Top 3 draft needs for all 32 teams.
On the clock
Top three draft needs for all 32 NFL teams
By PFW staff
Jan. 12, 2009
Dallas Cowboys
DL — Tank Johnson won’t be re-signed, DE Chris Canty is a free agent and Marcus Spears is heading into the final year of his deal.
LB — Zach Thomas might not return, and although Kevin Burnett is a good special-teamer, he hasn’t been durable. And who knows if Bobby Carpenter can be a starter?
SS — Roy Williams probably is gone, and FS Ken Hamlin’s play dropped off. The Cowboys could move Anthony Henry to safety, but they need a big-hitting playmaker there.
They got 3 of the 4 positions correct with interior Oline being the 4th. Lets look at the needs in a bit more detail.
SS: The article indicates Roy is probably gone, and my guess is thats correct. Keith Davis will likely be re-signed. He's more of a special teamer and is less of a run-stuffer than Roy. Limited is coverage.
There is talk of moving Henry to free safety and Hamlin to SS. I don't think that happens and here's why. 1) Hamlin is a much better FS than SS. Hamlin does a good job QBing the defensive backfield. He gets everyone lined up correctly. 2) Hamlin doesnt have the size/tackling skills to be a SS. Anyone see him get steamrolled in the Baltimore game? Those long TD runs had a lot to do with Hamlin's missed tackling. Now 2 plays is hardly a large sample size. But he missed a lot of tackles this past year. Playing Hamlin and Henry together at safety would compromise the run defense. Yes, better against the pass. And I think you'll see that pairing on passing downs. But not the base defense.
So what this is all saying is that Dallas needs a STARTING strong safety. They haven't had a really versatile safety like that since Darren Woodson retired. Dallas was looking very closely at safeties last draft but went in other directions. I'd be VERY surprised if they got through round 3 without taking one.
ILB: Right now, Dallas' starting ILB next to Brady James is Barbi Carpenter. Its very possible that Dallas re-signs either Kevin Burnett or Zach Thomas. I don't believe both come back. But either becomes the starter next to James. Carpenter would not be terrible in the middle. He's obviously been a huge dissappointment since being a 1st round pick 3 seasons ago. Maybe now is the time to get some production.
Behind Carpenter and James is not much. Maybe special teamer Polk. So depth here is an issue. A cheap FA might also fill the bill here. Or they could try to draft a guy to start here in a year or two.
OLB: Ware and Spencer are the starters for several more seasons (assuming Ware gets extended). As of now, Greg Ellis is the 3rd OLB and designated nickle pass rusher. He's signed for 1 more year. I think he comes back for this role, though he's squabbling about wanting to be a starter. Special teamer Rogers is the next in line.
If Ellis is gone, then they need another OLB for depth. If Ellis stays, no real need here.
DL: Tank and Canty are both free agents. Dallas usually carries 6 or 7 DL on the active roster. Signed for next year are Ratliff, Spears, Bowen, and Hatcher. They need 2 more guys. They did just sign a guy off their practice squad. Don't think its much help though. I think Canty comes back if its at the right price. I have no clue about Tank. Lets assume Tank does not come back.
Dallas could use a big plugger NT. Its been a need since Jason Ferguson was traded to Miami. Ratliff plays an excellent nose, but he's much more of a penetrator, not a fire hydrant. Rat probably is a better DE than NT. So a big wide body would not surprise. There's a need and a likely roster spot for him.
Oline: Dallas has maybe 6 olinemen who can play. Flozell, Kosier, Gurode, Davis, Columbo, and Holland. Dallas' oline was exposed late in the season. Proctor proved to be a stop-gap player at best for the interior. McQuistan was tried and he failed. Doug Free can't make the active roster. Dallas can't expect to have only 1 oline position get hurt next year like this past year or zero the year before.
It is true that no starter positions are open here. But Dallas normally keeps 10 olinemen on the active roster normally. There are at least two open spots available. Expect at least 1 draft pick before the end of round 4 and probably 2 overall.