Dec 24, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Stanford Routt (26) celebrates with safety Tyvon Branch (33) after intercepting a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 16-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

So who wants a defense? Although there is evidence of an offensive movement around the NFL, that makes defense that much more important. According to Vince Verhei of Football Outsiders the Dallas Cowboys need a cornerback and a guard in that order. So here is my 2012 NFL Offseason wish list.

-Stanford Routt formerly of the Oakland Raiders would have been my number one goal in free agency. If we were to somehow able to scoop up Routt before the Kansas City Chiefs did early this week, it would have given the Cowboys a little more freedom to draft whoever they wanted at the 14th draft pick, OL, DL, whoever. Routt is a hometown boy (Austin, Texas) and a heck of a player who could’ve played like a champ while wearing the Star.  Nice going ,Jerry! If we had signed Routt, I would have felt a little better about taking David DeCastro with the 14th overall. Side note: What is going on with the Oakland Raiders letting good players go? Is anyone considering Jason Campbell as the Cowboys backup if he is released by the Raiders?

-Nick Foles of the Arizona Wildcats would be my first pick at quarterback of the future for the Dallas Cowboys. Another hometown boy from Austin, this Foles is 6’5 240 pounds and has a cannon for an arm. I think, with Tony Romo’s guidance, Nick Foles could become the Dallas Cowboys next big quarterback.

-LaMichael James from Oregon is, in my opinion, one of the most intriguing running backs in the draft class. While he is considered a finesse runner he isn’t scared to run between the tackles. This guy could be the next Darren Sproles with his speed and athletic ability and but his hands aren’t incredible. Don’t let it scare you that he ran the spread offense at Oregon as I don’t see learning a new offense to be a problem for James. The only unknown factor here is whether or not he can stay healthy.

-Quinton Coples another draft day beast, Coples from North Carolina would give the Dallas Cowboys that elite D. line they’ve always wanted. Opposing quarterbacks wouldn’t know what to do with Coples and DeMarcus Ware tearing through holes coming after them. If the key to the Super Bowl is a pass rush, we would be well on our way with Coples.

-Michael Griffin would be a huge free agent pick up for the Dallas Cowboys. Yep, another Austin boy from Bowie High School, Michael Griffin shows a high football IQ and can be a leader of the back field. He’s also in NFLtraderumors.com ‘s top fifty free agents of 2012. If we can, I think we should.

-Peyton Hillis I would absolutely love having Peyton Hillis on the Dallas Cowboys. Don’t worry about all the drama with the Cleveland Browns, the kid runs and plays hard but due to the average career length of running backs with his type of style, Cleveland didn’t want to pay him. Would anyone else love to have a bull nosed running back sharing the load with DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones? It would be a dream come true for me.

-Michael Bush If you think the only big named running back in the Oakland Raiders’ backfield is Darren McFadden then you haven’t watched an Oakland game or played against someone in Fantasy Football with Bush on their roster. This guy puts up great numbers with or without the help of Run DMC.

Dec 24, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Laurent Robinson (81) prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

-Laurent Robinson isn’t a re-sign ‘must’ but I like how he took Cowboys Nation by storm and developed such good rapport with Tony Romo. For the most part he caught balls he was supposed to catch and that’s all we can ask for. I think that after the Cowboys saw how injury prone Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are, they will make re-signing him a priority.

This is just a few prospects I would like to see wear the Star. Sound of in the comment section with who I forgot.

This is a continuation of the draft analysis.  Draft grades are often handed out well before the prospects lace up their shoes for the first rookie training camp.  It takes three years to determine whether a draft was indeed a “good” draft or riddled with busts.  As stated previously, all teams SHOULD get an incomplete immediately after the draft, but they don’t.  So let’s look back at the 2007 Cowboys draft class to see whether the grades given at the time were even close (C from SI, B from Yahoo Sports, B from CBS sports).  Also, keeping in mind that it isn’t about who you take, but rather who you didn’t take (take Sam Bowie, please).

Anthony Spencer in 1st round at 26th overall

Pro-Bowl: No, but plays at a high level and will undoubtably reach the pro-bowl in the next few years

Starter: Yes

Still on the team: Yes

Player(s) you could have had instead: Brandon Meriweather, Jon Beason, Tony Ugoh, Sidney Rice, and LaMarr Woodley

Analysis:  Spencer showed flashes of talent in his first two years, but he ushered in the post – Greg Ellis era.  He is capable in pass coverage, is a very good pass rusher, and plays the run well.  2009 was a breakout season for Spencer and expectations are he will continue to improve in 2010.  The other available players are as good, but not necessarily better than Spencer.  As a side note, the Cowboys traded down and acquired the Browns first round pick the following year.  They then proceeded to trade up to draft Spencer.  Essentially the Cowboys gave a 3rd and 5th for a 2008 1st round pick which became Felix Jones.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: A+ for Spencer and A+ for Felix Jone the following year

James Marten in the 3rd round at 67 overall:

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: No

Still on the team: No

Player(s) you could have had instead:  Originally the Cowboys were drafting at 53 and elected to trade down.  Players available at 53 and beyond were Ryan Kalil (center for the Carolina Panthers), Jacoby Jones, Trent Edwards, Micheal Bush, and other players who have contributed but not made their mark in the NFL.

Analysis: Marten is currently with the Chicago Bears and has played for three different teams in 3 years.  While he certainly has been a bust, it is not compounded by the availability of great players at a similar position or at a position of need.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: F+ (the plus because we didn’t miss out on any future superstars)

Isaiah Stanback in 4th round at 103rd overall

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: No

Still on the team: No

Player(s) you could have had instead: Daniel Sepulveda, Doug Free (which would allow for taking another player with the other 4th round pick)

Analysis:  Stanback was a project and like most projects he did not pan out.  He was only with the Cowboys for only 2 injury riddled years.  It felt like he was with the team for much more than that.  He was cut to allow room for Kevin Ogletree who shined in his brief 2009 appearances.  Stanback played for the New England Patriots in 2010 catching 3 balls for 22 yard.  He doubled his career production!

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: F+ (the plus because we didn’t miss out on any future superstars)

Doug Free in 4th round at 122nd overall:

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: Yes

Still on the team: Yes

Player(s) you could have had instead: LeRon McClain, Steve Breaston, and Kevin Boss

Analysis: Free played effectively when Marc Colombo was injured during the 2009 season.  There were nearly no drop off in the quality of play.  Amazingly enough, Free had a highlight (as an offensive lineman) when he ran down the field and was run blocking an Eagles defensive back.  Free will be a cornerstone player to usher in a new younger era of the Cowboys offensive line.  Whether he will play right or left tackle will be a mystery, but his play in 2009 provides Cowboys fans a reason to be optimistic.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: B+

Nick Folk in 6th round at 178th overall:

Pro-Bowl: Yes

Starter: Yes

Still on the team: No

Player(s) you could have had instead: Mason Crosby

Analysis:  Folk was amazing for 2 years and suffered in 2009 after having hip surgery.  While the injury may have healed, Folk’s confidence was lost during the season.  Folk has joined the NY Jets for the 2010 season.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: B+ (Crosby is kicking effectively for the Green Bay Packers, but the grade is still high as he was an effective player taken in the 6th round)

Deon Anderson in 6th round at 195th overall

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: Yes

Still on the team: Yes, though that may not be the case after the 2010 draft.

Player(s) you could have had instead: No one of note.

Analysis:  Anderson may not be on the team for 2010 due to an off the field gun related issue.  Reports have the Cowboys considering full-backs in the 2010 draft.  Anderson has played in 38 games the past three seasons.  He has been an effective blocking tight end in an era where the tight end is being phased out.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: B+

Courtney Brown in 7th round at 212th overall

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: No

Still on the team: No

Player(s) you could have had instead: Tyler Thigpen,

Analysis:  Brown was on the team for 2 years playing in 17 games.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: D+

Alan Ball in 7th round at 237th overall

Pro-Bowl: No

Starter: No

Still on the team: Yes

Player(s) you could have had instead: Ahmad Bradshaw, Matt Moore

Analysis:  Ball is presently 1st or 2nd on the depth chart as Ken Hamlin was released this off-season.  Ball started three games and was praised by Wade Phillips.  The Cowboys are reportedly in the market for a safety to replace Hamlin, but it is possible that Ball’s performance in 2009 helped to make the decision to move past Hamlin a reality.

2010 20/20 hindsight grade: B+

Final analysis: The perfect draft would have been Anthony Spencer, Ryan Kalil, Doug Free, Steve Breaston, Mason Crosby, Deon Anderson, Alan Ball, and possibly Ahmad Bradshaw.

Unlike 2006, the Cowboys actually drafted several of the ideal picks.  Nick Folk was amazing for two years and that certainly should not be ignored.  All in all, this was a good draft by the Cowboys finding starters in Spencer, Free, Folk, Anderson and possibly Ball.  Final grade based on all of the above, A-.  In another 2 years, the grade can continue to improve, especially if the tandem of Spencer and DeMarcus Ware becomes unstoppable.