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and also has good speed. He will likely start off as the Cowboys' nickle corner as it isn't likely that he will beat out incumbent starting CB Terrence McGee. Connor has the tools to develop into a future starter, however, and the Cowboys' front office is very pleased with the selection. With the Cowboys' first second round pick (26th overall), DE Carnell Hanks was selected. Hanks has the speed to be an effective PFL pass rusher and was rated as a 1st round pick in many publications. Though the Cowboys' starting DE's are set with DE Derrick Harvey entering his second season after a spectacular rookie campaign and veteran DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila; however, depth on the defensive line is crucial in Biddle's schemes and there is no question Hanks will be utilized in schemes and groomed as an eventual replacement for Kabeer. With their second pick of the second round (30th overall), the Cowboys selected TE Reggie Hewitt - a tight end with tremendous speed and size. Hewitt appears to be the heir to TE Randy McMichael, but he will certainly see action in 2 TE sets as he develops. LB Antrel Brown was selected with the Cowboys final second round pick (36th overall) - a solid prospect who displays good size and speed at linebacker. The Cowboys' linebacker corps struggled this past season and Brown should contribute as an immediate starter, pushing either OLB Juwan Simpson or OLB Stanford Keglar to a reserve role. With the Cowboys first of two picks in the third round (50th overall), the Cowboys selected DE Jameel Miller - another prospect deemed a 1st or 2nd round player by some publications, which yielded good value in the third round. Miller is a different breed of defensive end compared to many of the players on the Cowboys' roster. His brute strength can be used to wear down offensive lineman as he spots speed rushers and he actually was effective in training camp at rushing the passer. With the ability to collapse the pocket, it will not be a suprise if Miller emerges as a legitimate threat on the edges or inside. With their second third round pick (58th overall), the Cowboys selected LB Jake Willey - which some considered a reach. Willey is an extremely raw talent, but possesses speed and size that very few PFL linebackers possess. He could emerge as a potential future star and starter in the developmental linebacker corps and he is expected to see plenty of playing time. The Cowboys' lone 4th round selection (74th overall) was spent on another raw talent, S John Long. Long is a tall safety at 6'4" and he also possesses great speed for a safety, making him a potential starter or situational player at either safety position. The Cowboys possessed the first two picks of the fifth round (97th and 98th overall) and the picks were spent on DE Curtis Barry and HB Derrick Spence. Barry impressed in scrimmages and interviews with the team, recording a sack and an interception in a scrimmage as a part-time DE. Spence is a runningback who has some power and speed, though he was known as a fumbler in college. He has potential and could become a situational player in the Cowboys' schemes, though he isn't likely to be a starter unless he corrects his fumbling issues. He also has HB Wali Lundy in front of him, who is youthful and is coming off of a superb year in backup of HB Julius Jones. With their first pick in the fifth round (106th overall), the Cowboys selected S Joe Newberry - another speedy safety who could see part time action on passing downs and will certainly be a contributor on special teams on kick coverage. With their second fifth round pick (116th overall), the Cowboys selected OT Toby Russell, a raw talent who displayed good strength, agility, acceleration for an offensive tackle. He was a good pass blocker in college, but his run blocking needs development if he is to crack a starting lineup. He adds solid depth to the Cowboys' offensive line. With their first of three picks in the sixth round (122nd overall), the Cowboys selected DT Larry Lyons - a player who could emerge as a situational pass rushing DT as he displayed excellent speed in comparison to others at the position. With their second pick in the sixth round (130th overall), the Cowboys selected S Donald Green. Green has moderate speed at the position, but is a talented player who fell much farther than expected. Regardless, he has a shot to earn the starting FS job as he will battle with incumbent FS Renaldo Hill. He could see special teams duty as well. With their final pick in the sixth round (132nd overall), the Cowboys selected QB Ernie Thomas - a southpaw quarterback who possesses a strong, accurate arm, but is also a statue in the pocket with minimal speed and elusiveness. With their first pick in the seventh round, the Cowboys selected DE Lamar Vales, another fairly talented defensive end who possesses a combination of speed and strength that could make him effective as a part-time player. The final pick for the Cowboys in the draft (seventh round, 154th overall) was FB Ed Browning, a player who earned the reputation as a stellar run blocker in college. He will compete for playing time with incumbent FB Brandon Miree. |
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