SA: Draft, not free agency, to fill voids for Cowboys

[CCBoy]

Draft, not free agency, to fill voids for Cowboys
JAIME ARON, AP Pro Football Writer



ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The way Dallas Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones sees it, the lockout has helped shape the team's draft strategy.

Or, rather, the work stoppage has kept their draft plans from taking too much shape.

In a typical offseason, Dallas already would have plugged some holes by signing free agents. Since that hasn't been an option, the Cowboys go into this week's draft still trying to fix all the holes exposed while going 6-10 last season.

"I think that pushes us more toward picking the very best player on the board and not being tainted by a particular need," Jones said. "We could, for the most part, pick any position and it would be a good pick for us."

The Cowboys have the ninth overall pick Thursday night, and appear to be eyeing an offensive tackle or a defensive end. Scouting director Tom Ciskowski said if things break the way the club expects, they would be deciding between four players.

Tyron Smith of Southern Cal and Anthony Castonzo of Boston College are the likely tackle targets. J.J. Watt of Wisconsin and Aldon Smith of Missouri are the likely defensive ends.



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