Draft History: 2003

IRVING – The Cowboys continued to shape their roster in coach Bill Parcells' image Sunday on the final day of the NFL draft.

Dallas drafted four players and traded for another as it tried to improve its special teams and add depth at several positions.

The Cowboys drafted LSU linebacker Bradie James (fourth round), Wisconsin cornerback B.J. Tucker (sixth round), Hampton receiver Zuriel Smith (sixth round) and Colorado guard Justin Bates (seventh round). They traded their second seventh-round pick, the 236th selection overall, to Detroit for second-year running back Aveion Cason. Offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon coached Cason in Detroit.

All but one of the Cowboys' draft picks were productive players from Division I schools in high-profile conferences.

On paper, the Cowboys had what appears to be a good draft for the second consecutive season. Owner/general manager Jerry Jones said each of their first four picks should be immediate contributors this season. Cornerback Terence Newman and center Al Johnson are expected to start Sept. 9 against Atlanta.

"We ought to be drafting well when we're up near the top, but I don't like it here," Jones said. "The first four players we drafted should be in the mix and playing a lot of plays for us. If they're not, that would be disappointing."

James (6-2, 242 pounds) was clearly the best player of Day 2.

He's a big, physical linebacker who had 154 tackles as a senior and 418 in his career. He's an active player who fits the mold of the linebackers Parcells had when he won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.

On Saturday, the Cowboys attempted to move up to the bottom of the third round to acquire James, but they couldn't work out a deal with Oakland.

James will provide depth at all three linebacker positions, though he will start out behind Dexter Coakley on the weak side. Jones said the Cowboys have already discussed using James in some packages that take advantage of his size and speed.

The Cowboys spent the rest of the draft trying to improve their special teams.

Tucker, who has 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash, will probably have to make a strong contribution on special teams to make the team because he's inexperienced and Dallas has significantly upgraded its secondary.

Smith averaged 18.1 yards a punt return over his last two seasons, returning five four touchdowns. He doesn't have exceptional size (6-2, 180 pounds) or speed (4.5 in the 40-yard dash), but he has good quickness and excellent vision that make him an outstanding punt returner.

Newman and Joey Galloway are outstanding punt returners, but the Cowboys might prefer to have a player like Smith or Reggie Swinton return punts because they're not starters.

Bates will provide depth on the offensive line.

"I'm particularly impressed with Bill and his approach and his flexibility," Jones said. "His idea of taking a team and building it has a lot to do with the hand he's dealt – and not so much his perfect vision of a team. It's not about big linebackers or the 3-4 defense. He wants to build the team around the talent and skill that we have, and that's what we've seen."