Draft Analysis: Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Correspondent Johnny Gust

A new era has begun in `Big D'. Parcells has taken over the reigns
and, after another dismal campaign in 2002, a collective sigh of
relief has been heard throughout the Cowboy faithful from all over
the globe.

Three glaring needs were addressed in the first three rounds of this
year's draft, taking a shutdown corner, an excellent TE, and one of
the best centers in the draft. With some really good draft choices
under his belt and the Big Tuna's coaching savvy, optimism is
beginning to grow with Cowboy fans for the 2003 season.

No surprise in the first round as Parcells and the Cowboys targeted
cornerback Terence Newman from Kansas State. With blazing speed and a
real nose for the ball, Newman has the potential to be a shutdown
corner in the NFL. The only knock on this guy is that he may lack a
little in size (5'10", 180 lbs), but his coverage skills more than
make up for this shortcoming. Overall, a great pick as Newman can
come in and make an immediate impact.

In the second round, the Cowboys took Al Johnson, center, from
Wisconsin. Another good pick here as Johnson is a two-time All Big
Ten selection, with lots of playing experience and excellent
athleticism. Johnson has been a starter since his sophomore year at
Wisconsin and has lots of explosiveness off the ball and is also an
excellent downfield blocker. This young man's work ethic reveals why
Parcells liked him so much and had no problem pulling the trigger
with this pick.

In the third round came a welcome sight for all the Cowboy faithful
as they selected Jason Whitten, TE, from Tennessee. This guy is the
real deal and has an opportunity to be the next Jay Novacek in the
Cowboys' offense.

He has very good size (6' 6", 264 lbs) and is extremely strong.
Whitten was a DE his freshman year before being converted to TE.
However, he did take that defensive tenacity to the other side of the
ball as not many people have ever tackled him solo. In addition, he
has the speed to create mismatches and open the middle of the field,
as not many linebackers will be able to cover him.

An excellent fourth round choice came in the form of linebacker
Bradie James from LSU.

A natural on the outside, James made the transition to middle
linebacker his senior year. James is an excellent tackler and
possesses both the size and speed to be an impact player. Also worth
noting is that he's a very intelligent young man, making the SEC
Academic Honor Role. In my opinion, the only reason James lasted
until the fourth round is the fact that he is not a flashy guy, he is
every bit the team player, who just quietly does his job and lets his
stats speak for themselves. Look for some good things in the future
with James.

The Cowboys had no pick in the fifth round as a result of a trade
with New England in 2002. Apparently, this did not bother Parcells as
he proved he still has an eye for the player that will best fit his
system with more potential upside than down.

With the first of two sixth round picks, the Cowboys took B.J.
Tucker, a speedster of a cornerback from Wisconsin. Tucker had the
2nd fastest time in the 40 at the combine, and, because of his speed,
could blossom as a return specialist, as well as a good nickel back.
Tucker does get good position on the ball when its' thrown, but he is
raw as a tackler. He is also known as gambler, which is another
potential drawback, but Parcells sees these weaknesses as ones that
can be coached. Overall a good pick when compared to what was left on
the board at this position.

The next pick had the Cowboys taking WR/punt return specialist Zuriel
Smith from Hampton. This Smith is no comparison to the Smith now
playing in Arizona, but he did put up respectable numbers for a WR at
a small school. If Zuriel is to make the final roster it will be as a
return specialists and a situational WR. He runs well, but is not the
speedster needed to stretch the field, nor the type to add depth at
the WR position.

The Cowboys also had a pair of picks in the seventh round, opting to
trade the latter pick with Detroit. With their first selection in
this round the Cowboys took Justin Bates, an OT from Colorado. Bates
has the size, quickness, agility, and the intuitiveness at picking up
blitzes and stunts to play in the NFL, but a questionable blocking
technique will make him a long-term investment. Bates is also one
very strong prospect, with a bench press of 431 pounds. A solid pick
at this spot, Bates should add depth to an offensive line that needs
help.

The Cowboys traded their other seventh round pick for RB Aveion Cason
from Detroit. While not seen as a threat to challenge as an every
down back, Cason does do one thing well that Parcells feels he should
not be without: a good receiver out of the backfield.

Cason was a third down back in Detroit, and caught 23 passes for 320
yards last season. With the talent pool as thin as it was at this
point in the draft, many agree that Parcells made a solid move at
this spot, including myself.

Overall the Cowboys had a really good draft. Parcells seems to have
an excellent combination of players that can come in and provide an
immediate impact, along with a few players who, if they develop into
what Parcells believes they can, will provide help for the future
without being a major burden against the salary cap.