Cowboys Draft Needs (Part 2)

Defensive Back
The Cowboys’ secondary was victimized with regularity. Dallas allowed a 3rd worst in the NFL completion percentage to opposing Wide Receivers, a key reason for their struggles to close out games they should have won. And while the run game allowed 3.8 yards per carry (compared to 4.0 for the league average), opponents averaged 6.4 yards per pass play, half a yard per play superior to the league average. The group is now aging a bit and facing some injury issues, but the most severe shakeup couldl come from the possibility of moving Roy Williams to OLB in the 3-4 defense. Williams would benefit from decreased pass coverage requirements because he commits pass interference penalties like he’s getting paid to do it. He would benefit the team in run support because he hammers people. The question marks, however, likely outweigh the benefits. First, Williams is too small to play OLB. Second, he can benefit the run game just as much from a Safety position. Most seriously, Dallas would need to find a replacement for him (which the draft or Free Agency may be difficult to do). Terence Newman is far and away the best DB on Dallas, and should be the team’s top CB. Anthony Henry, Aaron Glenn, Keith Davis, and Pat Watkins (all under contract) will fight for the remaining spots if the roster stays as it is now. Watkins shows big play ability but big error proclivity. A year under his belt should help reduce that fault. Henry will have to be judged by how he recovers from offseason knee and ankle surgery.