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College Football 24/7 takes a look at the buzz surrounding the NFC East teams leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys
First-round spot: 16
» Cowboys' 2014 draft picks | Draft history
The safety position has been a conundrum for the Cowboys for quite some time. That isn't the only area on defense the Dallas might address in the NFL's upcoming annual selection meeting. Cornerback and defensive could also be areas of focus for the Cowboys.
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
April 29: Cowboys mum on Manziel rumors
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones clammed up when asked about rumors of the club's interest in Manziel with the No. 16 overall pick of the draft, saying the talk was "pure speculation." Stephen Jones' reluctance to discuss Manziel as a possibility for the Cowboys is certainly of no surprise; team representatives typically have little to say about prospects publicly during draft season.
Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina
April 22: Intriguing DE to visit Cowboys
Dallas would seem to be in the market for a defensive end, and Martin (6-foot-6, 278 pounds) could be a solid second-day addition. The Cowboys signed DE Jeremy Mincey in free agency, but he is not a long-term solution. Martin is a good athlete -- he ran a 4.78 in the 40 and had a 35.5-inch vertical jump at the combine -- who put up big numbers as a senior with the Tar Heels (82 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss). His 84.5-inch wingspan also stands out; that was the longest among the ends who attended the NFL Scouting Combine. Martin always had been good against the run but developed into a solid pass rusher in 2013. Dallas has the 15th pick in the second round (47th overall); the Cowboys pick 14th in the third round (78th overall), but Martin -- who does need to add some bulk -- likely would be gone by then.
Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
April 16: Barr believes Cowboys see him as defensive end
Barr visited with the Cowboys and defensive coordinator Rob Marinelli, who Barr believes sees his as a defensive end on a 4-3 team. Presumably, Barr would have to add significant weight to do so.
Howard Jones, DE, Shepherd
April 16: Jones visits with Cowboys
Jones is among the prospects who has visited with the Cowboys, NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt said. Jones is vying to be the first Shepherd player selected in the NFL draft since 1979.
Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
April 16: Versatile lineman visiting Cowboys
Martin (6-foot-4, 308 pounds) might be the most versatile offensive lineman in the draft, which is a reason he is expected to go in the first round. The biggest reason: He is talented. Martin played left tackle for the Irish, but he looks to fit best at right tackle or at guard in the NFL. Dallas picks 16th in the first round, and finding a defensive starter along the line or at safety would seem to be the highest first-round priority. But Martin's versatility is appealing and putting him at guard would improve the Cowboys' interior.
Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
April 15: Disruptive DT visited with Cowboys
Dallas needs to continue to upgrade its defense (it signed DT Henry Melton in free agency), and Donald (6-foot-1, 285 pounds) is the most disruptive interior lineman available in the draft. Donald is solid against the run and puts a quick first step and good leverage to use as a top-notch interior pass rusher. The concern for the Cowboys -- and defensive line coach Rod Marinelli -- is whether he will be there when Dallas picks 16th. Donald and Florida State's Tim Jernigan (who also is meeting with the Cowboys) are the top two tackles available. Will either, both or neither be off the board at No. 16? And if both are there, do the Cowboys go with Donald?
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
April 14: Run-stuffing DT to meet with Cowboys
Jernigan (6-foot-2, 299 pounds) is a load in the middle and could appeal to the Cowboys as they attempt to improve their run defense. Dallas picks 16th in the first, which is in line with where Jernigan should go. It's expected that Jernigan and Pitt's Aaron Donald will be the first defensive tackles off the board. Jernigan isn't as active as Donald, but he also can play nose tackle, which is appealing to some teams.
James Franklin, QB, Missouri
April 10: Mizzou QB working out for Cowboys
Missouri quarterback James Franklin said he is expecting to go unchosen in the NFL draft next month, and would consider it something of a bonus to be picked. But that doesn't mean he's not planning on making the most of a training-camp opportunity. And the Dallas Cowboys are making the most of a chance to evaluate him. Franklin told news-leader.com he has a workout scheduled for next week with the Cowboys.
C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa
March 26: Cowboys among teams set to meet with Fiedorowicz
Fiedorowicz was worked out by Bengals tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes at Iowa's pro day, but will perform private workouts on the Iowa campus for the Cowboys and Texans. He has scheduled visits in the coming weeks with the Buccaneers, Falcons, Lions and Patriots, too.
Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
March 19: Cowboys among 12 clubs interested in Murray
A dozen NFL clubs have shown more interest in Murray than others, and the Cowboys are among them. Brandon Weeden, who was recently jettisoned by the Browns, is now with the Cowboys, who could be on the lookout for competition behind starter Tony Romo.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Feb. 28: Could Cowboys pair Romo with another EIU alum?
It's clear that the Cowboys are enamoured with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, but the team was doing homework on the other quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine, including Garoppolo and San Jose State's David Fales. Garoppolo adds intrigue, since he hails from the same school as Tony Romo.
Dallas Cowboys
First-round spot: 16
» Cowboys' 2014 draft picks | Draft history
The safety position has been a conundrum for the Cowboys for quite some time. That isn't the only area on defense the Dallas might address in the NFL's upcoming annual selection meeting. Cornerback and defensive could also be areas of focus for the Cowboys.
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
April 29: Cowboys mum on Manziel rumors
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones clammed up when asked about rumors of the club's interest in Manziel with the No. 16 overall pick of the draft, saying the talk was "pure speculation." Stephen Jones' reluctance to discuss Manziel as a possibility for the Cowboys is certainly of no surprise; team representatives typically have little to say about prospects publicly during draft season.
Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina
April 22: Intriguing DE to visit Cowboys
Dallas would seem to be in the market for a defensive end, and Martin (6-foot-6, 278 pounds) could be a solid second-day addition. The Cowboys signed DE Jeremy Mincey in free agency, but he is not a long-term solution. Martin is a good athlete -- he ran a 4.78 in the 40 and had a 35.5-inch vertical jump at the combine -- who put up big numbers as a senior with the Tar Heels (82 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss). His 84.5-inch wingspan also stands out; that was the longest among the ends who attended the NFL Scouting Combine. Martin always had been good against the run but developed into a solid pass rusher in 2013. Dallas has the 15th pick in the second round (47th overall); the Cowboys pick 14th in the third round (78th overall), but Martin -- who does need to add some bulk -- likely would be gone by then.
Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
April 16: Barr believes Cowboys see him as defensive end
Barr visited with the Cowboys and defensive coordinator Rob Marinelli, who Barr believes sees his as a defensive end on a 4-3 team. Presumably, Barr would have to add significant weight to do so.
Howard Jones, DE, Shepherd
April 16: Jones visits with Cowboys
Jones is among the prospects who has visited with the Cowboys, NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt said. Jones is vying to be the first Shepherd player selected in the NFL draft since 1979.
Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
April 16: Versatile lineman visiting Cowboys
Martin (6-foot-4, 308 pounds) might be the most versatile offensive lineman in the draft, which is a reason he is expected to go in the first round. The biggest reason: He is talented. Martin played left tackle for the Irish, but he looks to fit best at right tackle or at guard in the NFL. Dallas picks 16th in the first round, and finding a defensive starter along the line or at safety would seem to be the highest first-round priority. But Martin's versatility is appealing and putting him at guard would improve the Cowboys' interior.
Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
April 15: Disruptive DT visited with Cowboys
Dallas needs to continue to upgrade its defense (it signed DT Henry Melton in free agency), and Donald (6-foot-1, 285 pounds) is the most disruptive interior lineman available in the draft. Donald is solid against the run and puts a quick first step and good leverage to use as a top-notch interior pass rusher. The concern for the Cowboys -- and defensive line coach Rod Marinelli -- is whether he will be there when Dallas picks 16th. Donald and Florida State's Tim Jernigan (who also is meeting with the Cowboys) are the top two tackles available. Will either, both or neither be off the board at No. 16? And if both are there, do the Cowboys go with Donald?
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
April 14: Run-stuffing DT to meet with Cowboys
Jernigan (6-foot-2, 299 pounds) is a load in the middle and could appeal to the Cowboys as they attempt to improve their run defense. Dallas picks 16th in the first, which is in line with where Jernigan should go. It's expected that Jernigan and Pitt's Aaron Donald will be the first defensive tackles off the board. Jernigan isn't as active as Donald, but he also can play nose tackle, which is appealing to some teams.
James Franklin, QB, Missouri
April 10: Mizzou QB working out for Cowboys
Missouri quarterback James Franklin said he is expecting to go unchosen in the NFL draft next month, and would consider it something of a bonus to be picked. But that doesn't mean he's not planning on making the most of a training-camp opportunity. And the Dallas Cowboys are making the most of a chance to evaluate him. Franklin told news-leader.com he has a workout scheduled for next week with the Cowboys.
C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa
March 26: Cowboys among teams set to meet with Fiedorowicz
Fiedorowicz was worked out by Bengals tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes at Iowa's pro day, but will perform private workouts on the Iowa campus for the Cowboys and Texans. He has scheduled visits in the coming weeks with the Buccaneers, Falcons, Lions and Patriots, too.
Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
March 19: Cowboys among 12 clubs interested in Murray
A dozen NFL clubs have shown more interest in Murray than others, and the Cowboys are among them. Brandon Weeden, who was recently jettisoned by the Browns, is now with the Cowboys, who could be on the lookout for competition behind starter Tony Romo.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Feb. 28: Could Cowboys pair Romo with another EIU alum?
It's clear that the Cowboys are enamoured with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, but the team was doing homework on the other quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine, including Garoppolo and San Jose State's David Fales. Garoppolo adds intrigue, since he hails from the same school as Tony Romo.