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Mailbag: Best Situation In This Year's NFL Draft?

DallasCowboys.com Report
February 9, 2009 4:45 PM
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 MORE MAILBAG

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Mailbag: Any One Player The Cowboys Have To Get?  2/5
Mailbag: Your Take On The Anderson Situation?  2/4
Mailbag: How Can The Offense Score More Points?  2/3
Mailbag: Could The Cowboys Get Julius Peppers?  2/2

(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)

CHAD SUTTON, TALLAHASSEE, FL: What, in your opinion, is the best situation we can have come out of this year's draft?

Mickey: Best scenario since the first-round pick already has been used on a wide receiver (Roy Williams) would be the Cowboys coming away with a starting quality inside linebacker and defensive lineman (end or nose tackle), adding some safety depth and then in the later rounds or when signing rookie free agents finding a quarterback worthy of grooming as a potential backup down the road.

Josh: There are a few must-haves. The Cowboys need a defensive lineman or two, an inside linebacker and a safety, at least. If they could also get an offensive lineman, a receiver and a cornerback, it wouldn't hurt. The thing is, they have nine picks (and that number is likely to go up), but there's no way so many rookies make the team. Expect to see a lot of trades. If the Cowboys can stockpile more picks for 2010 while filling some holes, it will have been a good weekend.

Rob: Can we get to free agency first? Their priorities could really change depending on what happens with Chris Canty, Kevin Burnett, Zach Thomas and, dare I say it, Terrell Owens. No matter what, offensive line and defensive line depth are important. Other positions are safety, linebacker, perhaps quarterback and wide receiver. Finding guys with a special teams background, like Deon Anderson and Orlando Scandrick, is critical.

Nick: It looks like there will be as many as 11 picks, after the compensatory picks are added for losing free agents such as Jacques Reeves, Nate Jones and Julius Jones. If that occurs, the Cowboys probably don't have room on the roster for 11 rookies. Therefore, I would say the Cowboys make more trades on draft-day, probably moving up to add another third, or possibly a second-round pick. Maybe even picks for next year, too. However, with the players they draft, keep finding guys like Choice and Scandrick in the later rounds. But I think the Cowboys should consider trading for veterans. Draft day seems to be the one time where the value on vets are the lowest. Remember, Randy Moss went for a fourth-round pick.

RUDY MICALLEF, MESQUITE, TX: Given the amount of force it takes to punt a ball, and the location of the break on Mat McBriar's foot, should there be any concern that he may not be as effective next season?

Mickey: Not sure if the word would be "concern," but I think it's something the Cowboys must closely monitor once he's capable of getting back in the swing of things. Normally with broken bones, they become even stronger once they heal but it will be important to make sure McBriar doesn't try to start kicking too soon. I'm sure they will look for another punter to help in the off-season, if nothing else, to relieve him of handling the entire load al by himself, especially in training camp.

Josh: Pain shouldn't be an issue - that ball is only filled with air, after all. But we'll see how much the time off affects McBriar. If he's rusty at training camp, or he's lost leg strength from missing workouts, then there's legitimate reason for concern. Maybe he won't be bothered at all, but it'll be worth keeping an eye on, at least until he shows he can still do it.

Rob: I last talked to Mat in mid-December. He had just replaced his cast with a walking boot and was starting rehab, doing really well. The target then was March. He did have multiple fractures, but he's got plenty of time to let them heal and then regain the strength in his foot.

Nick: Great question and yes there IS concern. Even McBriar told me last fall that he is somewhat concerned with how the foot will recover. We're not talking about just trying to run and cut again like most players need with a foot injury. He has to strike the ball with that same foot.
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