Column by TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News | tarcher@dallasnews.com
IRVING – If it’s the middle of February, then it is NFL Scouting Combine time, and the Cowboys will be holed up in Indianapolis through the weekend looking at the best prospects college football has to offer.
Most of them anyway. Some players always fall through the cracks.
It’s too early to say who the Cowboys will pick, but let’s take a look back at last year’s draft picks that ended up making the final roster, spent the year on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list or practice squad.
Overall, the Cowboys did not get much out of the class. Some of it was injury (three guys were out all year). Some of it was circumstance. Some of it was lack of ability.
LB Jason Williams, third round – No. 69 overall
Williams was inactive for 11 games as a rookie and did not record a tackle on defense. He had two special teams stops. A tremendous athlete, but he needs to get a better understanding of the game. His speed can help him overcome mistakes, but he struggled in his move to inside linebacker.
OT Robert Brewster, third round – No. 75 overall
Brewster suffered a torn pectoral muscle in workouts and did not play as a rookie. He was not expected to play much anyway, because he needed a lot of conditioning work. He still needs work, but his strength has improved. Can he become the swing tackle on gameday this year?
QB Stephen McGee, fourth round, No. 101 overall
A surprise pick by many because of what happened to him at Texas A&M, but the Cowboys like his makeup. He has a strong arm and can move around if plays break down. In the preseason, he would have to see a player open before delivering the ball, which is not uncommon for rookies. He needs to take a step this off-season to show the Cowboys he can be the backup to Tony Romo.
OLB Victor Butler, fourth round, No. 110 overall
He finished with three sacks in very limited playing time. He also had an important shoestring tackle of Donovan McNabb. He started one game when DeMarcus Ware suffered a neck injury, but he never earned the coaches’ trust to play that much. He has natural pass-rush ability but has to continue to pick up the nuances of playing outside linebacker in a 3-4.
OLB Brandon Williams, fifth round, No. 120 overall
He did not play as a rookie because of a torn ACL suffered in the preseason. He was part of the reason why the Cowboys felt comfortable in cutting Greg Ellis. Wade Phillips liked him early because of his ability to rush the passer. Like Butler, he has to get better at the outside linebacker spot, but he could be the guy to spell Ware and Anthony Spencer some in 2010. He should be ready to go all out when the OTAs begin.
S Mike Hamlin, fifth round, No. 166 overall
He was inactive for 10 games last year, but he had to wear a cast on his right wrist. Early in training camp, he showed some play-making skills, but the wrist injury set him back. Depending on what happens to Ken Hamlin this off-season, he could jump into the starting mix. The Cowboys remain high on his potential.
K David Buehler, fifth round, No. 172 overall
He led the NFL with 29 touchbacks, but he has to show he can stick in the league by becoming an accurate field goal kicker. He will get the best chance to win the job because they would prefer not to keep two kickers on the 53-man roster. He has a strong leg and is an excellent athlete. He did not take a lot of reps on field goals last year, so he needs to get to significant work in the off-season. Having Chris Boniol as a consultant should help him progress.
LB Stephen Hodge, sixth round, No. 197 overall
He spent the year on injured reserve after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee. The Cowboys have had success with players coming back from this type of surgery, so Hodge will have a chance to make the team. He’s extremely competitive, but he was a safety in college and moved to inside linebacker last year. The year off could hurt that transition. He has the chance to be a special teams player but could get caught in a numbers’ game.
TE John Phillips, sixth round, No. 208 overall
By the end of last season, he was taking turns as the No. 2 tight end behind Jason Witten. He is reliable and willing. He doesn’t make mental mistakes. He can play on the line as the move tight end and can line up as fullback. He can contribute on special teams. The question is how much better can he get? Has he reached his ceiling or is he close to it?
WR Manny Johnson, seventh round, No. 229 overall
Johnson did not do much during the off-season, training camp or preseason games. He lacked the suddenness you want from a receiver, but the year on the practice squad helped him get in better shape. By the end of the year, he was taking the scout team snaps as a punt returner. That tells you the team is trying to find another role for him in addition to wideout. He caught Jerry Jones’ eye by the end of the year and has the owner and GM excited about his potential.
