Endless Options on Draft Day

A lot of the so-called draft experts are releasing their mock drafts right now. There are endless amounts of the mock drafts to read and review if you find them to be interesting. What is funny is that absolutely none of them will be very accurate when the real draft starts at the end of the month. The first round predictions for the Cowboys seem to be primarily focused on either left tackle or safety.

Both of those positions make perfect sense. It is obvious that the Cowboys are looking to upgrade at the safety position. It seems like that has been the case for the last five years. And offensive line is an area of need. Flozell Adams will probably be back for one more year but the Cowboys are looking for depth and future starters on the line.

I would be surprised if the Cowboys don't select an offensive lineman or a safety if one of the top players drops all the way down to them at the 27th spot in round 1. But the bigger question is whether it makes sense to try to trade up to get someone they deem to be a "special" player.

If the Cowboys have their eyes on one of the top safeties should they move up in the draft to get him? And how high should they be willing to go? There are several potentially good safeties in the first round. But the problem is that most if not all of them will be gone by the time the Cowboys get to pick if they wait until the 27th pick. Earl Thomas from Texas is projected to be taken in the middle of the first round. The problem is that it costs a lot on draft day to make a move up that high. I don't think the Cowboys have the ammunition to get up that high without trading future picks. And future picks may not hold much value this season with a potential lock out at the end of the 2010 season.

What about offensive line? Should the Cowboys move up to get a lineman? The Cowboys have been showing a lot of interest in Mike Iupati from Idaho. But he has been making a move up in the first round based on his combine performance. If the Cowboys really want him I could see moving up a few spots to get him but a moving up more than 5 spots in round 1 will just cost them too much.

I would like to see a patient but potentially aggressive approach. The Cowboys don't need to try to build depth across the board. They need to land a few future starters. If the Cowboys come out the draft with 2 or 3 potentially good/great players I will be happy. I'd like to see trades up if trades are going to happen for the Cowboys. This is not the year for the Cowboys to stockpile picks.