2011 NFL Draft Results: Projecting the Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
Man, things are moving fast, aren’t they? The NFL draft just ended and we’re rolling toward the start of training ca—wait—I forgot that there is a lockout going on. All of this football talk got a brother a little excited.
Nevertheless, the Cowboys are a new-look team. A couple of new offensive linemen are a part of the squad, and the ‘Boys drafted a new running back to return kicks and possibly replace Marion Barber.
With new linebacker Bruce Carter aboard, will team owner Jerry Jones get rid of Keith Brooking? Now that the team has fullback Shaun Chapas, does that make Chris Gronkowski expendable?
Let's take a peek at the potential 2011 Cowboys depth chart.
Quarterbacks
1 of 10
Tony Romo, Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee: The Cowboys quarterback situation shouldn’t change. Romo is back healthy as a unicorn, Jon Kitna played nicely in backup duty for the injured Romo, and McGee developed nicely last season as well.
Dallas really has no reason to make a change here unless the Double J has a desire to get younger as Kitna is about to be aged out.
Running Backs
2 of 10
Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, DeMarco Murray and Lonyae Miller: Unless Barber is able to find the fountain of youth in the offseason, I have to believe he’s played his last down in Cowboytown.
Murray may return kicks and punts, but his versatility won’t allow him to sit on the bench long.
Between Choice and Jones, Dallas has two great options in the backfield, and if Murray lines up in the slot and plays well as a change-of-pace back, then Dallas should have one of the best running games in the league.
Wide Receivers
3 of 10
Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Dwayne Harris, Roy Williams, Manuel Johnson, Kevin Ogletree: Tough to say with the addition of Harris if Ogletree will keep that star on the side of his helmet.
Big Roy Williams is too expensive to trade, and Austin and Bryant could develop into the most dangerous receiving tandem in the NFL.
Romo will have plenty of weapons to choose from this season with a healthy stable of receivers lined up on both sides of him.
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Tight Ends
4 of 10
Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, John Phillips: Last season, Phillips seemed poised to pass Bennett on the depth chart to claim that No. 2 spot, but a torn ACL kind of derailed his chances.
If he’s able to get back to that point this season, then Bennett had better watch his back. Until that day comes, look for Bennett to continue to rely on his potential instead of skill.
Witten is as durable as they come and with him being Romo's safety valve, his job is pretty set.
Offensive Line
5 of 10
LT – Doug Free and Jermey Parnell
LG – Kyle Kosier and Montrae Holland
Center – Andre Gurode and Phil Costa
RG – Leonard Davis and David Arkin
RT – Tyron Smith and Sam Young:
As a former lineman myself back in my little league days, I think these spots are the most important. Check it, Dallas couldn’t get past the line of scrimmage running the ball at one point last season, and it was due partly to their offensive line.
My man Doug Free and Leonard Davis are earth movers, and with the addition of Tyron Smith, the Cowboys line should improve greatly.
Defensive Line
6 of 10
Jay Ratliff, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher, Igor Olshansky, Josh Brent: I’m inclined to believe that the ‘Boys will sign a free-agent defensive lineman. Olshansky was a disappointment last season, and Jerry has a desire to improve to improve the defensive front.
With Ratliff possibly moving to defensive end, Ryan will probably push for a larger nose tackle to plug the line.
Linebackers
7 of 10
Anthony Spencer, Bradie James, DeMarcus Ware, Sean Lee, Bruce Carter, Victor Butler, Brandon Williams, Keith Brooking: I know that Brooking was a liability in coverage last season, but he brings such a great deal of leadership to that Cowboys locker room that it's almost worth keeping him for that fact alone.
Sean Lee’s game will improve this season, but how much so is the question. Lee is Brooking’s future replacement and if he’s able to make the jump, then Brooking is as good as gone.
Carter will move to inside linebacker and the team has plans of playing the athletic rookie in the nickel this year.
But with the Cowboys' recent track record in picking linebackers, I wouldn’t expect much from the former North Carolina standout.
Cornerbacks
8 of 10
Terrance Newman, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Josh Thomas, Alan Ball, Bryan McCann: Ball was a disaster last year for the ‘Boys but what options do they have?
His natural position is cornerback and if Dallas signs a free-agent safety, then Ball may have no need to find work.
With the addition of Josh Thomas, this position should improve slightly.
If the Cowboys are serious about making a deep run into the playoffs, then the defensive backfield must improve.
Safeties
9 of 10
Gerald Sensabaugh, Barry Church, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Danny McCray:
Maybe it’s just me, but Sensabaugh will forever be known for losing the ball in the lights up in Minnesota. But he’s decent enough for the Cowboys to keep, and the Cowboys can’t really afford to let him go.
Rumors abound that the team will sign Michael Huff, and if they do, he’ll be a nice match with Sensabaugh.
Church and Owusu-Ansah aren’t good enough to take over as starters, and if the team decides to go that route, then expect more of the same from the Cowboys defense next season.
Special Teams
10 of 10
David Buehler, Mat McBriar, L.P. LaDouceur: Buehler is still developing and the Cowboys made a mistake in getting rid of Nick Folk so quickly. Buehler has a strong leg and with more time he’ll develop into a pretty good kicker.
McBriar is one of the best punters in the league and he’s a key asset for Dallas on defense as he has the ability to pin the opposing team pretty deep in their own territory.
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