Bobby Carpenter First Round (18th overall) LB, Ohio State How He Fits: Like most first-round picks, the Cowboys are expecting Carpenter to contribute right away. He'll likely compete with veteran Al Singleton for the starting job at left outside linebacker, opposite DeMarcus Ware. Carpenter has played in a 3-4 scheme at Ohio State and has experience rushing the passer, leaving the school with the 10th most sacks (14 ½) in school history. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he would be disappointed if Carpenter did not become a rookie starter, maybe not day one, but certainly by early in the season.
Worth Mentioning: Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells coached his dad, Rob, who was a running back with the New York Giants.
Anthony Fasano Second Round (53rd overall) TE, Notre Dame How He Fits: According to Jones, Fasano fits into the Cowboys offense more than we initially thought. Jones said the Cowboys will use more of a one-back, two-tight end offense, which makes the fullback virtually extinct these days in Dallas. And while Fasano's strength lies more in his pass-catching than blocking, he will be asked to handle some of the H-back duties. But both Jones and scouting director Jeff Ireland labeled Fasano a "tough player" who will be asked to play immediately. Jones even said he expected Fasano to start alongside Pro Bowler Jason Witten. The Cowboys have plenty of depth now at tight end after signing free agent Ryan Hannam in March and returning third-year tight ends Brett Pierce and Sean Ryan.
Worth Mentioning: Fasano played for Parcells' former assistant coach Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame and is from Verona, N.J., so no doubt Parcells, also from New Jersey, has some cronies in the coaching business up there who know all about the multi-sport athlete in high school.
Jason Hatcher Third Round (92nd overall) DE, Grambling How He Fits: Depth, depth, depth. The Cowboys drafted three defensive ends last year in an effort to facilitate their new 3-4 scheme. They also have Greg Ellis. But Ireland said this weekend teams "can't have enough good defensive ends." The Cowboys think Hatcher can develop into a good a player, although he will need some work. At 6-6, 284 pounds, Hatcher said he could stand to put on about 10 to 15 pounds without losing much of his speed and quickness. Hatcher was reportedly clocked in the 4.8 range in the 40 at a pre-draft workout. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys find a pass-rush role for him inside on the nickel, as they did early last year with rookies Chris Canty and Marcus Spears.
Worth Mentioning: Hatcher led Grambling's defense last season with 11 quarterback sacks.
Skyler Green Fourth Round (125th overall) WR/KR, LSU How He Fits: The Cowboys need some sizzle in their return game and Green should provide plenty of that. Take away Randal Williams' kickoff return for a touchdown on Philadelphia's onside kick in the 2003, and the Cowboys haven't had a touchdown off a conventional punt or kickoff return since the 2002 season. And that's where Green comes in. He left LSU as the school's all-time leader in punt returns for touchdowns (four). On 69 career punt returns, Green averaged 14.3 yards. Green probably will compete for the kick-off return job with second-year running back Tyson Thompson, who set club records last year for kick-off return attempts and yards. Green had just 31 career kickoff returns for a 21.4 average. Green also could help in the passing game, although that won't be a priority this year with Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton around. But if he's active on game day, the Cowboys might try to implement some bubble screens for Green that he ran in college. And Parcells told him to work on his passing since he was a high school quarterback and did take some direct snaps out of shotgun at LSU.
Worth Mentioning:Green scored 14 touchdowns in his four years at LSU - nine receptions, four punt returns and one rushing.
Pat Watkins Fifth Round (138th overall) FS, Florida State How He Fits: The Cowboys have been looking to address the free safety position for about two years now. And despite re-signing Keith Davis to a two-year deal in the off-season and signing veteran Marcus Coleman to a one-year contract, the Cowboys are excited about adding Watkins, a player Jones said should compete for a starting job this year. Watkins was not too thrilled about lasting until the fifth round, saying he will enter this weekend's mini-camp with a chip on his shoulder.
At 6-5, Watkins is abnormally tall for a free safety, but he and the Cowboys don't see that as a problem. The Cowboys said he plays more like a "centerfielder," although he did have 205 tackles during his career.
Look for an intense training-camp battle to unfold between the incumbent starter Davis (15 starts in 2005), Coleman, Watkins, Justin Beriault and Willie Pile.
Worth Mentioning:Watkins ranks 15th on Florida State's all-time leaders with 10 career interceptions, and the Cowboys also have intentions of using his 6-5 frame as a red-zone receiver.
Montavious Stanley Sixth Round (182nd overall) DT, Louisville How He Fits: The Cowboys will plug Stanley right into the middle of the 3-4 defense, likely in a backup role to Jason Ferguson. In a draft short on true nose guards, the Cowboys were happy to acquire Stanley, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle at the end of last season that ultimately affected his draft status. However, Stanley says he's at 100 percent now and should be able to contribute at the start of training camp. With Pro Bowler La'Roi Glover now gone to the Rams, the Cowboys have just Thomas Johnson backing up Ferguson. Look for the Cowboys to add a defensive tackle or two among the rookie free agents.
Worth Mentioning:Stanley had a career-high 5½ sacks last season, earning his second-team All-Big East honors.
Pat McQuistan Seventh Round (211th overall) OT, Weber State How He Fits: He's not as solid as his twin brother, Paul, who was drafted by the Raiders in the third round, but Pat McQuistan could be a late-round find for the Cowboys. His versatility is a plus, with the ability to play both guard and tackle. At 6-6, 314, he has intimidating size, and if he can stick around long enough to take advantage of the team's weight room and conditioning program, he could develop into a solid pro.
Worth Mentioning:McQuistan attended Edmonds (Wash.) Community College where he attempted to play baseball. In high school, he also served as the team's punter.
E.J. Whitley Seventh Round (224th overall) C/G, Texas Tech How He Fits: Like McQuistan, Whitley comes to the Cowboys as a versatile prospect. Since high school, Whitley has started games at all five positions, and said he prefers to play center, where he can make the line calls and set up the blocking schemes. However, playing at Texas Tech, which runs a passing offense, Whitley knows he will have to work on his run blocking. He'll likely battle for backup spots with Stephen Peterman and Andre Gurode at the guard and center spots. But his experience at tackle could allow the Cowboys to experiment with him in training camp.
Worth Mentioning:Whitley was a two-time Big 12 Honorable Mention selection and a regular member of the Big 12 Academic Honor Roll.
