Dallas Cowboys 2004 Draft Report
Card
By Bryan McGovern, NFL Editor
(Sports Network) - Jerry Jones
and Bill Parcells plotted strategies in the Cowboys' draft room
that resulted in accomplishing one of the club's main goals for
draft weekend: add depth to the offensive line, secondary and
running back position. But did this accomplishment come at the
expense of acquiring a potential franchise running back?
Dallas' decision to pass on
Oregon State's Steven Jackson, the No. 1-ranked rusher in the
draft, speaks volumes about Parcells' evaluation of Jackson and
his belief in Notre Dame's Julius Jones, who was added to provide
a spark in the running game. Still, it remains to be seen just
what the Cowboys are missing out on with Jackson.
The Bills were determined to get
Tulane's J.P. Losman after they missed out on the big three QBs
and wound up with WR Lee Evans with the 13th overall pick. Buffalo
gave the Cowboys a 2005 first-round pick, which could be at the
top of round one unless Buffalo improves in 2004, in the trade to
acquire Dallas' No. 1 (22nd overall). The biggest problem with
this trade is the Cowboys passing on Jackson, who is an
ultra-talented workhorse back. Dallas is in dire need of a feature
back and Jackson could have been a star in Big D. Even more
puzzling was the selection of Jones with the second-round pick
acquired from Buffalo.
Jones' football career was on the
rocks three years ago before his brother, Chicago's Thomas Jones,
helped him get back on the Irish roster. The difference between
Jackson and Jones in terms of NFL potential is light years.
Jackson is capable of carrying the ball 25 times per game; Jones
had fumbling problems and might not be more than a third-down
back. It's a risky move for a win-now team.
The trade also left the Cowboys
out of the hunt for Jackson, Michigan's Chris Perry and Virginia
Tech's Kevin Jones. The draft's top-three RBs all went between
picks 24 and 30.
The Cowboys plan to move Jacob
Rogers, a great value pick at No. 52, from left to right tackle.
Dallas also came up with a solid lineman in round three with the
addition of LSU's Stephen Peterman, who is a solid, durable guard
with nice mobility and a mean streak. Parcells is sending a
message to his underachieving offensive linemen by adding young
talent at the tackle and guard position so high in the draft.
Parcells is beginning to build
this Cowboys team like his old Giant teams -- strong defense,
physical offensive line and an offense that can control the clock
in the fourth quarter. Drew Henson's ability to manage a game was
a huge factor in the trade with Houston. With Henson and an extra
No. 1 pick on board, it's surprising to see the Cowboys building
for the long haul.
This draft comes down to
acquiring offensive line depth versus a possible franchise running
back. Jones and Parcells wanted to upgrade at cornerback, but the
selections of Rutgers' Nathan Jones and Purdue's Jacques Reeves
don't indicate a substantial upgrade opposite Terence Newman. Club
also failed to land a run-stuffing defensive tackle at any point.
Does Parcells have visions of Mark Bavaro when he sees Sean Ryan?
The BC rookie will team up with Jason Witten to form an
interesting one-two punch.
2004 Draft Picks: (2nd round-43rd
overall) RB-Julius Jones, Notre Dame; (2-52) OT-Jacob Rogers, USC;
(3-83) OG-Stephen Peterman, LSU; (4-121) CB-Bruce Thornton,
Georgia; (5-144) TE-Sean Ryan, Boston College; (7-205) CB-Nathan
Jones, Rutgers; (7-216) WR-Patrick Crayton, NW Oklahoma State;
(7-223) CB- Jacques Reeves, Purdue.
Sports Network Draft Grade: C-
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