority of his college career and moved to left tackle his senior season. He won’t play left tackle for the Cowboys but with Leonard Davis on thin ice in Dallas Arkin may play sooner than later.

If Davis continues to slip then it wouldn’t surprise me to see Arkin start early in the 2011 season.

Joshua Thomas, 5th Round, 143rd Pick

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Nate Davis #13 of the Ball State Cardinals is hit on the goal line by Josh Thomas #15, Mike Newton #30 and Justin Winters #34 of the Buffalo Bulls in the MAC Championship game on December 5, 2008 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Unless Thomas has an outstanding training camp where the ‘Boys have no choice but to start him I believe Joshua will see special teams and nickel duty next season.

Thomas knocked down 29 passes at Buffalo and that’s fifth best on the school’s all-time list. He’s small, standing at 5’10” and 196 pounds, Thomas will have to prove that he’s able to play with the likes of Steve Smith and DeSean Jackson.

Until he gets to that point expect to see flashes of Thomas and not the full picture next season.

Dwayne Harris, 6th Round, 176 Pick

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BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 18: Wide receiver Dwayne Harris #17 of the East Carolina Pirates is tackled by linebacker Davon Morgan #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Im

No matter how much talent Harris may have the Cowboys did not need another wide receiver. This type of pick is a Detroit Lions type of selection when Matt Millen was in charge of the Lions.

The Cowboys need help on the defensive line and the secondary and Harris can’t rush the passer unless there’s something I don’t know.

But in regards to Harris you’ll probably see him in the slot and on special teams. Sam Hurd won’t be back and Jerry is probably looking for a replacement for Roy Williams. Too bad the team had to spend a draft pick looking for him.

Shaun Chapas, 7th Round, 220th Pick

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Shaun Chapas #49 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The fullback position has been one of slight concern for the Cowboys. Last season starter Chris Gronkowski missed two key blocks that led to the injury of two Cowboys starters.

Gronkowski’s missed block against a blitzing Michael Boley of the Giants led to Romo’s shoulder meeting the ground. He had another hiccup when he missed a block that led to Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant fracturing his ankle.

While Chapas doesn’t have the job locked down, there should be a nice competition to see who will lead the way for Felix, Tashard or Demarco.

Bill Nagy, 7th Round, 252nd Pick

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: The Wisconsin Badgers huddle together during their game against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Cowboys own Mr. Irrelevant. 

Nagy played center and guard in college and will most likely play guard in the league. I don’t foresee Nagy starting right away as Dallas is likely to spend time trying to develop the 7^th round draft pick.

If the Cowboys have the same type of injury plagued 2011 as they did last season then we may see the former Wisconsin Badger sooner than later.