1 month til the draft

Allright, so a month until the draft, does anyone have a clue what Dallas will do at #9?  The answer is no, not even Jerry Jones or anyone in the Cowboys brass. Their scouts are telling them the best players available in the top 10 are at positions the Cowboys do not have a need in or will be already gone by #9. The problem is a pick in the top 10 is considered a blue chip area of the draft and teams are expected to come away with a blue chip player there.

Now what the Cowboys should do will be completely different more than likely what they will do. Here's what they should do...

Trade down to put it simply, an ideal trade partner would be the New England Patriots who possess two picks in the 1st round. Offer would be this.

Dallas Trades:
#9, #40 and a 4th round pick.

New England Trades:
#17, #27 and their late 3rd round pick.

I feel New England needs an elite receiver, A.J. Green from Georgia would give them that. The Pats always have sufficient ammo to move anywhere they want in the draft.

Dallas then has 2 first round picks and 2 third round picks. Now onto what they should do with these.

#17 - Gabe Carimi, offensive lineman from Wisconsin. Day 1 starter at more than likely right tackle but could play either guard position. A solid pass protector and physical run blocker.

#27 - Phil Taylor, nose tackle from Baylor. A massive but athletic run stuffer to plug the middle of Rob Ryan's defense. Former Penn State player before transferring to Baylor, had an amazing Senior Bowl week. This selection also allows Jay Ratliff to move to defensive end giving Dallas a strong 3-4 front.

Third Round Pick(s) - Strength of the draft here is cornerback and offensive line. With regards to cornerbacks, selections there could be Brandon Burton from Utah or Ras-I Dowling from Virginia. I understand the cowboys took Carimi in the first round but I come back to the o-line in the 3rd round. I would select Marcus Gilbert from Florida, a superb pass protecting tackle who can play either tackle spot. Despite his average run blocking, he could make an immediate impact protecting either side from an NFL pass rusher.

I can hear you yelling at your computer, how can you ignore safety?! They need a starting cornerback, what about a 3rd wide receiver, there is no depth at inside linebacker?! You are correct in all of those observations, problem is Dallas simply has too many needs and not enough draft picks to fill all of them in one draft. However there is a consistency in teams that contend for Super Bowls, they are strong along their offensive & defensive line. Dallas must start there if they hope to become a respectable playoff contender again under Jason Garrett.