5 Cowboys-Centric NFL Draft Notes
105.3 THE FAN -- It's impossible to know what the Dallas Cowboys will do on Thursday night when the NFL Draft begins.
But Dallas does find itself in unfamiliar territory -- drafting late in the first round.
Here are 5 things that we DO know heading into this year's drafts.
1. The Cowboys Like To Move
Who will the Cowboys draft at No. 27? In all likelihood, nobody.
As pointed out by 105.3 The Fan's Mike Fisher, under Jerry Jones, the Cowboys have traded out of their first round draft slot 80 percent of the time.
While a move down the draft seems more likely, it's still possible that Dallas sacrifices a pick to make a move up for an impact player. (Todd Gurley?)
Mike Fisher
2. Don't Rule Out The O-Line
The Cowboys have drafted an offensive lineman in the first round in three of the past four drafts. They could do it again.
Jerry Jones alluded to the possibility on Tuesday. And if the Cowboys stay true to their board, they may be left without a choice.
The Cowboys have certainly displayed a talent for evaluating the position, but should they pull the first-round trigger for a potential 2015 backup?
"Another offensive lineman? I think at some point, it's overkill," said Mickey Spagnola on The Fan.
3. A Premium Running Back?
Jerry said on Tuesday that drafting a running back is "not a must." It could be posturing; It could be true.
But Dallas could face the possibility of making that decision as soon as Thursday night.
What if Todd Gurley slips into the mid-20s? What if Melvin Gordon is still there at 27? And how much do they like Tevin Coleman?
We'll find out tonight -- or maybe not, should the Cowboys trade out of the first round all together.
4. Drafting Romo's Heir
Tony Romo is under contract through 2019, but no one -- including the Cowboys -- expects him to be an elite starter at the age of 39.
"The Jones family, privately, has been saying this for months -- they realize it's time to start looking for that heir to Tony Romo," says Mike Fisher.
But how committed are the Cowboys to finding one? Quarterbacks are routinely over-drafted. Could Baylor's Bryce Petty sneak into the first round? Is Dallas willing to spend a day two pick on a QB?
Fisher believes veterans become undervalued around draft day. In light of that, he has another idea.
"I would let the Browns call me about Johnny Manziel today. I would take that phone call and see if they want to just give me Johnny Manziel."
5. Win Now Mode?
The Tony Romo window isn't shut, but it's not wide open either. Could that affect the way the Cowboys draft?
If Adrian Peterson is available via trade, he might represent the best chance to win next season -- but at a steep cost.
Might Dallas deviate from its draft board to fill a need?
The Cowboys have shown restraint in recent drafts. Can they do it again?
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
