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| Chris Myers |
Wes Bunting: The one thing I wanted to tell you that I was hearing from Dallas people, the one thing that was going on was DB. That's what I heard, the position they're focusing on first and foremost is DBs.
Cowboys Nation: That's seeping through. I'm getting that impression, from what I've seen and read. Does this mean they're looking to go for one in the first, or does this mean that they'll lean on the incredible depth at the corner spot and maybe get one in the 2nd or 3rd, or take DBs in both.
WB: For all we know, it's BS and they're trying to get misleading info out there, but that's what I heard, that DB is the biggest concern for them.
Let's piece together the crumbs of data available and try to tease out a free agent, draft two-step plan for the Cowboys.
Here's what we have:
1. Bunting's report that Dallas is making defensive backs a priority. We know the cornerback spot looks deep. Bunting also have some encouraging reports on two free safety prospects who now look like 2nd or 3rd round prospects. I'll have more on them Monday.
2. Jerry Jones' admission late this week that he will spend freely once the free agent period begins. Several different sources have claimed he could have up to $20 million in cap money to throw around.
3. ESPN Dallas' Bryan Broaddus' recent claim that internal conversations about the offensive line have focused on center, not on guards:
Broaddus worked for the Cowboys as a scout and has excellent contacts within the scouting department. I find this statement fully credible.
Let's take statement three and work backwards. Center makes sense as a free agent target for several reasons. Some good centers will be available in March. Signing a Scott Wells or a Chris Myers could probably be accomplished for $5-6 million per season, if you consider recent free agent center deals and the fact that Wells and Myers are both 30. Compare this to the contract top guard Carl Nicks can demand. He's 25 and will want -- and will probably get -- yearly money on par with or exceeding his teammate Jahri Evans'. He gets $8 million per.
From a draft standpoint, it's much safer to fill the center need in free agency. Dallas needs an immediate, professional level upgrade there. The only center in the draft class seemingly capable to playing this well in 2012 is Wisconsin's Peter Konz. If Dallas tries trading down to get him, it risks losing him, leaving itself again reliant on the Phil Costas and Kevin Kowalskis for another year. Dallas could just select Konz at 14, but would it leave higher rated players on the board doing so?
Right now, I'm penciling center onto to my free agent wish list, along with backup quarterback.
A third consideration is that a modest priced center and a lower-ticket backup QB still leave the Cowboys room to pursue a big ticket defensive player. No 2012 free agent corner looks worthy of a Nnamdi Asomugha or Johnathan Joseph-level deal, but Jerry could swing his checkbook if a Calais Campbell, a Cliff Avril or a Mario Williams escaped the franchise tag. All are either 25 or 26. All have consistently sacked opposing quarterbacks.
From an age and efficiency standpoint, I'm putting pass rusher atop my defensive wish list.
If the Cowboys can land that rusher and a center, they fill two of their biggest needs without blocking or rendering redundant picks they could make in the 1st and 2nd round. If a David DeCastro sits atop their board at 14, they could take him without hesitation. Fans may argue that signing a Nicks and drafting a DeCastro would upgrade the line, but going that route would still leave Dallas vulnerable at center (think of the drop in performance recent lines showed when Andre Gurode was subbed by Cory Proctor). And Nicks' big deal would lessen the funds Jerry has to chase a rusher.
Filling these two roles would let Dallas go for a corner and a safety high in the draft, perhaps with the first two picks, and still have guard options in all of the early rounds.
That's how I'm seeing it today -- a rusher and a center in free agency and a heavy dose of D-back in the first four rounds.
Next: Three 3-round mini mocks built off this blueprint, and Wes Bunting discusses Janoris Jenkins and the rest of the Senior Bowl cornerback class.
