The Holes In Dallas Cowboys Armor To Be Fixed in Draft

Many members of Cowboy Nation, would like to declare that the State of the Dallas Cowboys is strong. I recently played a round of golf with a member of Cowboy Nation. Our conversation resembled those found in Facebook groups, internet forums, sportsbars, dining room tables and barbershops.

The most publicized move by the Cowboys in free agency was the addition of defensive end Greg Hardy. It should be an exciting addition for the Cowboys and the defensive line. I do appreciate the upgrade over defensive end Anthony Spencer and George Selvie but I’m not excited yet.

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Signing Greg Hardy is similar to meeting the perfect woman with legal issues. It reminds me of Netflix’s hit show Orange is the New Black. Quick plot summary: Larry Bloom (the Cowboys) gets engaged to Piper Chapman (Greg Hardy) just before Chapman has to serve 15 months in prison. Unlike Chapman, nobody knows when Hardy will be reinstated and / or suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goddell.

I’m not focusing on the details of his case or his off-field behavior. Personally, I would like to believe that $14 million eliminates any reason to argue with a girlfriend, fiance or spouse. My first problem would be deciding where to install the Tito’s Vodka dispenser in my bedroom! #RichPeopleProblems

Rapper Biggie Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G. stated – “More money, more problems”, but Biggie also said “I don’t chase ’em, I replace ’em”. Replacing them keeps you from being found guilty in a North Carolina courtroom.

Until then, I would suspect that the Cowboys will select a defensive end in the 2015 NFL draft. It doesn’t have to be a high draft pick. Proving the draft is still hit or miss: DeMarcus Lawrence was a secondround pick and Hardy a sixth round pick. Previous sack leaders at defensive end: J.J. Watt, Robert Quinn and Mario Williams were 1^stround draft picks, but none selected near the Cowboys 27^th pick position.

The Cowboys defense doesn’t need a superstar, just a talented player willing to do what’s asked of him for the good of the team. Similar to our cornerbacks: Robert Steeples and Corey White that were added for depth. The sharp members of Cowboy Nation haven’t been discussing the possible addition of running back Adrian Peterson, but why the Cowboys should focus on cornerbacks.

The Cowboys have yet to pick up the $11 million fifth year option for injured cornerback Morris Claiborne. Brandon Carr is likely to be a June 1^st cut and Sterling Moore signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Cowboys would have entered the draft with Orlando Scandrick and Tyler Patmon as the only cornerbacks on the roster. The additions of Steeples and White lead me to believe that the Cowboys will select a cornerback early in the 2015 NFL draft.

Finally, there was the yawn-worthy addition of running back Darren McFadden from the Oakland Raiders. McFadden was bumped to second string when the Raiders signed Maurice Jones-Drew. McFadden started when Jones-Drew suffered injuries but was replaced by rookie Latavius Murray.

I see McFadden as an insurance pick due to Joseph Randle‘s current legal issue in Wichita, Kansas. Randle was ticketed for possession of marijuana. This is following an arrest near Dallas for shoplifting underwear and cologne – a class B misdemeanor. Reportedly, the league is looking into it under the personal conduct policy.

I suspect that the Cowboys will draft a running back. I hear cries for Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon and Jay Ajayi. These are the top three running back prospects in the 2015 NFL draft. Combine their pre-draft rankings with the devaluation of the running back position and the Cowboys need at other positions means I don’t believe the Cowboys will select either player.

I’m predicting that the Dallas Cowboys will select David Johnson from the University of Northern Iowa (you-tube highlights). He’s 6′ 1”, 224 pounds and a former wide receiver which makes him a valid receiving threat out of the backfield. He returned kickoffs on special teams and finished the season with 20 total touchdowns.

The Cowboys already have McFadden, my predicted starter in Ryan Williams, Lance Dunbar and Randle. With four running backs, it’s possible they don’t select a back at all. However, grabbing David Johnson in the later rounds would prove to be a solid value and an injury insurance policy. I don’t need a superstar, just a guy that gains positive yards and doesn’t fumble.

The Cowboys may go DE, CB, ILB, RB with their first four selections. The NFL could have teams draft one round per week for seven weeks and I’d be happy. For now, I’ll agree that the State of the Cowboys is strong. It’ll be stronger after the draft.

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