Rather than add to the melting pots of Mock Drafts out there, I’ve decided to take a step back from there and regain perspective on a few things. However I haven’t given up, merely just procrastinating until the week of the event instead. It seems in years past that at this point pundits have had a better grasp on where to place each prospect; however Mock Drafts have been all over the place with The Dallas Cowboys this year.

To prioritize this organization’s needs can seem a bit difficult at times, however the first question that must be asked is “What is the most important position on an NFL Roster?” If you’ve answered anything but the quarterback, then you are sadly mistaken. The truth is that through the good and bad, it doesn’t change the fact that Tony Romo is the most important player on this team. Tony got paid, and he deserves every penny of his guaranteed $55 million. Though saying this can be the thorn in the side of his many detractors; if you believe this team needs to release him and start over, then with all due respect, you are even more delusional than I thought.  So, with that said to place an order on this teams needs becomes a lot simpler and clearer.

Mar 13, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Chance Warmack runs a drill during Alabama pro day at the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports

• Offensive Line- This team has 2 or 3 positions of need depending on how you look at it. If you are optimistic like me then 2 positions are what we are looking at here. Those positions are Right Tackle and Guard. This running game needs a boost, and it getting a Right Tackle with some power helps not only the running game but also Tony Romo. Speaking of that many of the 36 sacks taken last year came from the interior, that is where a Guard would do wonders to keep the quarterback on his feet and give him more time. Realistically speaking, Prospects that fit these needs are as follows: (in no particular order)

• Jonathan Cooper-G- North Carolina        
• DJ Fluker-T-Alabama
• Chance Warmack-G-Alabama                    
• Larry Warford-G-Kentucky
• Lane Johnson-T-Oklahoma                        
• Terron Armstead-T-Arkansas Pine Bluff
• Barrett Jone G/C/T-Alabama                     
• Justin Pugh-G-Syracuse

• Safety- This trumps the Defensive Line at this point due to the uncertainty level at the position. As much as the coaches praise Barry Church, and Achilles injury worries me a lot. Place that with the fact that Matt Johnson couldn’t seem to stay healthy for an hour, we have some issues looming. Will Allen has the RKG tendencies that Garrett always speaks of, but I’m not yet convinced. The Tampa-2 requires a smart and skilled Safety to be a leader in the backfield. Some prospects that fit this need is as follows: (in no particular order)

• Kenny Vaccaro-S-Texas                  
• JJ Wilcox-S-Georgia Southern
• Eric Reid-S-LSU                                    
• Phillip Thomas-S-Fresno State
• Matt Elam-S-Florida                          
•  Baccari Rambo-S-Georgia
• Jonathan Cyprien- Florida Int’l    
• Shamarko Thomas-S-Syracuse

• Defensive Line- On this unit, much like The Offensive Line there are possibly a few areas that could use an upgrade. With the recent acquiring of Justin Durant, I believe it may be safe to say that this year’s training camp battle begins at The SAM Linebacker position. Also with that said, other than maybe another late round addition, I’m marking that off the list of needs on the Defensive Line. That leaves a need at Defensive Tackle in both the 1 and 3 Technique. My thought is that this team will find Jay Ratliff as a good starter in the 3 Technique, but that doesn’t take them out of the rough yet. A 1-Tech is a sure need because Josh Brent isn’t coming back. The 1-Tech requires a “big boy” in the middle to help stuff the run. This team could also use some insurance at Defensive End. Some prospects who could fill these needs are as follows: (in no particular order)

• Star Lotulelei-DT-Utah                                    
• Sheldon Richardson-DT-Missouri
• Johnathan Hankins-DT-Ohio State            
• Kawann Short-DT-Purdue
• Sylvester Williams-DT-North Carolina      
•  Bjoern Werner-DE-Florida State
• Dion Jordan-DE-Oregon                                   
• Ezekiel Ansah-DE-BYU
• Alex Okafor-DE-Texas                                      
• Sam Montgomery-DE-LSU
• Cornelius Carradine-DE-Florida State
• Brandon Williams-DT-Missouri Southern State
• Barkevious Mingo- OLB-LSU
• Margus Hunt-DE-SMU

• Running Back- Although some have said that Felix Jones could come back, I don’t believe this team is too keen on the backup plan being injury prone. This offense needs a back that can spell DeMarco Murray when needed but also be able to handle the load if called upon. Neither Phillip Tanner nor Lance Dunbar in my opinion are cut from that cloth. The Dallas Cowboys will most likely be looking to fill this spot with a late round draft pick. Some prospects that could be of some assistance are: (in no particular order)

• Montee Ball-RB-Wisconsin                         
• Le’Veon Bell-RB-Michigan State
• Stepfan Taylor-RB-Stanford                      
• Marcus Lattimore-RB-South Carolina
• Andre Ellington-RB-Clemson                    
• Rex Burkhead-RB-Nebraska

This may seem like a lot to digest, and many may be pondering why the likes of Joeckel or Fisher haven’t made the list, but I don’t see the Cowboys trading up for either of those Offensive Tackles. I have always believed that this team needs to make a play at as much quality Offensive Lineman they can find. Even if the Cowboys are able to sign a proven veteran at Guard like Brandon Moore, I will stand pat that drafting O-Line is still the 1^st priority. As I have been preaching all along the best way for The Dallas Cowboys to go from “pretender” to “contender” is to improve these trenches. If this organization is able to make some “choice” selections in that area, this team can perhaps finally average more points than their opponents.

Ladies and Gents, we have a month. Who knows what may happen in this time regarding Free Agents, or current roster holders; however something tells me that a lot of things will come to fruition within the next few weeks. Now that the Cowboys have locked up there Franchise Quarterback, they will most likely be shifting focus into getting Anthony Spencer into a cap-friendly deal. What will be interesting is what the team will choose to do with their new-found savings. If I’m Stephen Jones, I’m looking to the quality Offensive Lineman that are still out there looking for a job; However I’m not losing sight of the only way to improve this organization long-term: The NFL Draft.

However, there are a few contests earlier in the day that hold value for all three remaining NFC East playoff contenders, including the Cowboys. (more…)

Oct 28, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Ryan Broyles (84) dives at the pylon for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Before last weekend’s game against the New York Giants, Jenkins played a total of 21 snaps in the last three games. Coaches explained his lack of playing time to a sore shoulder and specific defensive game-planning. But it’s a move Dallas has made in similar situations when a player is being shopped or is on the waiver bubble.

If Jenkins is truly on the trading block, there are a myriad of teams that could use his services. One of those teams is the Detroit Lions. Currently, their cornerback depth includes Chris Houston, Jacob Lacey, Jonte Green, and Bill Bentley. They are now openly on the lookout to acquire veteran safety help before the trade deadline.

Detroit was active on the wire yesterday making a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for their disgruntled wideout, Mike Thomas. Thomas was given a three-year contract extension last October for $18 million, but has since under performed. So far this season, Thomas has recorded just 13 receptions for 80 yards and zero touchdowns. The Jags drafted Justin Blackmon and signed Cowboys’ wideout Laurent Robinson in the off-season, making Thomas expendable.

The move helps Detroit replace wideout Nate Burleson, whom suffered a broken leg last week and is out for the season. The Lions allegedly gave up only a fifth round pick in 2014 for Thomas.

Thomas will be added to a receiver core that already includes Calvin Johnson, Titus Young and rookie Ryan Broyles. The odd man out appears to be Broyles, who struggled to get playing time prior to Burleson’s injury. He’s recorded six receptions and two touchdowns in the past two games. Those stats also make up his season totals.

Broyles was a stand-out receiver at Oklahoma. The two time All-American holds the NCAA FBS career record for receptions. Broyles tore his ACL in November of last year in a game against Texas A&M, which many believed negatively affected his draft status.

Dallas was rumored to be very interested in Broyles during this year’s draft. But the Cowboys lost their second round pick (45th overall) as part of their trade with the St. Louis Rams in order to move up to acquire  LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Broyles was chosen by the Lions a mere nine slots later with their second round pick (54th overall).

Salary-wise, Jenkins is in the final year of his five-year, $9.275 million contract. He’ll be paid $1.052 million this season. Broyles signed a a four-year, $3.678 million contract back in May.

If this trade was made, Jenkins would add an All-Pro presence to the Lion’s defensive backfield that currently ranks 7th in the NFL, but 27th in interceptions. While Broyles would become the third wideout the Cowboys have been desperately been looking for since the departure of the aforementioned Robinson.

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