The Dallas Cowboys are coming into the draft with a number of needs on both sides of the ball and while Jerry Jones has said that a trade up to pick Johnny Manziel for a backup to Tony Romo is out of the cards, it doesn't mean the team isn't set to pick a talented player in the first round, as names like Calvin Pryor, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Timmy Jernigan could be in the mix for the 'Boys.
Jones has said how much he likes Manziel's game and the team has also raved about his arm strength and while rumors had the Cowboys thinking of trading up to get him, Jones quashed that and said the team is happy with the quarterback they have. According to ESPN.com, Jones said the team has a "good one" and that they are ready to build back the team after missing the playoffs and he also added that he thinks the team is good enough to win the division and that like everyone else, there are holes to fill on both sides of the ball. At the quarterback position the team has Tony Romo, Kyle Orton and Brandon Weeden under contract and they signed Caleb Hanie to take over for Orton until he comes into the fold or if he decides to retire, since he is absent for now.
Romo is coming back from an injury but it was not serious after missing the final game of the season last year and that saw the Cowboys lose to the Eagles to miss out on the playoffs again. Romo is 34 years old and the Cowboys will need to find a new QB in the future, but right now he is still playing at a high level and just signed a mega deal with the team and he will be the starter no matter what happens in the draft, even if the team somehow gets Manziel into the fold.
According to ESPN.com, the Cowboys are still getting their draft board set and names like Calvin Pryor, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Timmy Jernigan have all been mentioned as potential targets. Aaron Donald is another player that could be in the mix, but he may not last until 16, as the NY Giants have looked at him as a potential number 12 pick. The Cowboys need more depth in the secondary and Pryor or Dix could give them a very good safety. The team signed Henry Melton in the offseason, but Jernigan could be another big body up front with him.
ESPN.com reports that Jernigan had a diluted urine sample at the combine so he could fall, but the team is keeping its eye on him and he still could be in the mix. Last season the Cowboys ranked 30th in passing yards allowed per game and 27th in rushing yards allowed per game and that is one reason why many see the team going defense in the first round.