Friday, January 18, 2013
Draft priority for Dallas
By Tim Kavanagh
With a new defensive coordinator in the picture (and some other coaching changes possible), the Dallas Cowboys may look quite a bit different on the field by this fall. It's unclear how much they'll be able to do in free agency, but there's always the draft, and at No. 18 overall, they should be able to find a player that can play a substantial role right away as a rookie.
The folks over at DallasCowboys.com believe that addressing the front seven on defense is going to be a priority this offseason -- and would have been, even if they didn't change coordinators -- and OLB may be a particular need. Sean Lee is locked in at the MLB slot, with Bruce Carter at WLB, but their strong-side LB position appears to be wide open at this point. There will be some options available at that first-round slot if they don't find one in free agency.
Of course, defense isn't the only need for Dallas heading into 2013, and in his first mock draft of the season, Mel Kiper Jr. sent them a player to help their other big problem area, the offensive line:
Mel Kiper, Jr.
UNC's Jonathan Cooper is the pick at No. 18"The Cowboys had an uneven season on the offensive line, and Cooper will provide an upgrade immediately. This is a complete guard, a player who is exceptional at delivering blocks and moving in tight quarters, and he moves extremely well for the position. He can deliver an initial blow to eliminate an interior defender and then move easily to the second level where he can line up linebackers and safeties and block in space."
