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The Cowboys will have the 23rd pick in the first round of April's draft, unless they decide to trade up or down.

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What do they need?

Offensive line would be at the top of the chart, but this is a team that has not picked an offensive lineman in the first round since 1981. The only draft pick this century currently starting on the line is center Andre Gurode, and he will be a free agent. His backup, Al Johnson, a second rounder in 2003, is also a free agent to be.

While Bill Parcells likes the potential of some of the younger linemen, such as guard Cory Procter and tackle Pat McQuistan, a seventh-round pick in 2006, the Cowboys have not drafted well along the line.

Since Parcells' arrival, the Cowboys have had more successful drafts, starting with Terence Newman, Jason Witten and Bradie James in '03, Julius Jones in '04, DeMarcus Ware, Marion Barber, Marcus Spears and Chris Canty in '05 and Bobby Carpenter, who came on late in his rookie season.

E-mail tarcher@dallasnews.com