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Final Part - Onward to NFL Draft 2005: Day 1 Scenarios and Other Positional Needs

So Draft Day is upon us, its clear the Cowboys top three priorities in this draft should be DE, LB, and Safety. These three picks need to be sure shot starters, the talent level for these three guys needs to be a virtual sure thing if we plan on fill the voids on defense, anything less will be detrimental to the team. Even if we trade down picks and pick up some more 3rds or another 2nd at best, we'll take a stab at what the first three picks could be.

3 Picks to Dominance
1. Shawne Merriman 2. Marcus Spears 3. Pool/Bullocks
1. Derrick Johnson 2. Justin Tuck 3. Pool/Bullocks
1. DeMarcus Ware 2. Marcus Spears 3. Pool/Bullocks
1. Shawne Merriman 2. Darryl Blackstock 3. Pool/Bullocks
*1. Marcus Spears 2. DeMarcus Ware 3. Blackstock/Burnett

Spears Factor
Why the interest in Marcus Spears, he's not a speed pass rusher, isn't that what we need? Well, maybe Spears in not a pure speed rusher, but Spears can get to the QB, he's big and strong, his technique is well rounded enough to cause havoc. The reason you may see Spears drafted is because he is really the only DE that has the size and skills to play in either a 4-3 and 3-4 with success in BOTH alignments. If you want a good front in a 3-4 you want size and power, Spears fills these requirements. In the 4-3, he's your rusher, and your run stuffer at the sametime. Also, don't be surprised if Spears is the Cowboys target with either the 1st or 2nd first rounder. If you look at our last Scenario* you'll see Spears go first, then Ware, then Blackstock or Burnett, this screams 3-4 all the way home, and man, would that be brutal - you want 3-4, this scenario will get you there, throw in the other LBs we have and the LB core is deep. Watch the Spears pick.

Other Positional Needs
Predicting the draft is almost impossible to predict, so while we think it could be defense all the way with our 1st three picks don't be shocked at all if we take a shot at a WR or OT. Also, somewhere in this draft we need a solid backup RB, and even another DT would be good for depth purposes and more. Here are some other prospects the Cowboys may be looking at:

Wide Receivers
• Mike Williams - USC - 6'4'' 230 4.58/40 (Early 1st, unlikely pick, but possible if he falls)
• Troy Williamson - S.Carolina - 6'1'' 205 4.32/40 (possible pick mid 1st+)
• Roddy White - UAB - 6'1'' 204 4.45/40 (late 1st early 2nd rounder)
• Terrence Murphy - Texas A&M - 6'1'' 202 4.39/40 (2nd rounder)
• Brandon Jones - Oklahoma - 6'1'' - 208 4.45/40 (3rd-4th rounder)
• Craig Bragg - UCLA - 6'1'' 200 - 4.50/40 (4th rounder)
• J.R. Russell - Louisville - 6'3'' 206 4.56/40 (4th rounder)

Offensive Tackles
• Alex Barron - FSU - 6'7'' 320 4.83/40 (early 1st rounder)
• Khalif Barnes - Washington - 6'6'' 305 4.92/40 (mid 1st rounder)
• Jammal Brown - Oklahoma - 6'6'' 316 5.03/40 ( mid 1st rounder+)
• Adam Terry - Syracuse - 6'6'' 330 5.37/40 (2nd rounder)
• Michael Munoz - Tennessee - 6'5'' 305 5.30/40 (3rd rounder)
• David Stewart - Ole Miss - 6'6'' 325 318 5.25/40 (4th rounder)
• Adam Synder - Oregon - 6'5'' 316 5.04/40 (4th-5th rounder)

Running Backs
• Ciatrick Fason - Florida - 6'1'' 209 4.57/40 (2nd rounder)
• J.J. Arrington - California - 5'9'' 214 4.40/40 (2nd-3rd rounder)
• Ryan Moats - Louisana Tech - 5'10'' 210 4.46/40 (3rd rounder)
• Eric Shelton - Louisville - 6'2'' 245 4.53/40 (3rd rounder)
• Cedric Houston - Tennessee - 5'10'' 223 4.60/40 (4th rounder)
• Darren Sproles - Kansas St. - 5'7'' 187 4.47/40 (5th rounder)
• Maurice Clarett - Ohio St. - 5'11'' 236 4.67/40 (5th rounder)
• Alvin Pearman - Virginia - 5'9'' 205 4.54/40 (6th rounder)

Defensive Tackles
• Travis Johnson - FSU - 6'4'' 296 4.90/40 (mid 1st rounder+)
• Shaun Cody - USC - 6'4'' 292 5.03/40 (late 1st rounder)
• Jonathan Babineaux - Iowa - 6'2'' 286 4.87/40 (3rd rounder)
• C.J. Mosley - Missouri - 6'2'' 312 5.09/40 (3rd rounder)
• Atiyyah Ellison - Missouri - 6'4'' 305 4.95/40 (4th rounder)