SPORTSDAY

A special thanks goes out to JJT for sticking up for the truth, and clearing up any confusion created by the hard-of-hearing Timmy Tabloid.

But his won't be the final word on Darren McFadden. We have more, much more from him today. And I know he's been a bit of a lightning rod on Cowboys Blog, so I'll provide you with some of that material here.

McFadden, of course, hasn't had the chance to interview with any teams yet, since the only opportunity to would've been at the Senior Bowl, which he wasn't eligible for (being a junior and all.) One of the interesting things D-Mac had to say actually came from just that -- his class standing -- when he was asked if there were any regrets he had in leaving Fayetteville a year early.

"The Heisman Trophy," McFadden said. "That’s the only thing. I felt like I did everything I could to win a Heisman. But the only thing I could do was play ball, let the voters take care of everything else."

Just so there's no misinterpretation. Here's what Darren McFadden actually said this morning as I stood five feet away, "My intention is to run at the combine, but no final decision has been made."
That should clear up any ambiguity.

Apparently, Timmy Tabloid wasn't listening when I was on the phone with him this morning. Maybe he was too wrapped in the latest issue of OK! magazine or trolling perezhilton.com or something.

Whatever the case may be, Darren McFadden did not say he would not run at the combine. He said, in fact, that he wants to.

But he says he simply hasn't decided yet on whether that's best yet or not.

After his morning workout at the Michael Johnson Performance Center, Arkansas RB Darren McFadden met with the press, and detailed the one and only face-to-face meeting he had with fellow Hog Jerry Jones.

It was at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December in Orlando, and McFadden left both impressed with and with an impression from Jones.

"He’s a great guy," McFadden said. "I feel like if he had it his way, he would pick me and have me as a running back for him. But the draft works funny."

Rumors have had just that happening -- with Jones supposedly ready to pay a king's ransom to position the Cowboys to take McFadden.

"I’ve heard so many rumors about what’s going on with the draft, I just try not to pay attention to any of it anymore," McFadden said. "You have to block it out, because if you don’t, it’ll take control of you, getting caught up in where you want to go and where you think you should go. You try to block it out and focus on getting better out here."

And McFadden added that he'd make the most of any situation he was put in.

Albert "Einstein" Breer called to breathlessly report that Arkansas RB Darren McFadden said he won't run at the scouting combine and hasn't decided whether he'll do any physical activities.

Einstein is spending the morning at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in McKinney. Former Denton Ryan star DT Derek Lokey, an All-Big 12 performer at Texas, headlines a group working out there with the track legend to prepare for the draft. McFadden and fellow Hogs RB Felix Jones are also there.

More from Einstein to come on the Michael Johnson experience.

Because I know everyone and their brother is interested in this year's cast of draft-eligible backs, here's a fairly off-common-perception take from the NFL Network's Mike Mayock. He ranks the top tailbacks available and Arkansas dynamo Darren McFadden is not on top.

Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall is, and readers of this blog know well how much I think of the kid, even if he did torch my Buckeyes. So yes, I'm on board with Mayock's idea that Mendenhall will be a more complete pro back, and more capable of carrying a running game than McFadden will be.

Here's Mayock's Top 5:

1. Mendenhall
2. McFadden
3. Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
4. Felix Jones, Arkansas
5. Chris Johnson, East Carolina

Follow the jump for an update (3:25 p.m.), with Mayock's top 20 players overall, a list McFadden doesn't make.

Hall of Fame scribe Rick "Goose" Gosselin mentioned Kansas State's Jordy Nelson as a guy to keep an eye on while talking about the top receivers in the draft on The Ticket's Norm Hitzges Show yesterday.

Nelson is a former walk-on who put up spectacular stats last season -- 122 catches for 1,606 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has excellent size (6-2, 213) and sure looks fast torching first-round lock CB Aqib Talib (see above YouTube).

Follow the jump for YouTube highlights from the first half of Nelson's senior season. Warning: Several of the highlights will bring up bad memories for Texas fans.

The official stance on this here blog is that Jerry shouldn't trade the farm for the right to draft Arkansas RB Darren McFadden. But Jerry has my permission to set an NFL record for quickest pick in the first round if McFadden falls to No. 22.

Hey, it could happen if GMs listen to NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock. McFadden is missing from Mayock's list of the top 10 players in the draft, which is topped by Boston College QB Matt Ryan.

"I don't touch Darren McFadden in the first 20 picks of the draft," Mayock said.

Also of note from a Cowboys perspective: Troy's Leodis McKelvin, ranked No. 10, was the only cornerback to crack Mayock's list. Good luck getting a consensus opinion on the first-round cornerbacks. I've seen McKelvin, Kansas' Aqib Talib of Richardson Berkner and South Florida's Mike Jenkins all ranked by respected draft experts as the best player at the position.

ESPN's Todd McShay has his latest mock draft up (Insider subscription required), and he's got Cowboys owner GM/owner grabbing an Arkansas running back in the first round.

No, not that one. It's Felix Jones here. McShay projects that selection at 28, with Dallas taking USC tackle Sam Baker at 22. Here's what the ESPN draft guru says about the Cowboys taking Arkansas' "other" tailback:

If owner Jerry Jones can't strike a deal for McFadden, he could settle for Arkansas' other first-round running back prospect. Felix Jones is a speedster who could complement current Dallas RB Marion Barber well and provide a home run threat in the return game.

McShay has BC QB Matt Ryan (Dolphins), Virginia DE Chris Long (Rams), Arkansas RB Darren McFadden (Falcons), LSU DT Glenn Dorsey (Raiders) and Michigan OT Jake Long (Chiefs) going 1-5.

As part of my never-ending quest to give Jerry good advice (like don't trade up for Darren McFadden), I did some research on running backs picked in the 20s. In other words, what caliber of back typically gets taken in the range of the Cowboys' two first-rounders?

The answer: pretty good ones. Follow the jump for proof.

There's speculation that the Cowboys will trade their two first-round picks and Marion Barber to the Dolphins for the No. 1 pick and draft the great Darren McFadden.

Listen to me. Please.

Not going to happen.

Yes, the Cowboys love McFadden, but the 2008 draft is rich with running back talent. Dallas has needs at wide receiver, secondary and defensive line. A good running back will be there late in the first round.

Besides, why trade Barber? He is everything the Cowboys want right now.

So, please let's stop the madness on trading with the Dolphins for the No. 1 pick. And if the Cowboys do move up in the top 10, I'd rather take LSU defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey or Virginia's Chris Long before McFadden.

So says superstar columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor in this week's newsletter.

This would be the dumbest move Jones has ever made in 19 years of owning the Cowboys.

Worse than the feud with Jimmy Johnson that led to the coach’s departure. Worse than trading a pair of No. 1 picks to Seattle for Joey Galloway. And worse than wasting millions on Chad Hutchinson and Drew Henson in hopes one of them would become the next Troy Aikman.

JJT goes on to list several reasons why the trade doesn't make sense. But can't you just imagine Jerry getting all starry-eyed while watching D-Mac highlights?

So says Sports Illustrated's Peter King, who offered some unsolicited advice to Jerry in this week's edition of Monday Morning Quarterback.

Don't even consider making such a foolish trade. That's right. It's foolish. Never, ever, ever, ever pay a ransom for a running back. They're too plentiful and too easy to find down the line, and too easy to make a mistake picking. As the Bears have proven (Curtis Enis, Rashaan Salaam, Cedric Benson in the first round between 1995 and 2005), picking backs is a dartboard science.

In the last two years, eight backs drafted after the first round have gained 1,200 yards -- Frank Gore, Tiki Barber, Willie Parker, Rudi Johnson, Brian Westbrook, Chester Taylor, Travis Henry and Clinton Portis. The Giants picked up Ryan Grant off the street, and he just helped win a playoff game for Green Bay against Seattle.

And to think of including restricted free-agent Marion Barber III in the deal ... lunacy. Pure and simple. Barber's a top-10 NFL running back right now (the only reason he might not be in the top five is he hasn't proven he can carry it 20 times a game every week; he's had 339 carries over the past two years). Under no circumstances should he be dealt. If I'm Bill Parcells and can give you the first pick in the draft for Barber and first- and second-round picks, I make that trade this morning.

I couldn't agree more.

Despite Albert "Einstein" Breer's invitation to join him in the Senior Bowl live blogfest, the college football all-star game got second-TV, no-sound status in the MacMahonor living room while I watched Big 12 hoops Saturday. But I saw enough of the Senior Bowl to be intrigued by Tennessee State CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

NFL Network draft guru Mike Maycock included Rodgers-Cromartie in his list of nine players whose stock depended on their Senior Bowl performance.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State (CB): Small-school corner with big-time skills. ... Tall, lean CB with long arms, excellent ball skills and natural change-of-direction skills. Rodgers-Cromartie must show that he is physical enough to compete against quality WRs at the highest level.

I would think that Rodgers-Cromartie boosted his stock as much as any player in Mobile. By all accounts, Antonio Cromartie's cousin had an outstanding week of practice. He capped the week with a spectacular performance. His leaping interception was highlight-reel material, but scouts were probably more impressed with his sound tackling, especially a big stick on 6-3, 225-pound Oklahoma State WR Adarius Bowman.

I’m on record, and I’ll say it again: I would not be on board with the Cowboys putting together a monster package to trade up and get Arkansas superstar Darren McFadden.

But there’s history that, in a roundabout way, backs that kind of deal. Most people frequenting Cowboys Blog, I figure, would consider Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith the two greatest tailbacks in club history. I’ll bet I can even get Cowboys historian Timmy Tabloid to agree with that.

So what do Dorsett and Smith have in common? They both came to Dallas as a result of draft-day trade-ups that, in hindsight, look about as lopsided as a 1980s Super Bowl.

The lesson here would be that if you believe a player is going to be that special, you do what it takes. I don’t think McFadden will wind up having a career like those Dallas legends. But I will say that if Jerry Jones and Co. are fairly certain that he’ll be that kind of back, then they should pull the trigger. Again, I would NOT be on board with the move.

Follow the jump to see proof positive that the deal could be worth making.

While I don't think trading up for Darren McFadden is a good idea for the Cowboys, it's not too tough to make a case for such a deal.

Forget about Miami's reported request for Marion "The Barbarian" Barber to be part of the package. The Cowboys might be able to land McFadden by moving up to No. 4. A reasonable offer to the Raiders would be this year's two first-rounders and next year's No. 1.

Too much? Not if you look at Jerry's history with picks in the latter half of the first round.

Would you give up Bobby Carpenter, Marcus Spears and Anthony Spencer for a gamebreaking running back? Those are the Cowboys' last three picks in the late teens-twenties range. We're talking about a good special teamer, a J.A.G. DE and a promising OLB prospect.

The other post-Jimmy era late first-rounders are DE Ebenezer Ekuban, TE David LaFleur and DE Shante Carver. Yuck.

Combine Jerry's lust for his fellow Hog with his lack of confidence in his ability draft a good player in the twenties, and you can at least understand his logic in trying to trade up for McFadden.

Now that this one's in the books, here are six guys I came out of this game liking (in alphabetical order):

1) QB Erik Ainge, Tennessee: I liked his poise in leading the team down the field on that game-winning drive. But even before that, he was showing great poise in the pocket, and the arm strength to get ball around from back there.

2) RB Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech: Thought he ran tough, showed some wiggle and can catch the ball down the field. He could be a good get for the Cowboys if he slips a little.

3) DT Sedrick Ellis, Southern California: This one's obvious. He's absolutely dominant, and seems like he'd be a perfect nose tackle in a Wade Phillips 3-4. Too bad there's no one way he's even close to available.

4) RB Matt Forte, Tulane: A big-numbers guy who seemed like he belonged playing with guys from the big powers. What I like about him is how many different things it looks he can do -- good between the tackles and on the edge as a receiver alike.

5) WR Lavelle Hawkins, Cal: This kid looks like he moves with quickness, gets in and out of his breaks, tracks the ball well in the air, and catches the ball with his hands. Plus, he's got return ability to boot.

6) CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State: Long, rangy, athletic, and he looks like a football player the way he hits and goes after the ball. I think he'll be a first-rounder.

In my opinion, Erik Ainge and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would be the offensive and defensive players of the game for the South. And Andre Caldwell, of course, scores the winning touchdown.

Here's why that's interesting. Ainge is the nephew of Celtics personnel boss and former NBA guard Danny Ainge. Rodgers-Cromartie has a cousin, Antonio Cromartie, who's an All-Pro corner. And Caldwell's older brother is Redskins receiver Reche Caldwell.

For whatever that's worth.

I never thought it'd be this exciting watching one of these all-star games, which are usually just glorified tryouts for the pros.

Andre Caldwell, the little brother of Redskins receiver Reche Caldwell, just punched in the winning touchdown on an end-around. Unbelievable. I'll wrap things up here in a minute.

But man, was I right on Erik Ainge!

He looks really good moving the team down the field here, sitting comfortably in the pocket and picking the defense apart.

Looks like that's what the Senior Bowl is becoming.

I think we'll learn some things about Erik Ainge on this drive ... Whoops, it's already third-and-9.

We're waiting to see who the MVP is. And for those who aren't watching on TV, here's the graphic they showed on who the past few were:

2007: RB Tony Hunt, Penn State/Eagles
2006: WR Sinorice Moss, Miami/Giants
2005: QB Charlie Frye, Akron/Seahawks
2004: QB Philip Rivers, NC State/Chargers
2003: RB Larry Johnson, Penn State/Chiefs
2002: QB/WR Antwaan Randle El, Indiana/Redskins
2001: RB LaDainian Tomlinson Texas Christian/Chargers

I know pumping up an Arkansas kid is probably not what you guys are looking for -- considering that Jerry might overvalue a Hog or two -- but fullback Peyton Hillis looks intriguing.

For one thing, it looks like he can block, which is the most important thing at his position. And while he lacks burst or speed, Hillis does look like he can grind out a yard or two in long yardage.

Now if I could see him as a receiver, we could figure out whether he's worth a draft pick or not.

Finally, Chauncey Washington's showing me something. He was one of the guys I was keeping an eye on and early on, he disappointed, showing disinterest in being a lead blocker and looking a little lost as a receiver.

But his running ability was on display there. He can really make guys miss for a big back, and turned the corner on the defense to set the North up for a score there. He's got character and injury issues, but there's talent there.

By the way, and this is crazy, he was in the same SC recruiting class as Reggie Bush and LenDale White.

Danny Ainge's little nephew, Erik, looks like an NFL quarterback now, moreso than any of the other guys, for my money.

Why? Ainge looks comfortable standing in and making throws from a closed-in area. Plus, mechinically, with his footwork and release, he looks better than the others.

Of course, you do have a bunch of guys from spread systems out there, so that's part of it.

Is the way it brings about additions to the English language.

The NFL Network's Mike Mayock just commented Wake Forest DE Jeremy Thompson's "Verticality" when he when up to bat a pass down in coverage. That, by the way, has to do with his ability to jump.

By the way, Cowboys Blog remains a big fan of Mayock's work. But that one was just too easy.

DeJuan Tribble, again, showed his instincts there in breaking on the ball -- and that's just what I've been talking about with him.

He's one of these kids who might drop because of measureables, but can really play. He's tough against the run and has a nose for the ball. And since the Cowboys don't play a ton of man, he might be a good fit in certain ways.

Keep an eye on him. If the Cowboys don't take a corner in the first round, and he's sitting there in the second round, he'd be a nice get.

But he's really not showing a lot of burst or that he can make guys miss.

I like the way Lavelle Hawkins has played better, as far as Cal guys go. The receiver, second-fiddle to DeSean Jackson in Berkeley, looks like he's pretty quick in short areas, catches the ball with his hands and has some return ability.

Could be a steal down the line in the draft.

I was excited to watch Leodis McKelvin, and for a while there, I was wondering where the heck he is.

Now we have the answer: He's got a pulled hamstring and isn't playing. Smart move by the kid. He's already helped his stock, and there's no need to go out there at less than 100 percent or risk re-injury.

We'll certainly learn more about him over the next few months anyway.

That's Sedrick Ellis, for all you who don't watch college football.

When the North hasn't doubled him, he's embarrassing people. He looks stronger than just about everyone else on the field, and quicker than anyone up front.

Of course, this is irrelevant to the Cowboys. Ellis will be long gone by the time they pick.

Told you I like this kid.

Watch Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's backpedal on that play, and how he reacts with the ball in the air and then gets body position on the receiver for the pick. Kid's a player. Maybe a first-rounder, too.

22nd or 28th overall, anyone?

So why has USC -- which probably has more talent than the All-Big 12 team -- slipped the last two years?

Three words: John. David. Booty. He's been wildly erratic, and we're seeing his bad side today. He's short-arming balls into the flat, throwing off balance, and making ridiculous decisions -- like tossing that one right into coverage for the pick.

I can't see how any NFL team would look at either him or Chad Henne before we're into the second day of the draft.

Maybe Trevor Laws is a guy to keep an eye on.

He's all over the place, and has played as a 3-4 end, under Notre Dame DC Corwin Brown. He could be a fit if Marcus Spears is jettisoned.

Haven't gotten a good read on McKelvin yet, but I've really taken a liking to Dominique Rogers-Cromartie.

In case you didn't know, he's the cousin of Chargers All-Pro corner Antonio Cromartie, and the two kind of look alike. For one thing, they're both long, rangy and athletic. And for another, this kid (out of Tennessee Tech), seems to have a similarly aggressive style.

That was a lick he put on Bowman from OK State there, on a 5-yard hitch. Keep an eye on that kid.

Boston College's DeJuan Tribble is one player who's stock has been falling that I think could be a steal early in the second round.

He's aggressive to the ball, tough and instinctive. Maybe he's not the best man cover guy out there.

But for the Cowboys' purposes, he might make some sense. In certain ways, he looks a little like the Vikings' Antoine Winfield to me.

Hawaii's Colt Brennan looked like an NFL quarterback tossing that dig route into a small window 20 yards downfield.

Still, Brennan doesn't look completely comfortable taking a traditional drop from center. And his play-action looks -- let's say -- rusty.

Man, he looked lost on that long run by the Arkansas fullback, and got trucked by Matt Forte on the next play.

I'll stand by my assertion that if he's playing in a 3-4 of the Parcells like, he'll be a kid who can get downhill, take on blocks and shed to the ball. He's not the greatest in pursuit, but in that type of system I think he'd be good.

Of course, getting flattened by the Tulane tailback doesn't help my case here.

Good job by Cal's Lavelle Hawkins of coming back to the ball there, and picking up the touchdown.

While we're on it, how was Cal not better? Hawkins can play. So can DeSean Jackson and Justin Forsett. I know they had quarterback problems with Nate Longshore.

But geez, there's just too much talent there -- they've been producing NFL linemen too -- to be going 6-6. Especially with Tedford as the coach.

Anyone else notice how Lane Kiffin's staff is outfitted in Raider gear, but the head coach himself is wearing a black Under Armour jacket?

For those of you don't know, several reports have Kiffin being asked to resign by Al Davis, and refusing to do so. And so it would make sense, then, that Coach Kiffin wouldn't be wearing the skull and crossbones.

The Michigan quarterback has always had a tendency to rush the ball out, and throw into passing lanes.

And what you know, we get both shortcomings in one three-and-out!

The Senior Bowl's about to start here, and if you can excited over this, then you really, really love football. Good for the blogosphere that I do.

Like a lot of you, I'm most curious to watch Troy corner Leodis McKelvin here. I've seen Mike Jenkins, Aqib Talib and some of the other top DBs play. But I'm in the dark on McKelvin.

I do know this: NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock is smitten with him. So I'll be looking to find out why. As always, feel free to shoot off at the keyboard with comments as we go through the afternoon.

It's Saturday, but no day off for Cowboys Blog.

Timmy's going to have our pick for Dallas' Offensive Player of the Year up soon. And I'll be watching the Senior Bowl intently, and throwing comments up during the game. Mr. Tabloid might even be prodded to join in.

For now, what I'd like for you to do is peruse the rosters for today's game in Mobile, and tell me who you want to hear more about. Hit the comments section up, and I'll keep an eye on the guys you mention.

Something to remember while checking out mock drafts for the next few months: The odds of the Cowboys staying at Nos. 22 and 28 are slim.

You won't find many, if any, GMs that love wheelin' and dealin' more than Jerry. Consider that the Cowboys have made a trade involving a first-round pick in 14 of 19 drafts since he bought the franchise.

Plus, Jerry is well aware that No. 22 is a cursed draft slot. He learned his lesson with David LaFleur and has traded down the last two times the Cowboys had the 22nd overall pick. (J.P. Losman and Brady Quinn haven't done anything to disprove my Curse of 22 Theory.)

With two first-rounders, the Cowboys have great flexibility for this draft. If the Bobby Carpenter and Marcus Spears trade rumors are true, they might get a couple more mid- or late-round picks with which to wheel and deal.

So feel free to get your hopes up for guys that aren't projected to be on the board in the twenties (other than Darren McFadden).

Our own Hall of Fame draft guru Rick "Goose" Gosselin has his evaluation of the 2007 draft class up, and he gave the Cowboys a "C" for their work last April.

Harsh? At the one-year turn, he's got good reason to be, but lightens up on the "D" he gave Dallas last spring.

Sixth-round kicker Nick Folk saved this draft class, kicking 26 field goals and finishing fourth in the NFL in scoring. LB Anthony Spencer and FB Deon Anderson combined for 10 starts, but that was it for the rest of this draft class.

One thing to keep in mind here is that this class was, in large part, "redshirted", so there's a big, fat incomplete hovering over it.

Add SI.com's Don Banks to the list of mock drafters who have the Cowboys taking Michigan WR Mario Manningham with their first pick. (Banks has Dallas drafting Arkansas RB/KR Felix Jones at No. 28.)

For your viewing pleasure, I put up a Manningham highlight reel from his sophomore season. Follow the jump for a YouTube of all his touches in Michigan's win over Florida in the Capital One Bowl, his final college game.

For what it's worth, I heard Jason Garrett mention on Michael Irvin's radio show yesterday that LSU WR Early Doucet was a guy who impressed him during Senior Bowl practices. Doucet is also projected to go in the 20s.

The Dolphins have declared that they are willing to deal the No. 1 overall pick.

"We're open for business," new Miami GM Jeff Ireland said.

Cowboy fans, cross your fingers that Jerry doesn't let his lust for Arkansas RB Darren McFadden cloud his judgment. Whether or not you think D-Mac will be a gamebreaker in the NFL, the Cowboys would have to give up way too much to move to the top of the draft.

According to Jimmy Johnson's draft-pick value chart, the No. 1 pick has a value of 3,000. Nos. 22 (780) and 28 (660) don't even add up to half of that.

Jerry was kind enough to let Ireland go to Miami without seeking compensation. He's done enough for the Dolphins. No sense in letting Bill Parcells talk him into contributing a slew of draft picks to Miami's rebuilding efforts for the right to pick an RB who would split time here.

If there's one thing I know for certain, it's that it's never too early for mock drafts.

Anyone who follows this stuff like I do knows that the first projections for 2008 were out with the 2007 draft barely in the books, so saying it's too early for these is not knowing the times. And with that in mind, I thought we'd take a look at the early guesses from two of the best in the business, the ESPN duo of Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. (Insider subscription required).

Kiper has the Cowboys going all Big Ten on everyone with Michigan WR Mario Manningham and Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall plucked at 22 and 28 respectively. As most of you know, I watch a lot of Big Ten football, and while I'll tell you that while I'm a little lukewarm on Manningham (though the history of Michigan receivers in the pros is fairly strong with Braylon Edwards, Amani Toomer and Anthony Carter three big-time alums), I think Mendenhall is going to be an absolute stud. His computer numbers won't jump off the page, but the kid can really play.

McShay's mock, meanwhile, also has the Cowboys taking Manningham at 22, and then selecting Troy CB Leodis McKelvin (who I'm going to study up on) with their second pick. That seems more realistic than Timmy Tabloid's provincial pick of Aqib Talib -- anyone else notice how all three of his guys were Big 12 products that grew up in Texas? -- since the Kansas CB's gonna be long gone by the time Dallas picks. Kiper has him going seventh to the Patriots, and McShay slots him 15th to the Lions.

The Cowboys enter the off-season with three major needs: WR, CB and RB. In the interest of helping Jerry and Co. as much as possible, here are the players at each position I recommend targeting.

CB Aqib Talib (Kansas): The Richardson Berkner product is a big (6-2, 205) playmaking cornerback, as he showed with a pick six that was the key play in Kansas' Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech. He's a phenomenal athlete who Kansas occasionally used at receiver and might be able to contribute as a return man. He would be a huge upgrade over Jacques Reeves as the third corner and would ensure that the Cowboys have a cornerback with the size to match up with tall receivers long after Anthony Henry leaves Valley Ranch. I've seen him go everywhere from mid-first round to No. 31 in mock drafts. He'd be worth trading up a few spots from No. 22.

WR Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma): His tendency to disappear for stretches is troubling, but the 6-4, 219-pound Longview native has a T.O.-like blend of size and athleticism. He'd give the Cowboys the deep threat they need to complement T.O., and he's a prospect that could eventually replace the Original 81 as Tony Romo's favorite target. Snatch him up if he slips to No. 28.

RB Jamaal Charles (Texas): There are doubts that the 6-1, 205-pound Charles will be durable enough to be an NFL feature back, but the Cowboys aren't looking for a 20-carry-per-game guy. They need a breakaway threat to serve as a change of pace to Marion "The Barbarian" Barber's punishing style. Charles, a Big 12 track star before he decided to focus on football, would definitely add big-play potential to an already explosive offense. The Port Arthur native would make a fine second-round pick.

Going into tomorrow without a rooting interest? We'll give you a team to pull for -- the Chargers. And it has nothing to do with Wade Phillips' connections to the San Diego lot, or any gratitude you might want to pay Norv Turner for building the Triplets Offense of the 1990s.

No, this one would be more selfish for Cowboys fans. This one's to help the team's draft position out.

Here's the way it breaks down. Dallas is slotted ahead of the Colts, whose pick now belongs to the 49ers. No matter who wins the NFC Championship Game, the loser will draft ahead of the Cowboys and the winner will pick behind them.

But since the Patriots have been stripped of their first-round pick, the AFC title game will affect their draft position. If the Chargers win Sunday, they, the NFC champ and the 49ers will draft behind Dallas, meaning the Cowboys' slotted first-round pick will be 28th. If the Patriots win, however, then only the NFC Champion and the 49ers will select behind the Cowboys, meaning Dallas' pick will be 29th.

The first-round pick the Cowboys acquired from the Browns will be 22nd overall. Follow the jump to get the last 10 guys taken 28th and 29th overall.

ESPN is reporting that Arkansas RB Darren McFadden is declaring for the draft. In other stunning news, the sun will come up tomorrow.

Let's all hope D-Mac doesn't find any more trouble in piano bars between now and draft day.

Now that his beloved Hog is officially in, do you folks want Trader Jerry to package a bunch of picks (the two first-rounders won't be enough) to move up for McFadden? Jerry hasn't asked for my advice yet, but I'll give it anyway: Don't do it.

One overlooked thing this week, as it should be with the Giants game coming up, is that the slot of the Cowboys' first first-round pick was determined over the weekend.

The pick the team acquired from Cleveland last year will be 22nd overall. If the Redskins or Bucs had gone to the Super Bowl, it would've been 21st. Here's the tally from the Brady Quinn trade, as it stands now, and including the trade with Philly that packaged the 36th overall pick, reaped in the Cleveland trade, that allowed Dallas back into the first round.

BROWNS GET
2007 First-round pick (22nd overall): Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn

COWBOYS GET
2007 First-round pick (26th overall): Purdue DE/OLB Anthony Spencer
2008 First-round pick (22nd overall)

EAGLES GET
2007 Second-round pick (36th overall): Houston QB Kevin Kolb
2007 Third-round pick (87th overall): Nebraska OLB Stewart Bradley
2007 Fifth-round pick (159th overall): Clemson S C.J. Gaddis

According to my boys at NFL Draft Scout, Jamaal Charles is the seventh ranked running back of projected backs coming out for the 2008 draft.

Charles' 40 is 4.39 and his low 40 is 4.32, his high 40 is 4.43.

Do you guys believe Mr. Charles will be a 20-25 carry-per-game running back?

Or do you believe Mr. Charles won't have much of a career?

Jeff Ireland will be Miami's new general manager.

Ireland, 37, agreed to a deal with the Dolphins today after meeting with Bill Parcells for the last two days. Ireland has been the Cowboys' vice president of college and pro scouting since 2005, taking over for Larry Lacewell.

He and Parcells, the Dolphins' executive vice president of football operations, developed a tight bond in Parcells' time as Cowboys coach.

Saw a few Cowboys scouts in the Cotton Bowl press box, including college scouting coordinator.

If you want to overreact, consider that evidence that Jerry is hellbent on trading up for fellow Hog Darren McFadden. Or it could just be the Cowboys doing their due diligence by scouting a game in their backyard that features a bunch of NFL prospects.

On a self-promotional note, please join me on the colleges blog for a Mizzou-Arkansas lovefest.

Earlier in the day, I wrote that the Cowboys will have the 20th pick in the draft. That's wrong. It'll be 21st or 22nd.

Here's the discrepancy: I placed the Browns -- the non-playoff team with the best record -- at 20th, behind the 12 teams that made the playoffs. The Cleveland pick actually gets placed behind the two 9-7 playoff teams, Tampa Bay and Washington. Now, if either the Bucs or Redskins advance to the Super Bowl, then the pick will be 21st.

As for the second of the picks, it'll be either 28th, 29th, 30th or 31st. If neither the Colts nor the Patriots represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, and the Cowboys don't go, the pick will be 28th. If the Colts go to the Super Bowl and the Cowboys don't, the pick will be 29th. If the Patriots are there and the Cowboys aren't, or if the Cowboys lose in the Super Bowl, the pick will be 30th. If Dallas wins it or loses to New England there, the pick will be 31st.

One thing set in stone yesterday was the former of the Cowboys' two first-round picks. The latter will be determined by the team's playoff fortunes, and will land somewhere between 26-32.

With the Titans winning yesterday, the 10-6 Browns missed the playoffs. So the pick acquired in the Brady Quinn deal will be 20th overall. We'll do more analysis on this a little later, but first, here's a look at the last five guys to go in that slot:

2007: Giants -- Texas CB Aaron Ross
2006: Chiefs -- Penn State DE Tamba Hali
2005: Cowboys -- LSU DE Marcus Spears
2004: Vikings -- USC DE Kenechi Udeze
2003: Broncos -- Georgia OT George Foster

So says superstar columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor, backing up his argument with a bunch of RBs picked in the top five who haven't been worth their big contracts.

Feel free to agree or disagree with that. I will note that six GMs should feel silly for letting Adrian Peterson slip to the Vikings.

But if decision makers with top five picks let McFadden pass, you know what that means? The Cowboys could be able to package their two first-rounders to move up for him. Wonder whether that came up while Jerry and D-Mac chatted yesterday?