Dallas Cowboys 2008 draft preview

I’ll start off with discussing possible trades Dallas could make on draft day:

1. The huge move up to get Darren Mcfadden. It has been said Jerry Jones covets Mcfadden mostly because they both are Aransas alums, but what people dont realize is Jerry Jones has never drafted a player from his University. He has had 19 years to do this, he has selected about 135 players, but no players from Arkansas. Id say moving up to get the “Hog” is purely hogwash. Not to mention having to give up both 1st round picks and Marion Barber in the deal. But still, I would never hold anything beyond Jerry. Ill give this deal a 5% chance of happening.

2. Moving one of the first round picks(probably more) for a Pro bowl caliber Reciever. Cinncinati’s Chad Johnson, Arizona’s Anquan Boldin and Detroit’s Roy Williams have all been part of trade rumors. The Cowboys are interested in all 3, but one stands more likely than the other two. That would be Roy Williams. Besides his connection to the state of Texas, behind the scenes Roy is said to be pretty unhappy about Calvin Johnson getting the huge contract and the Lions lack of success. Chad Johnson would love to come to dallas but Cinncinati isnt interested in trading him just yet and I would hope Jerry Jones knows not to rattle Terrell Owens cage like that. Anquan Boldin would be another great fit, but Arizona seems even more unlikely to trade than the other two teams. If they make a deal for one of these guys tomorrow, it will be Roy Williams. Obviously one of the 1st rounders would be the base of the deal, what else is included is your guess. 1st round picks look alot better to teams when it’s on the clock and they see what player they could get. Especially for a team like the Lions with so many holes. The Cowboys will give them a good offer, because they desperately want a young star reciever next to T.O. Ill give this deal a 20% chance of happening.

3. Moving the 28th overall pick to a team looking for a QB. 28 can become really valuable to a team like the Falcons, Ravens, or Chiefs when they see Brian Brohm and Joe Flacco still on the board. Lets say the Cowboys draft RB Felix Jones with the 22nd pick and at 28 there is no one they need worth the value. They could move back 10-15 spots and pick up a CB they really like in Brandon Flowers and pick up an additional 3rd rounder or future pick. Not a huge deal, but I’m not sure if Jerry can go a draft without making some type of deal. Ill give this deal a 35% chance of happening

That leaves a 40% chance of the Cowboys staying put in the first round. If they do stay put, these are the players they would realistically target:

At the 22nd pick overall
RB Felix Jones- It’s no secret the Cowboys love this player as a possible compliment to Marion Barber. Almost every mock you see, the Cowboys like him at 22. He is a speedy back with good cutback moves and great hands. The type of player you can move all over the field, I would call him a less explosive but bigger(5-10 210 pounds) Reggie Bush.

CB Antoine Cason- Possibly the most underrated player in the draft. He has good size (6-0 190 pounds), good ball hawking skills, and great instincts. Maybe the most NFL ready corner in the draft. He played against top talent in the Pac 10, but the knock on him is he ran a 4.5 40 yard dash.

CB Mike Jenkins- A great all around corner that might slip to the boys at 22. He has solid size(5-10 200 pounds) and is a great athlete. He ran a 4.4 40 yard dash and has good returner ability. The knock on him is he didnt give his all every play.

WR Limas Sweed- A big reciever(6-4 215) with great hands and good athletic ability. He also has the Texas connection, the reason teams might shy away is his injury and similar recievers (Mike Williams, Dwayne Jarrett) have proved to be busts.

At 28
CB Brandon Flowers- The toughest, hardest hitting Corner in the draft. A little small(5-9 190 pounds) but he plays alot bigger. He is an all around playmaker that is also a pretty smart player. The knock on him is his 4.58 40 yard dash, even though scouts say he plays faster than he times.

CB Aqib Talib- Once considered a top 10 pick, he is falling now. Mostly because of multiple failed drug tests and the notion he is going to be a complete star or a complete bust. He likely wont make it to 28, but if he does the Cowboys wont pass.

WR James Hardy- A huge WR (6-6 215 pounds) that ran a 4.45 40 yard dash. He needs to become a better route runner but you cant deny how productive he was in college. He would be an immediate red zone threat and would help Romo tremendously.

WR Desean Jackson- A wow type of player. Electrifying reciever and return man. Ran a 4.35 40 yard dash, a true home run hitter. The knock is that he is 5-10 170 pounds and not very strong or physical. Probably just a slot man. Is he Ted Ginn Jr. part 2? we’ll see.

My prediction?
They stay put and take Felix Jones at 22 and Brandon Flowers at 28. But its obvious they have alot of options, it will be a very exciting draft.