The Dallas Cowboys made defense a priority in the NFL Draft over acquiring a star running back or even a quarterback and so far the move appears worth it. The Cowboys' draft picks did not come without controversy. The team selected Randy Gregory who saw his draft stock drop heading into the first round. The team also signed La'el Collins who had to deal with a police investigation which caused him to not get drafted altogether. However, after the team's rookie mini-camp, all of the risks appear worth it.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys already believe that first-round draft pick Byron Jones can be an immediate starter for the team. A cornerback was not what the Cowboys were predicted to select in the first round. Most believed Dallas would target a running back to replace DeMarco Murray. However, Jerry Jones like the idea of pairing Jones with Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick in the secondary and so far the early returns are that it is going to work out just fine.
"Aw, he's a freak athlete," safety Barry Church said. "He has tremendous hands. He never lets that ball bobble. I definitely see him out going up with the receivers for contested balls and bringing them down. He can jump with the best of them. He just seems like he's super athletic and willing to learn. I'm excited for him."
The same is being said about Gregory who fell to the second round despite having first-round talent. Gregory was viewed as the best pass rusher available, but a failed drug test at the NFL scouting combine saw his stock fall. Now, Gregory is simply excited to prove doubters wrong in the upcoming season. Collins feels the same way. Gregory told the media that he will stay close with the offensive lineman after both players had to deal with issues in the draft.
"It will be big," Gregory said, via ESPN.com. "Definitely a guy I will stay close to. I don't think it's a mistake that my locker is next to Dez Bryant. It's good to surround me with good guys. That's what I wanted. That's what I needed. And I think I think that's what they wanted for me."
Jerry Jones continues to stress his confidence in the team Dallas has built. He is not ready to predict a Super Bowl like quarterback Tony Romo did, but he believes the roster is made to win. Jones continues to speak highly of the team's run game. After Dallas let Murray walk and failed to draft a potential star, several NFL analysts believed that would be an area of struggle for the Cowboys. However, Jones believes that with Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle and Ryan Williams on the roster, the owner thinks the run game could be the best ever.
"When you say the entire running game -- and that would be including our tight ends, including fullbacks, the entire game -- we're better. We're better," Jones said, via NFL.com. "Murray certainly is in that thought, but what we've got a chance to do with our depth, what we've got a chance to do with the talent, the competition that we have, and I'm assuming that we can protect (Tony) Romo, which standing here last year, the concerns about his surgeries were more so than today."