Thanks to a Draft Day trade a year ago the Cowboys had two first round picks and as a result they were the focus of much speculation in the months leading up to the draft. In the end Jerry Jones resisted the temptation to make a flashy move and instead chose to fortify an already impressive roster. This class may not feature an immediate starter but it could be just what the doctor ordered to put Dallas over the top as they make their Super Bowl run.
Going all the way back to the start of the college season there was speculation about Dallas using their two #1 picks as bait to trade up for Darren McFadden. Jerry Jones certainly coveted McFadden and would have loved to bring him into the fold but at the end of the day that was all a lot more smoke than fire. The cost was simply too prohibitive. The Cowboys still needed to replace Julius Jones though and to no one's surprise they did wind up selecting an Arkansas running back with their top pick. Felix Jones to Dallas was a pick that everyone and their grandmother had pegged in their mocks since the day the draft order was finalized and there was a reason for that: It just made too much sense not to happen! Jones played Robin to McFadden's Batman in college but don't think for a second that he isn't a fantastic talent and top pro prospect in his own right. Jones may not have been a starter in college but he always found a way to contribute and that was actually excellent training for the role he will play in Dallas as a rookie. A big play threat who can impact a game as a runner, receiver and return man, Jones will be a perfect compliment to Pro Bowler Marion Barber, providing the lightning to his thunder. Many Dallas fans were clamoring for Rashard Mendenhall when he fell further than expected but while Mendenhall may be a better player Jones was a better fit for Dallas and they chose the right guy. The Cowboys running game was formidable last year with the duo of Barber / Jones but it should be even better in 2008, which is a scary proposition for opponents that have to stop them.
With their other first round pick the Cowboys actually traded up a couple of spots to nab South Florida's Mike Jenkins, who they reportedly had rated as the #2 cornerback in the draft. In fact, Jenkins could have very easily gone 10-15 picks higher and nobody would have batted an eye. A great athlete who has everything you look for physically in a top pro corner, Jenkins was overshadowed throughout the draft process by guys like Leodis McKelvin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Aqib Talib to a certain degree and may have actually been a little underrated. Cornerback was arguably the Cowboys #1 need going into the draft with Anthony Henry getting up there in years and even though they did trade for Pacman Jones he hasn't even been reinstated yet and certainly can't be counted on once he is. If he is reinstated that is... Look for Jenkins to start out as the nickel guy, which is essentially a starter in today's NFL, and don't be surprised if he is ultimately starting opposite Terence Newman, if not in 2008 then in 2009. Jenkins was a potential steal as #25.
In round two the Cowboys replaced backup tight end Anthony Fasano, who they traded to Miami in a pre-draft deal, with Martellus Bennett of Texas A&M. Just to give you an idea of what kind of pure athlete Bennett is, he actually entered the NBA Draft out of high school! A great physical specimen, Bennett was never really able to fulfill his potential in the Aggies run-orientated offense and had he played at Miami (FL) he might have been a first round pick. On the plus side Bennett was able to develop as a blocker which will serve him well with Dallas because that will likely be his top priority. Bennett still has a lot of upside and probably could have made a bigger impact had he landed with another team but in Dallas he will be stuck behind Pro Bowler Jason Witten for the foreseeable future. In round four Dallas added yet another running back when they chose Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice. Even though he may not have elite size or speed Choice is a natural runner who was very productive and actually a bit similar to Marion Barber. Ironically Choice was probably selected as insurance for Barber, who at the time of the draft was set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason and was asking more than Dallas was willing to pay. Since Barber has now been re-signed Choice will be buried on the depth chart and will have to settle in as the #3 guy and only an injury will net him serious playing time in '08. Round four was a bit early for a third-string running back.
Dallas may have gotten themselves a steal in round five when they chose Boise St. cornerback Orlando Scandrick, who many felt would be a 2nd or 3rd rounder. A "Workout Warrior" who had his coming out party at the Scouting Combine when he ran a 4.32 forty at 5-10 and 192 lbs., Scandrick excels in man coverage and had he gone back for his senior year he probably would've gone much earlier. As it stands Scandrick will battle for the dime job as a rookie but how big of a role he actually plays in 2008 will likely depend on what happens with Pacman Jones. Either way Scandrick further bolsters the Cowboys depth at cornerback and was a tremendous value pick. With their final choice in the 2008 NFL Draft the Cowboys chose Middle Tennessee St. defensive end Erik Walden in round six. A classic DE / OLB 'tweener, Walden has some experience lining up as a rush linebacker and that is the role he will be asked to play in Dallas. However, the Cowboys have a lot of depth at outside linebacker and unless he really impresses the best Walden can probably hope for is a third-string spot on the depth chart and he could even be a candidate for the practice squad as a developmental guy. Also, it's hard to label someone who was a 6th round pick as "a reach" but it doesn't sound like many teams had Walden graded as a draftable prospect.
Entering the draft the Cowboys didn't have many glaring holes they needed to address but the few they did have were taken care of with their first three selections. Unless there is an injury neither Felix Jones or Mike Jenkins will be starters in 2008 yet you could make the case that they will still play integral roles for Dallas. Sure they could have packaged some picks in an effort to make a big splash but the Cowboys didn't need to do that. Instead they added some much-needed depth at key positions and supplemented an already talented roster with players who were, for the most part, very good values. You can always nitpick one or two selections but the bottom line is Dallas used this draft to shore up their roster for 2008 and this class helps get them one step closer to their ultimate goal: The Super Bowl.
GRADE: B+
