byDallas Cowboys Mailbag,Mickey Spagnola&Tommy Yarrish

(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)

Why does everyone seem to think Dallas needs to pick a running back in the first round? The running back class is very deep, and they can find one in the later rounds. The Cowboys should pick a defensive tackle or defensive end in the first round, right? Great NFL teams build their offensive and defensive lines first.Dennis Keller/Fletcher, OK

Mickey:Got no arguments with you on that kind of thinking. Now, not sure they would go defensive tackle in the first round but got no problem selecting a defensive end for sure in the first round. Or as head coach Brian Schottenheimer said from the NFL Meetings, "You build from the outside in." So, let's assume on defense he is talking defensive ends and cornerbacks, and for sure, if there is a top defensive end at No. 12, why not. Remember they lost DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston. Now they do have Sam Williams coming back from IR, but he's entering the final year of his contract. Do have Marshawn Kneeland and while they added Dante Fowler Jr., the veteran end is only on a one-year contract. And they are taking only a one-year chance on Payton Turner, a former first-round draft choice of the Saints. Drafting a first-round defensive end would allow them to move Micah Parsons around. Maybe a little more linebacker. And again, until he is signed to an extension, he's on the final year of his contract, though a franchise tag in 2026 a possibility. Now not selecting one out of dire need, but if there is a DeMarcus Ware talent available at No. 12, would have to weigh that against the talent level at another position

Tommy:You make a good point Dennis, and I agree that the trenches are where you need to start to build a great team, but at the same time, I look at this Cowboys team and see a massive hole in the WR2 spot. I think that needs to be the pick at 12, especially if Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan or Texas' Matthew Golden are available. At least on the defensive line, you've already got reliable bodies like Osa Odighizuwa in the fold. That's not to say you don't need more, but I think wide receiver is an area with more need at this point in time. The Cowboys have been complimentary about how deep the running back and defensive tackle classes are this year, so it's an opportunity for Will McClay and his staff to do what they've done well in the past and find some buried gems in some of the later rounds.

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