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Dallas Cowboys must address defense in NFL Draft

By Nick Ziegler

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The Dallas Cowboys will looking for their second consecutive winning season for the first time since the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The team that went 12-4 last season could be noticeably different in 2015 with two of their best players potentially hitting the open market.

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) and running back DeMarco Murray (29) speak before the game against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Dez Bryant are two of the best possible free agents this offseason and their value to the Cowboys’ offense was easily seen, but they also had an impact on the defense.

One of the best parts about the Cowboys’ offense was their ability to limit turnovers and control the time of possession with a strong running game. Keeping their offense on the field kept their defense off of it.

The Cowboys’ defense was expected to be one of the worst defenses of all-time, but with the offense doing a great job  a lot of what they were lacking was covered up. Defensive coordinator Ron Marinelli deserves a lot of credit as well for getting the most out of the group.

Recently the Cowboys decided to not pick up the option for one of their better defensive players as defensive tackle Henry Melton will become a free agent. The move to let Milton go was one that was likely to come this offseason, as it will create the Cowboys $8.4 million in cap space.

Melton was second on the Cowboys in sacks last season with five, but his production disappeared in the last seven games of the season. With Melton gone, the Cowboys will likely be using that money towards Murray and Bryant. However, it will leave the Cowboys needing to replace Melton.

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Dallas has been addressing the offensive line over the past few years in the first-round by drafting Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin. Now that their offensive line has been built into one of the best in the NFL, the time has come for the Cowboys to look to build in the trenches on the other side of the ball.

Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) is pressured by Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Carl Davis (71) at Kinnick Stadium. Could Davis be on the Cowboys’ radar come draft time? Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

In the upcoming NFL draft, the Cowboys have the 27th pick, which should give them two very good options to decide on at defensive tackle. The first option for the Cowboys will be Carl Davis from the University of Iowa.

Davis is a monster at 6’5”, 315 pounds, which makes up for his college stats not being all that impressive. Davis will never be a double-digit sack guy for the Cowboys, but he can certainly become an anchor against the run for a long time with his size.

Another possibility for the Cowboys in the draft will be Jordan Phillips from Oklahoma. Phillips is slightly taller and weighs a bit more than Davis at 6’6” 334 pounds, but mobility-wise he is something special for his size. Phillips looks to have a higher ceiling than Davis, but both would be good replacements for Milton on the defensive line.

With the Cowboys’ priority in free agency to re-sign their stars on offense, they will need to begin to put some talent on the defensive side of the ball through the NFL Draft.

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