Dallas' defense was better last year than in 2013 but still not great. The Cowboys addressed this and made five of their eight picks defensive players during the NFL draft, which was held this past Thursday through Saturday in Chicago.
In the first round, the Cowboys took Byron Jones, a cornerback out of Connecticut. Jones set a world record in the broad jump at the NFL combine in February and is fast and can play corner or safety. He seems like a very solid pick overall. There wasn't a ton of buzz around him because he did play the whole 2014 season as he suffered a shoulder injury. He could prove valuable on a team that has two underperforming cornerbacks in Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr. Monday, the Cowboys declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Claiborne's rookie deal, meaning he will be a free agent after the 2015 season, which most likely indicates he will be a Cowboy for just one year. The versatile Jones seems like he has his head on straight He has already mentioned wanting to contribute on special teams.
In the second round, Dallas got a potential steal or a trouble maker. Randy Gregory, a defensive end out of Nebraska, is said to have first-round ability, however, he tested positive for marijuana at the combine, which seems really stupid since everyone knows they will be tested. He seems thankful for the opportunity, though, and has said he will make the Cowboys proud. He has also agreed to a
support system which will help him adjust.
In the third round, Dallas shored up an already-strong offensive line with Chaz Green, an offensive tackle out of Florida. He is expected to take the place of Jeremy Parnell. He has the ability to move around on the line and will likely get reps at right tackle as Dog Free recovers from foot surgery. The fourth-round pick was Minnesota linebacker Damien Wilson. In the fifth round, Dallas went with another defensive end, Ryan Russell from Purdue, who is from the Dallas area. The Cowboys did not have any sixth-round picks but had three in the seventh and picked Laurence Gibson, a Virginia Tech offensive tackle, Wyoming linebacker Mark Nzeocha, and blocking tight end Geoff Swaim from Texas.
Surprisingly, Dallas opted not to take a running back despite the loss of DeMarco Murray in the offseason. Jerry Jones said before the draft that running back was not a high priority for the team. I thought it would at least be a small priority, though. But apparently not. For now, the team's running backs are Darren McFadden, who was signed as a free agent, Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, and Ryan Williams. The team signed a number of undrafted rookies who face uphill climbs in making the team, but one of them is Synjyn Days, a running back from Georgia Tech. I was hoping the team would draft a running back, but I have said all along that the main strength of the running game is the offensive line. That theory will definitely be put to the test this season. Something else to keep in mind is offensive line coach Bill Callahan isn't on the team anymore and is with the Redskins.
Virginia draft picks: Two Cavaliers were selected in the draft. Defensive end/outside linebacker Eli Harold went to the 49ers in the third round and outside linebacker Max Valles went to the Raiders in the sixth round. Safety Anthony Harris (Vikings) and receiver Darius Jennings (Browns) signed as rookie free agents and linebacker Daquan Romero did as well I think, but I can't find his team.
In the first round, the Cowboys took Byron Jones, a cornerback out of Connecticut. Jones set a world record in the broad jump at the NFL combine in February and is fast and can play corner or safety. He seems like a very solid pick overall. There wasn't a ton of buzz around him because he did play the whole 2014 season as he suffered a shoulder injury. He could prove valuable on a team that has two underperforming cornerbacks in Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr. Monday, the Cowboys declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Claiborne's rookie deal, meaning he will be a free agent after the 2015 season, which most likely indicates he will be a Cowboy for just one year. The versatile Jones seems like he has his head on straight He has already mentioned wanting to contribute on special teams.
In the second round, Dallas got a potential steal or a trouble maker. Randy Gregory, a defensive end out of Nebraska, is said to have first-round ability, however, he tested positive for marijuana at the combine, which seems really stupid since everyone knows they will be tested. He seems thankful for the opportunity, though, and has said he will make the Cowboys proud. He has also agreed to a
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| Byron Jones at the NFL combine. |
In the third round, Dallas shored up an already-strong offensive line with Chaz Green, an offensive tackle out of Florida. He is expected to take the place of Jeremy Parnell. He has the ability to move around on the line and will likely get reps at right tackle as Dog Free recovers from foot surgery. The fourth-round pick was Minnesota linebacker Damien Wilson. In the fifth round, Dallas went with another defensive end, Ryan Russell from Purdue, who is from the Dallas area. The Cowboys did not have any sixth-round picks but had three in the seventh and picked Laurence Gibson, a Virginia Tech offensive tackle, Wyoming linebacker Mark Nzeocha, and blocking tight end Geoff Swaim from Texas.
Surprisingly, Dallas opted not to take a running back despite the loss of DeMarco Murray in the offseason. Jerry Jones said before the draft that running back was not a high priority for the team. I thought it would at least be a small priority, though. But apparently not. For now, the team's running backs are Darren McFadden, who was signed as a free agent, Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, and Ryan Williams. The team signed a number of undrafted rookies who face uphill climbs in making the team, but one of them is Synjyn Days, a running back from Georgia Tech. I was hoping the team would draft a running back, but I have said all along that the main strength of the running game is the offensive line. That theory will definitely be put to the test this season. Something else to keep in mind is offensive line coach Bill Callahan isn't on the team anymore and is with the Redskins.
Virginia draft picks: Two Cavaliers were selected in the draft. Defensive end/outside linebacker Eli Harold went to the 49ers in the third round and outside linebacker Max Valles went to the Raiders in the sixth round. Safety Anthony Harris (Vikings) and receiver Darius Jennings (Browns) signed as rookie free agents and linebacker Daquan Romero did as well I think, but I can't find his team.
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