The Dallas Cowboys may be coming off a successful 12-4 season that saw them win a playoff game, but that doesn't mean that the team doesn't have holes. The team ranked 26th in opposing passing yards per game (251.0) and also just lost the NFL's leading rusher in DeMarco Murray. Cornerback and running back are very serious areas of need that need to be addressed this offseason. Will that be covered in the upcoming NFL draft?
"I believe cornerback was already at or near the top of the list entering the draft before they signed [Greg] Hardy," ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer wrote in a recent mailbag. "The Brandon Carr situation will not be resolved until after the draft, but by taking a corner early, they can cover themselves if he does not accept a pay cut. Morris Claiborne is no sure thing this year and in the final year of his contract. And with the 27th pick in the draft, they could be in a good spot to land a corner while they might be out of the range for some of the top-end pass rushers. Running back will also be a possibility, but you make a good point about the depth at the position this year. They could get a runner in the top three rounds and still be OK there."
The Cowboys have been linked to the draft's top rushers - Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon and Georgia's Todd Gurley - as well as Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson. Considering the decreasing value of running backs and the fact that Dallas' offensive line features three first-round picks, Jerry Jones may be best served by taking a CB instead of a ball-carrier in the first round. As Archer mentioned, this year's draft class is deep at running back and a rookie from the middle-rounds may be able to successfully compliment Darren McFadden.
