Dallas Cowboys News & Notes: What To Do With The 16th Pick?

Gosselin: Formula for winning in 'new' NFL could cause draft dilemma for Cowboys | Dallas Morning News
Gosselin argues that the winning formula in the NFL features three Ps: pass, protect and pressure. And this could cause problems for the Cowboys. Gosselin writes that the Cowboys' first, second and third priorities in the draft should be defensive linemen, but the difference makers there could be gone by pick No.16, and waiting until pick 47 to fortify the D-line isn't really an option.

The Cowboys have done their homework. They know Jadeveon Clowney, the best end in the draft, will be long gone by the time they go on the clock. Edge pass rushers Anthony Barr and Khalil Mack, a couple of athletic, speedy linebackers who are possible defensive end conversions, also figure to be gone.

Kony Ealy of Missouri and Scott Crichton of Oregon State are the next-best ends on the board, and Aaron Donald of Pitt and Timmy Jernigan of Florida State the best tackles. What if two or three of those players are gone as well?

Twitter mailbag: What to do with the 16th pick? - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Archer has a calm, collected take on what the Cowboys should do when they're on the clock:

Q: What is your move at 16 on Draft day?

Archer: "Here’s what I would do: If Aaron Donald is there, he’s my guy. If Donald is gone, but Anthony Barr is there, I take Barr. If no defensive linemen I believe is worthy of the No. 16 pick is available, then I hope like heck somebody wants to trade up. If nobody does, then I’m taking Zack Martin and I’ll be as happy with that pick as the Cowboys were last year when they got Travis Frederick. Seeing Taylor Lewan available at No. 16 in a few mocks is somewhat surprising and might make me re-think the Martin pick. The Cowboys must be prepared to stick at No. 16 and make a selection."

Kavner: Why Trading Up Would Not Surprise Me - Rowan Kavner, DallasCowboys.com
Kavner runs through a couple of scenarios in which the Cowboys coud trade up, but rules out that the Cowboys would move up more tha a few spots. Which would make the Rams' No. 13 a prime target for the Cowboys:

Another team that could be a contender for Donald is the Bears at 14, so a trade up to 13 just three spots ahead with the Rams, who already have the second pick in the draft, could be another possibility that wouldn’t be as costly if Donald, Barr or any of the other coveted prospects the Cowboys may deem worthy of trading up for are still on the board.

Tyron Will Be Long-Time Cowboy, But No Deal Yet - Mike Fisher, CBS DFW
The Dallas Cowboys will both exercise the fifth-year option for left tackle Tyron Smith and give him a long-term deal designed to make the budding star a Cowboy for life, Mike Fisher writes and quotes Smith's agent Joe Panos:

"Somebody jumped the gun because those reports are premature," Smith’s agent Joe Panos told New School on 105.3 The Fan. "The extension will absolutely happen…but it hasn’t happened yet."

"Tyron is going to be a Cowboy." Panos said, "and he’s going to be for a long time."

Picking up Tyron Smith's 5th-year option allows Cowboys to shift focus to Dez Bryant's extension | Brandon George, DMNg News
Smith 5th-year option - and with it a fully guaranteed $10.039 million for 2015 - only takes effect on the first day of the 2015 league year, which leaves the Cowboys with plenty of time to work out a multi-year contract extension with Smith. And that's time the Cowboys can use to "focus all their attention on signing Dez Bryant to a long-term contract extension," writes George.

Henry Melton, bar owner settle lawsuit over assault claims - Blogging The Boys
Suit. Counter-suit. Settlement. Melton is still facing a criminal assault charge related to the dispute and a hearing is set for April 24.

Donald turns down New York invite for NFL Draft, only visited three teams | TribLIVE
Potential Cowboys draft pick Aaron Donald has decided not to attend the 2014 NFL Draft in New York City, preferring instead to spend the day with his family. More interestingly though: the article points out that Donald has limited his post-Combine visits to three teams – the Rams (pick No. 13), Steelers (No. 15) and Cowboys.

Appetite for disruption: Aaron Donald's best team fits - NFL.com
Bucky Brooks says 3-tech terror Aaron Donald was the most dominant defender he saw in college football last fall. Where will the highly decorated Pittsburgh product end up in next month's NFL draft? The Cowboys rank behind the Lions (No. 10 overall pick), Giants (No. 12), and Bears (No. 14). Notice how the Cowboys are the only team listed here that actually had Donald in for a visit? Research, Shmesearch.

Rod Marinelli takes over for Monte Kiffin as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, but the team's Tampa 2 scheme will remain the same. Thus, the Cowboys need to identify an active 3-tech to anchor the defensive line. While Henry Melton is the Cowboys' marquee free-agent acquisition, Dallas was able to sign him on what essentially amounts to a one-year "prove it" deal because he's coming off a season-ending ACL injury. Given the uncertainty there, Jerry Jones could target Donald as the explosive defender to build the defense around. Donald is capable of creating the kind of chaos the Cowboys' defense needs in order to contain the high-powered offenses in the NFC East.

2014 NFL draft position rankings: Top ten defensive ends | SI.com
There is Jadeveon Clowney, and then there is everyone else. Chris Burke ranks the other defensive ends in the top five as follows: 2. Dee Ford, 3. Kony Ealy, 4. Scott Crichton, 5. Trent Murphy.

Gil Brandt's top 50 prospects for the 2014 NFL Draft - NFL.com
Gil Brandt lists his top 50 prospects for the 2014 draft. Of interest for the Cowboys, in order: Anthony Barr (10), Zack Martin (14), Aaron Donald (17), Ryan Shazier (19), Kony Ealy (22).

NFL Draft Profile: Calfornia DT Deandre Coleman | CSN Chicago
Every time you look up a draft prospect the Cowboys are interested in, you'll find the Bears also sniffing around. Read this summary and mentally replace "Bears" with "Cowboys":

Although scouts believe Coleman is better suited to play defensive tackle, he's durable, versatile, and experienced, who can play any position on the defensive line—he appeared in 37 games over the past three seasons. The Bears could certainly use a durable player who can be plugged into any defensive format, especially to a defense that was plagued with injuries a year ago.

Donovan McNabb Mugshot | TMZ.com
TMZ writes that Mcnabb served one day in jail stemming from a DUI arrest back in January and provide an appropriate mugshot. Vikings fans dispute the report and insist the original arrest was either for stealing money from the Minnesota Vikings, or impersonating an NFL quarterback. Perhaps even both.