Cowboys Draft Analysis

When looking at the state of he NFL, their are four positions that tend to demand the highest pay because they are the most crucial. On offense it's the quarterback and the wide receiver position. On defense, can you stop the pass. It's the defensive ends and corner backs. The Cowboys have prioritized the most cost effective positions in the draft with the addition of a corner back and pass rusher. 

Byron Jones is an athletic player who can play corner or safety. I like the pick because it upgraded the corner position, but he could also move to safety if Scandrick, Carr, and Claiborne are healthy and effective. The second reason I like the pick is the Cowboys now have more leverage trying to push Carr to take a paycut. He was an athletic freak at the combine, and with the coaching of Rod Marinelli could become a really good player. Cowboys did well not trading up to draft him, they stayed put and kept their picks. 

Second round pick was a value that was simply too good not to take a chance on, Randy Gregory. He is best fit likely for an outside linebacker position in a 3-4 defense due to his low weight, but will make a nice addition in obvious passing downs and perhaps play some outside linebacker. He was a top 15 talent before falling due to issues with marijuana. Some thought the Cowboys would consider him with their first pick, great value here. 

The rest of the draft notes include a pair of offensive tackles. The Cowboys need an eventual replacement for Doug Free and also a swing tackle short term. They accomplished good depth here. 

A couple noticeable misses: Cowboys did not address the running back position. Either due to their arrogance about their offensive line, or possibly they still think AP could still be at play. That will be a big story coming into the season. I believe in McFadden and Randle, but not enough to forgo a potential replacement for Murray. 

Another big miss in the draft was not replacing Harris as a kick returner. I really liked Goodley, who is a very versatile receiver/returner combo player. I thought he would be off the board by the 5th round. Fortunately the Cowboys were able to get him as a free agent. That will be a huge pick up I believe, and he will have impact in 2015 season. 

Of course draft grades are all speculation until we see the results, but I would give them a B+. Not finding a solid running back was the only ding I had on this year's draft for the Cowboys.