Dallas Cowboys: NFL Offseason Report Card

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Dallas Cowboys
2009 Draft Grade: B

Free Agent/Non Draft: C-

Total Grade: C

Overall Needs:
•Safety
•Defensive End
•Left Tackle
•Quarterback
•Inside Linebacker
•Wide Receiver

Draft Picks:
Rd / Sel# / Name / Pos. / School
3) 69 Jason Williams LB Western Illinois
3) 75 Robert Brewster OT Ball State
4) 101 Stephen McGee QB Texas A&M
4) 110 Victor Butler DE/LB Oregon State
4) 120 Brandon Williams DE/LB Texas Tech
5) 143 DeAngelo Smith CB Cincinnati
5) 166 Michael Hamlin S Clemson
5) 172 David Buehler K Southern California
6) 197 Stephen Hodge S TCU
6) 208 John Phillips TE Virginia
7) 227 Mike Mickens CB Cincinnati
7) 229 Manuel Johnson WR Oklahoma

Arrivals: Old Team
LB Keith Brooking (FA) Atlanta
QB Jon Kitna (trade) Detroit
DE Igor Olshansky (FA) San Diego
S Gerald Sensabaugh (FA) Jacksonville

Departures: New Team
LB Kevin Burnett (FA) San Diego
DE Chris Canty (FA) NY Giants
CB Anthony Henry (trade) Detroit
QB Brad Johnson (FA)
DT Tank Johnson (FA) Cincinnati
CB Adam Jones (FA)
WR Terrell Owens (FA) Buffalo
LB Zach Thomas (FA) Kansas City
S Roy Williams (FA) Cincinnati

Offseason Analysis:

The Dallas Cowboys had an interesting draft with 12 selections, but none in the first day. That means they had to be smart. In the third round, they took Jason Williams, a linebacker from Western Illinois who ran a 4:49 40. He provides depth. Also in the third, they grabbed OT Robert Brewster from Ball State. He’ll be a guard in the NFL and should eventually replace Kyle Kosier at left guard.

In the fourth, they shocked some folks by taking Texas A&M QB Stephen McGee. He’s the first qb drafted by the Cowboys since 2001. He’s big and athletic and should be groomed for the future. Victor Butler and Brandon Williams are both OLB/DE types who were taken in the fourth round. Butler is smaller and can play outside in the 3-4 defense. Williams is a pass-rush guy, who doesn’t quite fit in.

In the fifth round, they took, DeAngelo Smith, a corner from Cincinnati who can return punts. S Michael Hamlin from Clemson was added in the fifth. He’ll play special teams to start. They took a kicker in the fifth round (because they had so many picks) in David Buehler, to be a kickoff specialist.

In the sixth round, they added TE John Phillips. The big tight end from Virginia is a good blocker. In the seventh, they may have found a steal in CB Mike Mickens, who is getting over a knee injury. WR Manuel Johnson is a longshot to make the team.

In free agency, the Cowboys were very quiet. They did grab OLB Keith Brooking from Atlanta. He’s a major upgrade over aging Zach Thomas but is also on the downside. They traded for Roy Williams last year and now he’ll have to show he’s the number one receiver with T.O. gone.

If Tony Romo gets hurt, at least they don’t have to go to an over-the-hill QB like Brad Johnson. They can turn to Jon Kitna. On defense, they brought in DE Igor Olshansky who takes over for Chris Canty.

• Cowboys Extend Phillips
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