The Dallas Cowboys' defense in 2013 was historically bad. Almost every position on defense is in need of an upgrade, and Dallas does not have a lot of money to fill those needs. That said, the Cowboys will be drafting a few defensive starters in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Cowboys need to hit on this draft because their chips are all-in for a Super Bowl. All of us know Dallas isn't close to contending, but Jerry Jones doesn't see that. With the horrid play of Doug Free at the end of the 2013 season, the Cowboys could also be in the market for an offensive tackle. Dallas' first three picks in this year's draft will likely all be starters on day one, that's how thin they truly are. Here are five potential prospects the Cowboys might draft in this year's draft.
5. Zack Martin, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
I said how the Cowboys have interest in a tackle. By drafting a tackle, Free would most likely be converted to a guard. Zack Martin is perhaps the third-best tackle prospect in this draft behind Jake Matthews and Greg Robinson. Something to know about Martin is that he shows the ability to play guard, which is something offensive line coach Bill Callahan will love. Martin is athletic enough to get around the edge and he has the strength to hold it down in the passing game.
4. Calvin Pryor, Free Safety, Louisville
If it were up to me, I wouldn't draft a free safety. In mock drafts across the web, Calvin Pryor has been linked to the Cowboys because of their need of a free safety. Dallas invested a third-round pick in J.J. Wilcox in the 2013 NFL Draft, and he played well before his concussion injury. Wilcox also missed a portion of training camp because he went home to be with his ailing mother. Given the nature of Dallas' defense in 2013, any safety would have trouble on this defense. Last season, the Cowboys did not get a lot of pressure on the quarterback, and that took a toll on their defense as a whole. It would be unfair to write off Wilcox after just one season.
3. Scott Crichton, Defensive End, Oregon State
Scott Crichton is an intriguing player because he possesses the combination of speed and explosiveness that NFL teams love. If Dallas trades down, which is likely given all of their needs, Crichton would be available in the back end of the first round. In my opinion, Crichton is the best edge pass rusher not named Jadeveon Clowney, and he would be a solid player in Dallas. Rod Marinelli is a defensive line guru, and he would make Crichton an even better player.
2. Anthony Barr, Defensive End, UCLA
Despite being a bit undersized, Anthony Barr has been linked recently to the Cowboys. Barr is only 6'5", 255 pounds, but if you put him in space against a less athletic tackle, he will do a ton of damage. The Cowboys brought Barr in for a pre-draft visit, and Marinelli said how he views Barr as a 4-3 defensive end. That is a position of need for the Cowboys, and if Marinelli says Barr is the best defensive end, it wouldn't surprise me to see Barr wearing a star on his helmet in the upcoming season.
1. Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh
Ever since the Senior Bowl, Aaron Donald has been the "consensus" pick for the Cowboys. He is the "quick-twitch" defensive tackle that Dallas is looking for, and he could very well be available in the middle of the draft. Even after the signing of Henry Melton in free agency, the Cowboys are still looking to upgrade the middle of their defensive line. Just thinking of the combination of Melton and Donald is frightening. This duo could cause havoc for years to come. Having two talented defensive tackles makes it harder for offensive lines to block defensive ends too. Despite the signing of Melton, don't count out the Cowboys drafting a defensive tackle like Donald.