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2013 Cowboys NFL draft guide
Examining Dallas' draft history and potential picks this year
Insider's NFL and draft experts -- Todd McShay, Mel Kiper, Chris Sprow and Gary Horton -- have teamed up to give a full breakdown of all that should be considered for each team as it enters the 2013 NFL draft. Here we look at the Dallas Cowboys.
Personnel needs
OL, S, DT, OLB
Major need: This offensive line is a real mess, as four of the five positions could use an upgrade. They have tried to fix this O-line with patchwork free agents in the last couple of years and it has not worked. Tony Romo's ability to avoid the rush, both inside and outside with his feet, cuts down a sack number that should be a lot worse.
Quiet need: As they transition to a Tampa 2 zone defense, the Cowboys may start two safeties that should probably be backups in Barry Church and Matt Johnson. In this defense the safeties need to have a lot of range and cover skills, and they must tackle in space. None of the potential starters at safety have shown the ability to solidly cover half the field on the back end.
Not a need: Obviously, with Romo's new contract QB is not perceived to be a need. But the only other positions on this roster where that is true are DE, with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in their new 4-3 positions, and CB, with Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr (although they have man-to-man skill sets and will need to adjust their techniques).
Depth chart
Jobs in jeopardy: A lot of jobs are in jeopardy on this team. The entire O-line is replaceable with the exception of LT Tyron Smith, and that may have been one of the most underachieving units in the NFL in 2012. They must find a RB to replace Felix Jones and push DeMarco Murray. On defense, as they switch from a 3-4 to 4-3 Tampa 2, they have positions on all three levels (DT, OLB, S) that could be upgraded.
Don't mess with it: Like it or not, this is Romo's team and as he goes so go the Cowboys. Instead of focusing on his weaknesses, this organization needs to concentrate on giving him better pass protection, come up with a balanced offensive game plan that doesn't ask him to throw on every down and teach receivers to run more disciplined routes.
What free agency solved
This has been a very tough offseason for this organization because of tremendous salary-cap restraints. They had to ask several of their own veteran stars to restructure their contracts to clear cap space and the only moves they have been able to make are a couple of mid-level acquisitions (LB Justin Durant, S Will Allen). That's not a good situation for a team that is totally changing its defensive scheme and has a variety of holes to fill. They will need a strong draft.
-- Gary Horton
How they draft
Cowboys Draft History (2010-12)
Each pick Dallas has made over the last three years. Players that are projected 2013 starters are in bold.
Round
Pick
Player
Pos
2012
1 6 Morris Claiborne DB
3 81 Tyrone Crawford DE
4 113 Kyle Wilber LB
4 135 Matt Johnson DB
5 152 Danny Coale WR
6 186 James Hanna TE
7 222 Caleb McSurdy LB
2011
1 9 Tyron Smith OT
2 40 Bruce Carter LB
3 71 DeMarco Murray RB
4 110 David Arkin G
5 143 Josh Thomas DB
6 176 Dwayne Harris WR
7 220 Shaun Chapas RB
7 252 Bill Nagy C
2010
1 24 Dez Bryant WR
2 55 Sean Lee LB
4 126 Akwasi Owusu-Ansah DB
6 179 Sam Young OT
6 196 Jamar Wall DB
7 234 Sean Lissemore DT
Where they draft well: Not making mistakes in Round 1 -- after a really bad stretch. The 2006-09 drafts really set the franchise back. Four total first-round picks netted them exactly one current starter: Spencer. But it's hard to knock what the Cowboys have done in Round 1 in each of the last three seasons. Dez Bryant has brought drama, but flashed dominance in 2012, and is still just 24. Smith struggled at left tackle in 2012, but will improve and is still just 22. Claiborne started 15 games as a rookie and should be even better in 2013.
Where they don't draft well: They never get a steal. Even as the top of the draft has been better over the last three years, you build a deep roster when you're finding a few starters from Rounds 3 through 7, and the Cowboys simply don't. Murray can play, but running backs like Washington's Alfred Morris (a sixth-rounder) really aren't that uncommon. The most productive player Dallas has found down the board over the last six years is Doug Free. Good teams have to find more value late.
-- Chris Sprow
Best fits
Todd McShay provides three great fits for the Cowboys' first-round pick at No. 18.
Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: Vaccaro has the skills to be a top-tier starter in the NFL, and he would be a big help for a Dallas defense that has been searching for a do-it-all safety.
Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina: Cooper and Chance Warmack could very well be off the board in the top 12, but if one of them should fall due to positional value considerations I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cowboys upgrade the interior of their offensive line.
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri: Dallas is moving to Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 system, so Richardson could make sense as an upfield penetrator in that scheme.
-- Todd McShay
It's a successful draft if ...
What they must accomplish: They need to create some assurances that their 4-3 defensive line can hold up. Look, we all know the Cowboys lack starting talent on the offensive line in a couple places. But at least they have some youth. While the D-line might look like a strength, Anthony Spencer is the only player under the age of 30 among the starters. In particular, the interior of the defensive lacks depth. I think the scheme switch for the base defense makes sense, but they need to create some depth.
Additional goals: I wasn't sold on the interior of the offensive line going into last season, and I again consider it a top need. If one of the top two guards is available in Round 1, it'll be tempting because the immediate dividends are there. The upgrades at cornerback last year can't mask weak personnel at safety. Dallas is one of many teams who can take advantage of a deep safety class in the middle rounds. I don't think they can count on DeMarco Murray to be healthy all the time. They should look for another back who can run it, but also block reliably.
-- Mel Kiper
Examining Dallas' draft history and potential picks this year
Insider's NFL and draft experts -- Todd McShay, Mel Kiper, Chris Sprow and Gary Horton -- have teamed up to give a full breakdown of all that should be considered for each team as it enters the 2013 NFL draft. Here we look at the Dallas Cowboys.
Personnel needs
OL, S, DT, OLB
Major need: This offensive line is a real mess, as four of the five positions could use an upgrade. They have tried to fix this O-line with patchwork free agents in the last couple of years and it has not worked. Tony Romo's ability to avoid the rush, both inside and outside with his feet, cuts down a sack number that should be a lot worse.
Quiet need: As they transition to a Tampa 2 zone defense, the Cowboys may start two safeties that should probably be backups in Barry Church and Matt Johnson. In this defense the safeties need to have a lot of range and cover skills, and they must tackle in space. None of the potential starters at safety have shown the ability to solidly cover half the field on the back end.
Not a need: Obviously, with Romo's new contract QB is not perceived to be a need. But the only other positions on this roster where that is true are DE, with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in their new 4-3 positions, and CB, with Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr (although they have man-to-man skill sets and will need to adjust their techniques).
Depth chart
Jobs in jeopardy: A lot of jobs are in jeopardy on this team. The entire O-line is replaceable with the exception of LT Tyron Smith, and that may have been one of the most underachieving units in the NFL in 2012. They must find a RB to replace Felix Jones and push DeMarco Murray. On defense, as they switch from a 3-4 to 4-3 Tampa 2, they have positions on all three levels (DT, OLB, S) that could be upgraded.
Don't mess with it: Like it or not, this is Romo's team and as he goes so go the Cowboys. Instead of focusing on his weaknesses, this organization needs to concentrate on giving him better pass protection, come up with a balanced offensive game plan that doesn't ask him to throw on every down and teach receivers to run more disciplined routes.
What free agency solved
This has been a very tough offseason for this organization because of tremendous salary-cap restraints. They had to ask several of their own veteran stars to restructure their contracts to clear cap space and the only moves they have been able to make are a couple of mid-level acquisitions (LB Justin Durant, S Will Allen). That's not a good situation for a team that is totally changing its defensive scheme and has a variety of holes to fill. They will need a strong draft.
-- Gary Horton
How they draft
Cowboys Draft History (2010-12)
Each pick Dallas has made over the last three years. Players that are projected 2013 starters are in bold.
Round
Pick
Player
Pos
2012
1 6 Morris Claiborne DB
3 81 Tyrone Crawford DE
4 113 Kyle Wilber LB
4 135 Matt Johnson DB
5 152 Danny Coale WR
6 186 James Hanna TE
7 222 Caleb McSurdy LB
2011
1 9 Tyron Smith OT
2 40 Bruce Carter LB
3 71 DeMarco Murray RB
4 110 David Arkin G
5 143 Josh Thomas DB
6 176 Dwayne Harris WR
7 220 Shaun Chapas RB
7 252 Bill Nagy C
2010
1 24 Dez Bryant WR
2 55 Sean Lee LB
4 126 Akwasi Owusu-Ansah DB
6 179 Sam Young OT
6 196 Jamar Wall DB
7 234 Sean Lissemore DT
Where they draft well: Not making mistakes in Round 1 -- after a really bad stretch. The 2006-09 drafts really set the franchise back. Four total first-round picks netted them exactly one current starter: Spencer. But it's hard to knock what the Cowboys have done in Round 1 in each of the last three seasons. Dez Bryant has brought drama, but flashed dominance in 2012, and is still just 24. Smith struggled at left tackle in 2012, but will improve and is still just 22. Claiborne started 15 games as a rookie and should be even better in 2013.
Where they don't draft well: They never get a steal. Even as the top of the draft has been better over the last three years, you build a deep roster when you're finding a few starters from Rounds 3 through 7, and the Cowboys simply don't. Murray can play, but running backs like Washington's Alfred Morris (a sixth-rounder) really aren't that uncommon. The most productive player Dallas has found down the board over the last six years is Doug Free. Good teams have to find more value late.
-- Chris Sprow
Best fits
Todd McShay provides three great fits for the Cowboys' first-round pick at No. 18.
Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: Vaccaro has the skills to be a top-tier starter in the NFL, and he would be a big help for a Dallas defense that has been searching for a do-it-all safety.
Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina: Cooper and Chance Warmack could very well be off the board in the top 12, but if one of them should fall due to positional value considerations I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cowboys upgrade the interior of their offensive line.
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri: Dallas is moving to Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 system, so Richardson could make sense as an upfield penetrator in that scheme.
-- Todd McShay
It's a successful draft if ...
What they must accomplish: They need to create some assurances that their 4-3 defensive line can hold up. Look, we all know the Cowboys lack starting talent on the offensive line in a couple places. But at least they have some youth. While the D-line might look like a strength, Anthony Spencer is the only player under the age of 30 among the starters. In particular, the interior of the defensive lacks depth. I think the scheme switch for the base defense makes sense, but they need to create some depth.
Additional goals: I wasn't sold on the interior of the offensive line going into last season, and I again consider it a top need. If one of the top two guards is available in Round 1, it'll be tempting because the immediate dividends are there. The upgrades at cornerback last year can't mask weak personnel at safety. Dallas is one of many teams who can take advantage of a deep safety class in the middle rounds. I don't think they can count on DeMarco Murray to be healthy all the time. They should look for another back who can run it, but also block reliably.
-- Mel Kiper
