Dallas Cowboys: Is CB Kevin Johnson the Right Pick?

The Dallas Cowboys have garnered a lot of attention this off-season due Jerry Jones’ decisions with free agency.

There was the decision to franchise receiver Dez Bryant, the decision to let DeMarco Murray walk and ultimately bring in Darren McFadden, and maybe most glaringly the decision to keep his wallet in his pocket in terms of flashy moves that used to be his calling card. Most fans have to wonder if Jones’ plan all along was to use the draft to rebuild like the Cowboys teams of the early ’90s and with about two weeks to go they will soon have their answer.

Since Dallas was so successful last year, they will not pick until No. 27 unless they trade up, so it is important for them to be clear and decisive on how they approach the draft. Since most difference makers are found in the early rounds, the Cowboys have to be thinking about their below average corner backs in 2014.

This group was surprisingly bad even though the Cowboys and Jerry Jones have spent many millions of dollars on the position in Brandon Carr and Will Claiborne. While it might have been an aberration, chances are Dallas can’t afford to wait to see what will happen without making changes in 2015. Corner back Kevin Johnson from Wake Forest is the perfect player for the cowboys to target in round one.

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Johnson is a player equally adept at both pass and run defense, something that corner backs sometimes struggle with due to the size of blockers and ball carriers in the NFL. While playing both outside and on slot receivers in nickel, Johnson was a guy that always showed a nose for the ball in college. Even though he might be considered smaller than many corners at 188 pounds, his toughness showed as he never missed a game in college during a 41 game playing streak. His versatility and relatively quick speed (4.5 40 yard dash) are the perfect combination for a team in the Cowboys that suffer from a major consistency issue in pass coverage.

Last year the Cowboys were one of the worst pass coverage teams in pro football. While giving up over 4,000 yards through the air, the Cowboys ranked 27th overall in the NFL in pass defense. This kind of repeat performance just won’t do in the NFC East; there are too many great receivers in the division to think they can get away with another sub par season from the corner back group in Valley Ranch. Jerry Jones would be kicking himself if he threw away a legitimate chance at a Super Bowl due to his defense.

The Cowboys have all the firepower they need on offense for the most part. Their line is one of the best in the game, and they can pass the ball with the best of them. The fact of the matter is that if they really want to compete with the big boys in the NFL, they need the ability to turn the opposing teams offense over to give Tony Romo extra possessions, or better yet score a few more defensive touchdowns. Kevin Johnson needs to be their target early to make sure the Cowboys have a defense fans can be proud of.

Next: Dallas Cowboys to grab a RB in Round 2?

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