byDallas Cowboys Mailbag,Nick Eatman&Patrik Walker

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

The Cowboys have certainly been more active in free agency than last year, but they still have glaring needs at receiver, cornerback, running back and defensive line. Do you think they can actually draft the best player available in the first three rounds or are they forced into drafting for need?Dana Brader/Colorado Springs, CO**

Nick:You want the good news or the bad news? Let's start with the bad ... and this is something that everyone knows simply because you're picking 12th overall. But this team earned that position because they weren't good enough last year and therefore, they've got a lot of needs. That's the bad news. The Cowboys need a lot of positions to be upgraded.

But the good news is that they have the 12th pick and the 44th pick and typically you can find some ready-made players to fill those needs. So when you say "forced into taking for need" that's not really a problem because there are so many of them that just about any player they draft - he might be the best player available but I'll bet you anything he'll also fill a need.

So the bad part is that you have a lot of needs but the good part is you can probably stand in there and take the top guy on the board and help your team at the same time.

Kurt:We always hear talk about taking the best player available, but in truth, it's the best player at a position of need. Would it make sense to add a top tight end in the first round to a group that is already relatively set when there are such pressing needs at other positions? Should they take a quarterback in the second round even though they've already invested so heavily in Dak Prescott? Wouldn't it be better to use that draft capital to get a solid player to help him?

Now, the fortunate aspect for Dallas in this draft or maybe it's unfortunate that the team is in this position is that the Cowboys have so many needs that they should have options. If a running back isn't there at No. 12, there should be a talented receiver or defensive end available. If their top offensive linemen are gone in round two, there will hopefully be a highly graded cornerback or defensive tackle on the board.

Obviously, the process is much more difficult when the clock is ticking, but there should be no reason to go reaching. Especially early on, stick to the best player available who can help fill one of your needs. And there are plenty.

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