Cowboys Solidify Defense With 2012 Draft

Morris Claiborne, the
Cowboys' #1 overall
draft pick this weekend 

The Dallas Cowboys disappointed fans with their lackadaisical finish to the 2011 season and changes were imminent for America's Team.  Their secondary was the most at fault, as they allowed the most 4th quarter lapses in the league last season and seemed lost at times.  The team found the fast-approaching NFL Draft as a great opportunity to improve upon their poor status.  The Cowboys made a statement early in the draft, as they traded their 1st and 2nd round picks to St. Louis for the #6 overall pick.  The Cowboys picked up former LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne to solidify the cornerback position. Claiborne was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award last season, as the nation's best defensive player, and was a member of two All-SEC teams during his time at LSU.  His 95 career tackles and 11 interceptions should make him the #1 option to replace Terence Newman at the cornerback position.  Claiborne was a great pick-up for Rob Ryan's defense during Thursday's 1st round, but there were still areas to improve upon.

The Cowboys had traded their 2nd round pick to draft Claiborne, so Jerry Jones and co. waited for their next move in the 3rd round.  With the 81st pick, the Cowboys went defensive, selecting defensive end Tyrone Crawford from Boise State with their lone draft pick on Friday. Crawford was the first of three Canadians selected in the year's draft and was an All-MWC player in 2011.  He had 76 career tackles, 27 for a loss, and 13.5 sacks during his college career.  Like Claiborne, he is expected to improve the sloppy defense and earn a starting position with the team.

The Cowboys entered today with five draft picks in four rounds, but turned their mindset to the offensive side of the ball.  Three of the team's draft picks, Wake Forest offensive linebacker Kyle Wilber (113th pick), Virginia Tech wide receiver Danny Coale (152nd), and Oklahoma tight end James Hanna (186th pick), were offensive players drafted by the team this afternoon.  The other two picks, Eastern Washington safety Matt Johnson (135th) and Montana inside linebacker Caleb McSurdy, remained consistent with the team's initial mindset heading into the year's draft.  Coale joins the Cowboys' roster as another talented receiver and will play alongside Pro Bowler Miles Austin and the talented Dez Bryant.  Hanna does not bring much, as he did not play well at Oklahoma, and was a surprise pick.  McSurdy and Johnson, on the other hand, will be given opportunities to earn spots on the roster.  Knowing NFL draft history, many of today's stars were unproven stars, either as an undrafted free agent or low draft selection.  These two players have the potential to make the team, as the Cowboys look to improve their disastrous defense.

Overall, the Dallas Cowboys faired well during the 2012 NFL Draft this weekend.  Even though they were not in the running to draft a player like Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, they stole a well-qualified cornerback at the beginning of the draft, and drafted to address their weaknesses.  The draft certainly improved the Cowboys, and brought them the talent to bring home another championship.