Mailbag: Use first-round pick to get a veteran? 

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I am all for using one of the first-round picks on a young elite defensive player, but what are the chances the Cowboys use one of those first-round picks to trade for a proven veteran defensive player? To walk away from the draft with a *first-*round cornerback and a stud linebacker or pass rusher by trading one of those firsts would be awesome. **– Josh Perry/Bolivar, TN

Kurt: I'm not expecting the Cowboys to go that route, to trade one of their first-round picks for a veteran who already has some skins on the wall, but it sure wouldn't bother me if they did. As we've seen before, expecting a rookie to step in and make an immediate impact is a tall order. There just aren't many who can do it.

Of course, there are rookies who have done just that, but I think it's safe to say that most newcomers need time to develop and get up to speed with the NFL game. And then there are those who just don't pan out at all. This annual draft endeavor is all a bit of a crapshoot in terms of predicting who will have successful careers and who won't, never mind who can hit the ground running right out the gate.

Throw in that Dallas needs help at several positions, primarily the ones you mentioned at inside linebacker, edge rusher and cornerback, and you have to wonder if the Cowboys can rely on a plan that requires a whole batch of even talented rookies to quickly turn around their defense. Or better yet, should they?

But perhaps those odds of rapidly improving the defense would increase if, instead of hoping a rookie is the real deal, the team went out and put, say, the 20th pick toward bringing in an established player who has already proven he can make an impact. A lot of things would have to fall in place to make that happen, but if the opportunity arises, I certainly wouldn't hang up the phone. And I don't think the Cowboys will either.

Nick: I don't think that should be the plan for this team right now. I get the thought process you get a proven player that can come in and be a difference-maker. We know what caliber player you get with first-round picks. Quinnen Williams came over here for a first-rounder and Micah Parsons was sent for two.

It's that type of player and this team, especially on defense, could use that guy. On the flip side, the Cowboys have plenty of high-priced vets as it is. This team has 11 players making at least $10 million per season, including the $60 million quarterback. There's two receivers making at least $27 million this year and two defensive tackles over $20 million per season. I say all of that to point out that it's time this team has some young "superstars" that don't count nearly as much.

That's the key to having success - getting cheap superstars. And obviously, they're never cheap for long because the good ones get new contracts. But you can't just keep trading draft capital for high-priced vets. Not only are you losing the pick, but paying much higher prices as well. Yes, you get the proven player but I think it's safe to say the Cowboys have enough of those right now. What they need is young, core players who can step in and contribute now, without breaking the already-broken bank.

As enticing as it sounds, I think the Cowboys need to get two really good players on Day 1 because this team still needs more than that.