The Cowboys clearly had a draft strategy heading into Saturday and Sunday – score talented impact players on day one and pick players to add depth to thin positions on day two.  Dallas did just that, by drafting six legitimate players, and doing so by trading up and down and all around.  At the end of the draft, the only position the Cowboys didn’t manage to upgrade on was wide receiver, a position that isn’t exactly getting any younger. 

However, the Cowboys did manage to walk out of the draft with key players.

Jerry Jones and the ‘Boys decided to take Felix Jones instead of Rashard Mendenhall with the 22nd pick in the draft, a move that many saw as a mistake.  Jones, however, felt that Felix would give the team that certain “wow” that is currently lacking.  Jones also gives the team an explosive and exciting return man.

When asked about the decision to take Felix Jones instead of Mendenhall, Jerry Jones stated, “We had both right there. We debated. We viewed the dynamic of having two backs that you think might be able to carry the ball 25 times, Barber in my mind, gave us the luxury of being able to have some of the things that a back that you don't think of carrying the ball 25 times in Jones, have.” Jones went on to say, “With Barber, that allowed me to think about Felix and his exceptional running ability and the things he can do in the return game and catching the ball."

What really sold the owner on Felix was his “wow”. 

"Felix Jones is some wow - it really is.  If you assume that Barber can be what we think he is, then Felix Jones is a wow part of this thing. And that's a consensus among our staff and our team,” Jones stated. 

The Cowboys also traded up three spots with the Seahawks instead of waiting until the 28th pick to select Mike Jenkins.  The ‘Boys wanted to assure themselves he wasn’t selected before there pick and took him at number 25 overall instead. 

Jenkins, who was surprised by the pick because he didn’t think Dallas had much interest in him, will solidify the cornerback position which now includes Terrance Newman, Anthony Henry, and newly signed Pacman Jones.

After trading away Fasano and Ayodele to the Dolphins for a fourth round pick, the Cowboys felt they needed to find a solid tight-end to add to the roster.  In the second round they drafted well-rounded Martellus Bennett from Texas A&M, who is one of the most complete tight ends in the draft.
The Cowboys chose not to draft any wide receivers on day two of the draft, but instead took another RB in the fourth round (Tashard Choice), added another CB in the fifth round (Orlando Scandrick), and ended the day by taking DE Erik Walden. 

Choice led the ACC in rushing in 2006 and 2007 while attending Georgia Tech, and Scandrick adds a boost of speed to the cornerback position.  The corner from Boise State ran a 4.32 40-time.

Dallas also added a couple extra picks to next year’s draft by completing draft day trades, and they now have an extra third and an extra fourth round pick in the 2009 draft. 

Draft Recap Press Conference Here

Quick Notes
                The Cowboys will now focus on looking at and signing undrafted rookie free-agents. Dallas will hope to sign around 15 players who went undrafted and give them a chance to compete for a roster spot. This upcoming weekend at Valley Ranch the Cowboys will host a rookie mini-camp comprised of about 25-30 rookies. It will consist of two practices on both Saturday and Sunday.