Dallas Cowboys Forecast
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Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
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(18) Manny Lawson, OLB. NC State
(49) Taitusi Lutui, OG. USC
(80) Roman Harper, S. Alabama
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Roy Williams is one of the best, young, talented players in the entire NFL. He can do it all from the safety position. Keith Davis, his runningmate in centerfield, is not a viable option for the Cowboys as a starter. Finding a safety in the early rounds in a necessity. In the linebacking corp, Al Singleton is not an ideal fit for the Bill Parcels defense. A physical linebacker to play opposite DeMarcus Ware would make a ton of sense. Finding a Parcels-type player in the early rounds would make a lot of sense. Offensively, even with the addition of Terrell Owens, the team needs insurance. Needless to say, TO is a time bomb waiting to happen. Terry Glenn is getting old, and a viable option as a #3 would round out the receiving corp and supply insurance in the case that Terrell Owens does not work out.
(18) Manny Lawson, OLB. Ohio State
Manny Lawson is the dream candidate to fill a role at OLB in the 3-4. With Al Singleton presenting a horrible fit and Bill Parcels prefering superior athletes on the edge of his defenses, Manny Lawson would give the Cowboys a second Lawrence Taylor-esque player opposite second-year defensive stud, Demarcus Ware. Having had experience lining up as a defensive end at NC State, Lawson is an excellent pass rusher. Lawson is a physical specimen. At 6'6", he has excellent size. His 7'2" wingspan and 42" vertical make him a force both as a pass rusher deflecting passes and as a coverage linebacker making plays on the ball. Lawson's 4.43 speed is beyond impressive and puts him in a class by himself among both OLB's and DE's. Lining up on the same defensive line as John McCargo (2nd round pick) and Mario Williams (Top 5 pick), Lawson earned Defensive Player of the Year honors at NC State the last two years. A player like Manny Lawson comes along once in a blue moon, and Bill Parcels knows this.
(49) Taitusi Lutui, OG. USC
Having lost Larry Allen to free agency, grabbing an offensive guard will be essential to the Cowboys' draft. While this need may well get pushed back to Day Two, Taitusi Lutui present good value as a guy who can do it all from the guard position. At 6'4"/334, Lutui is very large, but he possesses excellent footwork. He is very good in pass protection. As a run blocker, he is massive and strong, providing an incredible initial punch at the line. He has the ability to manhandle opponents. Amazingly, Lutui can play up to thirty pounds heavier than his training weight and still manage the same agility and speed numbers he does at 334. He is a freakish talent that projects very well tothe NFL because of this. Having had success at USC, Lutui is going to be seriously considered over every other draftable option for the Cowboys in round two.
(80) Roman Harper, S. Alabama
Needing a safety to better compliment Roy Williams, Roman Harper would fill a giant need for the Cowboys in round three. Harper would be also present excellent value. Harper was a very productive player on one of the best defensive units in the country this past season. He was a consistent player, week in and week out for Alabama. Harper is an instictive player that finds himself around the ball often. He is a tough-minded, physical tackler that is willing to stand in the way of anyone. His 6'0"/198 size is only average, but his 4.48 speed certainly looks good for a safety with his run-stopping abilites. If Harper can produce even close to what he did at Alabama in the NFL, the Cowboys will boast the best safety tandem in the NFL.
(*) Donte Whitner, S. Ohio State
The Cowboys need a centerfielder. They need a safety that is rangy and explosive. Donte Whitner of Ohio State has soared up draft boards after breaking the 4.40 barrier at the combine. His 5'10"/204 size is not elite, but his skill set is. He is an instinctive, sure-handed tackler. He is an excellent pass rusher on the blitz. Whitner can make picks in traffic, and run with even the fastest receivers in man coverage. He can line up at cornerback, supplying incredible flexibility for his defensive coordinator. Whitner is an ideal fit to play along side Roy Williams in Big D.
Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
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(18) Manny Lawson, OLB. NC State
(49) Taitusi Lutui, OG. USC
(80) Roman Harper, S. Alabama
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Roy Williams is one of the best, young, talented players in the entire NFL. He can do it all from the safety position. Keith Davis, his runningmate in centerfield, is not a viable option for the Cowboys as a starter. Finding a safety in the early rounds in a necessity. In the linebacking corp, Al Singleton is not an ideal fit for the Bill Parcels defense. A physical linebacker to play opposite DeMarcus Ware would make a ton of sense. Finding a Parcels-type player in the early rounds would make a lot of sense. Offensively, even with the addition of Terrell Owens, the team needs insurance. Needless to say, TO is a time bomb waiting to happen. Terry Glenn is getting old, and a viable option as a #3 would round out the receiving corp and supply insurance in the case that Terrell Owens does not work out.
Manny Lawson is a freakish pass-rushing specialist
(18) Manny Lawson, OLB. Ohio State
Manny Lawson is the dream candidate to fill a role at OLB in the 3-4. With Al Singleton presenting a horrible fit and Bill Parcels prefering superior athletes on the edge of his defenses, Manny Lawson would give the Cowboys a second Lawrence Taylor-esque player opposite second-year defensive stud, Demarcus Ware. Having had experience lining up as a defensive end at NC State, Lawson is an excellent pass rusher. Lawson is a physical specimen. At 6'6", he has excellent size. His 7'2" wingspan and 42" vertical make him a force both as a pass rusher deflecting passes and as a coverage linebacker making plays on the ball. Lawson's 4.43 speed is beyond impressive and puts him in a class by himself among both OLB's and DE's. Lining up on the same defensive line as John McCargo (2nd round pick) and Mario Williams (Top 5 pick), Lawson earned Defensive Player of the Year honors at NC State the last two years. A player like Manny Lawson comes along once in a blue moon, and Bill Parcels knows this.
(49) Taitusi Lutui, OG. USC
Having lost Larry Allen to free agency, grabbing an offensive guard will be essential to the Cowboys' draft. While this need may well get pushed back to Day Two, Taitusi Lutui present good value as a guy who can do it all from the guard position. At 6'4"/334, Lutui is very large, but he possesses excellent footwork. He is very good in pass protection. As a run blocker, he is massive and strong, providing an incredible initial punch at the line. He has the ability to manhandle opponents. Amazingly, Lutui can play up to thirty pounds heavier than his training weight and still manage the same agility and speed numbers he does at 334. He is a freakish talent that projects very well tothe NFL because of this. Having had success at USC, Lutui is going to be seriously considered over every other draftable option for the Cowboys in round two.
Roman Harper is smashmouth against the run,
but rangy enough to roam sideline-to-sideline
(80) Roman Harper, S. Alabama
Needing a safety to better compliment Roy Williams, Roman Harper would fill a giant need for the Cowboys in round three. Harper would be also present excellent value. Harper was a very productive player on one of the best defensive units in the country this past season. He was a consistent player, week in and week out for Alabama. Harper is an instictive player that finds himself around the ball often. He is a tough-minded, physical tackler that is willing to stand in the way of anyone. His 6'0"/198 size is only average, but his 4.48 speed certainly looks good for a safety with his run-stopping abilites. If Harper can produce even close to what he did at Alabama in the NFL, the Cowboys will boast the best safety tandem in the NFL.
Donte Whitner is the perfect compliment to Roy Williams
(*) Donte Whitner, S. Ohio State
The Cowboys need a centerfielder. They need a safety that is rangy and explosive. Donte Whitner of Ohio State has soared up draft boards after breaking the 4.40 barrier at the combine. His 5'10"/204 size is not elite, but his skill set is. He is an instinctive, sure-handed tackler. He is an excellent pass rusher on the blitz. Whitner can make picks in traffic, and run with even the fastest receivers in man coverage. He can line up at cornerback, supplying incredible flexibility for his defensive coordinator. Whitner is an ideal fit to play along side Roy Williams in Big D.