In grading the 2011 NFL Draft, general opinion has the Cowboys falling somewhere in the middle of the pack, somewhere between the strong (Lions) and the not-so-strong (Vikings).
Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones believes that the team addressed some of its more pressing needs over the weekend, and perhaps as importantly, drafted players that will make an impact immediately--or, at least, whenever football starts back up again.
"These picks really do go right to areas that we're pretty satisfied that we're improving our team, in terms of need and in terms of ... this upcoming year," Jones said, per the Dallas Morning News.
In drafting USC tackle Tyron Smith in the first round, the Cowboys indeed addressed a major need. But aside from the selection of Buffalo cornerback Josh Thomas in the fifth round, the team failed to shore up the secondary through the draft--probably the team's second most pressing need--causing some to wonder if the team will look to free agency for help in that area. Whenever free agency begins, that is.
"I think it was more about taking the circumstances of the draft," Jones said. "I think it's more about what these players are than about we weren't looking at other positions.
"It was more a preference of pinpointing these guys."
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