Draft History: 1994

IRVING - There was a time when Super Bowl champions didn't really have needs when they entered the draft. That was before free agency.

The Cowboys have lost seven of the 34 players who started at least one game in 1993, not to mention kicker Eddie Murray. So this year's draft had to be a need-filling experience for Dallas in addition to a new one, with owner Jerry Jones calling the shots.

Although the attempt to trade Alvin Harper to land a top pass rusher fell through, the Cowboys did address specific needs with their seven selections.

"We wanted a pass rusher and we got one," said Jones, referring to first-round pick Shante Carver of Arizona State. "We were obviously looking to get some young offensive linemen. We did that."

Dallas picked guard Larry Allen of Sonoma State in the second round and tackle George Hegamin of North Carolina State in the third. Allen's the little guy at 325 pounds. Hegamin weighs 359.

"The days are over when you can have veterans sitting there for your seventh or eighth offensive linemen," Jones said. "And we addressed what would have been a big need by not trading Alvin Harper. If this draft says anything from my perspective, it's that '94 is where we should be doing everything we can to get back to another Super Bowl.

"I'm pleased. But today I don't know of anyone in the NFL who's not pleased."

The Cowboys made a surprising trade Monday, sending a fourth-round pick in 1995 to the Los Angeles Rams to get the 30th choice in the sixth round. Dallas used that pick on Darren Studstill of West Virginia, who played quarterback in college and projects as a defensive back in the NFL.

Coach Barry Switzer said he knew there would be jokes about him drafting an option quarterback.

"I saw (ESPN's) Mike Gottfried saying that we'd picked him up to run the option on those two-point conversion plays," said Switzer. "I hadn't even thought about that. Butch Davis recruited him for Miami, and because of (Studstill's) athletic skills, it will allow him to compete back there in the defensive backfield.

The Cowboys also made two fourth-round selections Monday: wide receiver Willie Jackson of Florida and linebacker Dewayne Dotson of Mississippi. They completed their draft with the seventh-round selection of Florida State defensive tackle Toddrick McIntosh, who played at Richardson Berkner.

Dallas intends to sign at least two free-agent kickers, although the Cowboys are more likely to find Eddie Murray's replacement late this summer when cuts are made, not early in the spring.

Beyond resigning key free agents, including center Mark Stepnoski, that leaves the search for a backup quarterback as a high priority. Veterans expected to be at the top of the Cowboys' list: Atlanta's Billy Joe Tolliver, Minnesota's Sean Salisbury, Phoenix's Chris Chandler and Detroit's Rodney Peete.

"Other than signing our own players, kicker and backup quarterback would be our top priorities," said Jones.

At least their needs aren't as substantial as they were 48 hours ago.