Cowboys Could Go Unconventional in First Round of 2012 NFL Draft: A Fan’s Take

Mock draft after mock draft has the Dallas Cowboys going the conventional route and drafting a position of need such as defensive line, safety or cornerback in the first round of the April 26 NFL Draft. Nothing wrong with that at all and I'm sure they will go that route.

But, for the sake of doing something different, here are some out-of-the-box options the team could go with that would go against conventional thinking.

Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

I know, right? A tight end in the first round for the Cowboys? This won't happen, but here's why it should: Head coach Jason Garrett is big on two-tight-end formations and even likes to put one of the two in the backfield as an H-back. Jason Witten has done well as the favorite target of quarterback Tony Romo. Fleener did well with soon-to-be No. 1 overall pick quarterback Andrew Luck. Add 4.5 40 he ran during Stanford's pro day and no real No. 3 wide receiver on the roster, Fleener would be a good fit. The senior finished last year with 667 yards for a 19.6 yards per catch average and 10 touchdowns.

Kendall Wright, WR/KR, Baylor

The departure of Laurent Robinson to the Jacksonville Jaguars has left a huge question mark as to who will be the team's third wide receiver. The Cowboys also haven't had a solid full time kick or punt returner for quite some time. Sure Dez Bryant can do the job, but I don't like putting a star receiver in as a returner and risking injury. I know injuries happen, but special teams seem to be more violent that "regular" plays. Anyway, Wright had a fantastic season with Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. He ended the 2011 campaign with 108 receptions, more than 1,600 yards and 14 scores.

Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Martin isn't a big, bruising back at 5-foot-9, 215 pounds, but he is consistent, eclipsing the 1,200-yard mark and double-digit touchdowns each of the last two seasons. I know. He played in a weak conference, I get that. But, you can't determine your competition. You can, however, dominate them and that's what he did. With the emergence of DeMarco Murray last year, Felix Jones will serve as an expensive backup. According to an article by Calvin Watkins, the Cowboys even had internal discussions of trading Jones. Maybe they are greasing the skids to move the Arkansas product during the draft. If so, running back is surely a position the team will address in the draft. If Martin comes off the board to Dallas in either the first or second round - more likely the second if the Cowboys choose him - Jones will be traded.

I fully expect the Cowboys to go with a position of need with the No. 14 pick. Specifically, I think Alabama safety Mark Barron will be the team's first pick if he's available. But, there are times when drafting the unexpected can pay off.

John Ingle is a graduate of the Midwestern State University Mass Communication program with an emphasis in journalism. He is a life-long Dallas Cowboys and football fan dating back to the late 1970s and has had covered the Cowboys as a journalism intern during two training camps at MSU. Follow him on Twitter @inglejohn1973.

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