Dallas Cowboys should focus on defensive help, QB at NFL combine
Feb 22, 2016
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
A closer look at the positions the Dallas Cowboys could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:
Positions of need: Since the Cowboys were 4-12 in 2015, you name the position, the Cowboys have a need. They need help at defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback, safety, wide receiver, running back and quarterback. The biggest question will be if the Cowboys use the fourth pick in the draft at quarterback since Tony Romo turns 36 in April. Finding immediate help on an every-down basis at cornerback, defensive end and defensive tackle is a must in this draft. They can use free agency to fill roster holes before the draft so they can stay truer to their board.
Three players the Cowboys could focus on at the combine:
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA: Jack played in only three games as a junior because of a knee injury and almost immediately announced he would make himself available for the draft. He might be the best athlete in the draft. He had seven rushing touchdowns as a freshman, but he is a three-down linebacker. The question the Cowboys must answer is whether he plays middle linebacker or weakside linebacker. Wherever he plays, he can get to the ball. But the most important part of the combine will be the medical tests since he will not work out. Teams will want to see how far along he is in his rehab.
Jared Goff, QB, California: The Cowboys got to know North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz at the Senior Bowl and will be able to use the combine to get to know the other top quarterback prospects, such as Goff and Memphis’ Paxton Lynch. Goff put up career highs in yards, completion percentage and touchdowns last season. Five of his 143 interceptions came in one game, but he has complete faith in his arm. He doesn’t lack for confidence and will throw at the combine.
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State: The Cowboys aren’t likely to bring back Greg Hardy and Jeremy Mincey and Jack Crawford are also free agents. Picking fourth, the Cowboys could have the chance to take whom many consider the best defensive end in the draft. Bosa had 26 sacks in three seasons but just five as a junior. But he had more than 50 tackles for loss in his career. Can he be an elite pass-rusher as a right defensive end? The Cowboys could move DeMarcus Lawrence back to right defensive end after he led the Cowboys in sacks in 2015.