Draft Day Thoughts on the Cowboys 1st Round

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Draft Day Thoughts on the Cowboys 1st Round

Yes, I was really wondering if the Cowboys got "cute" and "smart" again by passing on the top three running backs by trading out of the first round for extra draft picks and Buffalo's number one in 2005.

Taking a step back, I wonder what was going on with everyone's top running back Steven Jackson.

First, the Patriots decided they would rather give up a second round draft pick in a trade for the malcontent, Corey Dillon, instead of waiting to see if Jackson fell to them in the first round. The trade happened days before the draft.

The Lions elected to take wide receiver, Roy Williams, after trading down with Cleveland. They needed a running back.

Tampa Bay took wide receiver Michael Clayton. The Broncos chose linebacker D.J. Williams.

That is four teams who all passed on the chance to take the top running back on the board.

The Cowboys became the fifth when they traded out of the 22nd spot. Jackson and Kevin Jones were on the draft board for the Cowboys.

Cincinnati was the sixth club to pass when they traded down with the Rams at 24.

It's clear the league wasn't sold on Jackson or Jones are true difference makers at the running back spot. Otherwise they would not have last so long on the draft boards. Jackson finally went 24th when St. Louis traded up with the Bengals who chose Chris Perry four slots before Kevin Jones became the third running back to be taken in the first round.

Most Cowboy fans will be upset because they really don't know who Julius Jones is. Jones played for a sorry Notre Dame team last year.

Mike Shananhan will get credit for running back taking Tatum Bell in the second round. Julius Jones was ranked ahead of Bell in most draft reports I read. Denver has a history of hitting on running backs without using first round picks.

Bill Parcells has done well with running backs in later rounds. He reminded the media about Curtis Martin. He used a third rounder on him while he coached New England.

Parcells won Super Bowl XXI with a second round pick, Joe Morris, as his top runner. Morris rushed for 15 touchdowns and had a Giants team record 1,516 yards during the season.

This is one where you have to believe in Coach Parcells and offensive coordinator Mo Carthon's ability to judge talent.

The Bills top pick next year could be really good. This club has a new coach and if you look at their schedule they might have 10 losses in 2004.