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At the end of last year's NFL draft, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones announced the signing of undrafted free agent guard Ronald Leary from Memphis. The Cowboys guaranteed $214,000 to Leary with the hope he would make the 53-man roster out of camp.

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Leary didn't, instead playing on the practice squad for the bulk of the season until the Cowboys had to promote him to the 53-man roster after the Oakland Raiders put in a claim for him.

Leary improved as the season progressed and again has a shot to make the 53-man roster in 2013.

Fast-forward to this year when the Cowboys signed undrafted linebacker Brandon Magee over the weekend. Magee received a $70,000 signing bonus, more than any seventh-round pick from last year's draft.

The Cowboys were interested in drafting Magee in the middle rounds, but his size (5-foot-11, 229 pounds) and health (he injured his elbow in Arizona State's bowl game) made selecting him a risky proposition. However, the Cowboys were impressed with his 113 total tackles last season at Arizona State, which earned him second-team All-Pac-12 honors.

Magee is completely healthy, according to his agent, Blake Baratz, and looking forward to next week's rookie minicamp.

The Cowboys project Magee as a strongside or weakside linebacker because of his speed (4.68-second 40-yard dash at Arizona State's pro day) and ability to make plays on the ball.

Some NFL teams were a little scared off by Magee's baseball ambitions. The Boston Red Sox own his rights, but Magee's desire is to play in the NFL.

The Cowboys are looking for good fits in Monte Kiffin's 4-3 defense, and once they find someone, Jones will make sure he spends the money to grab him, much like he did with Leary.

This year's pet project, if you will, is Magee, who will have to play well on special teams and on the defense with the backup units to make the roster.

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless discuss whether Travis Frederick will prove to be the right pick for the Dallas Cowboys.

IRVING, Texas -- Over the last few years, the Cowboys have had draft picks who weren't ready to start practicing come rookie minicamp.

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Sean Lee, Bruce Carter, Matt Johnson and Morris Claiborne were just some of the players whose careers were delayed by either post-college surgeries or an early injury in camp.

This class doesn't appear to have those issues, other than running back Joseph Randle, who has a thumb injury. But he will wear a brace and participate in the rookie minicamp in two weeks.

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said that Randle most likely won't catch any passes but should be fine for training camp.

The Cowboys can't afford to deal with any more injured draft picks. It's one thing to get hurt once you start working for the Cowboys, but it's another having to deal with an injury before turning pro.

The Cowboys front office talked a lot over the weekend about how the seven draft picks could become starters at some point. The pressure on center Travis Frederick is great because of the Cowboys' decision to trade down in the draft and and acquire an extra third-rounder rather than a second-round pick.

The rest of the 2013 class can morph into a starting role in the future, but there's no pressure to do so now. However, becoming major contributors in 2013 is important to the success of the Cowboys.

In order to do that, this class has to remain healthy.

IRVING, Texas -- With Matt Barkley, Ryan Nassib, Tyler Wilson and Landry Jones available in the fourth round Saturday, it looked like the Cowboys could have had to chance to do something they don’t do often and draft a quarterback.

By the time they picked at No. 114, only Jones was available and he went to Pittsburgh with the next pick.

Barkley went No. 98 to Philadelphia, Nassib went to the New York Giants at No. 110 and Wilson went to Oakland at No. 112.

The last quarterback the Cowboys drafted was Stephen McGee (fourth round) in 2009. Since 1990 the Cowboys have drafted only three quarterbacks: Bill Musgrave (1991), Quincy Carter (2001) and McGee.

The Cowboys have Tony Romo, who turned 33 earlier in the week, Kyle Orton and Nick Stephens on the roster and agreed to a deal with undrafted rookie Dalton Williams on Saturday.

“I think every team wants to develop a quarterback,” coach Jason Garrett said. “You want a guy coming along. We feel really good about the quarterbacks we have on the roster right now and what their roles are. If one of those top guys had fallen further we would’ve had another conversation about it. We felt those guys were good players and maybe good value but maybe not for us where we were picking.”

Pick: South Carolina outside linebacker DeVonte Holloman, 185 overall

Pros: Does a nice job against the run and displays power when he tackles. Has the ability to play some safety and he can cover tight ends in a pinch.

Cons: Could be stronger and use his hands better when taking on blockers.

Cowboy fit: Currently the Cowboys have Justin Durant as the other starting outside linebacker in their new 4-3 scheme. However, Durant isn't the future at the position and this is where, maybe, Holloman can assert himself. Holloman will have to make the team on special teams but if he can impress the coaches in training camp and in some preseason games, he could move into a role where he gets a few snaps on game days.

Could have had: DE Cornelius Washington, Georgia; ILB Kevin Reddick, North Carolina; DE Mike Catapano, Princeton, T Roger Gaines, TCU.

IRVING, Texas – Unless the Cowboys make a trade back into the seventh round, they concluded their draft Saturday by taking South Carolina linebacker DeVonte Holloman with the 185th overall pick.

Holloman had 55 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions as a senior after spending his first three seasons at safety.

He is projected as a strong-side linebacker where he would compete with Justin Durant, Alex Albright and Ernie Sims. His time as a safety could help him as a special teams’ contributor as well as in covering tight ends.

Holloman had a DUI arrest in 2011, which is a sensitive subject surrounding the Cowboys with the incidents involving Josh Brent and Jay Ratliff in December and January.

It is the ninth straight year the Cowboys have drafted at least one linebacker.

Pick: Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle, No. 151 overall

Pros: A good north-and-south runner with above average speed who does a nice job eluding defenders. He also is an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield and displayed an ability to block well in pass protection.

Cons: Had a fumbling problem early in his career but seemed to solve it in 2012. Randle doesn't have a strong lower body, something that needs work in the weight room.

Cowboy fit: The Cowboys have talked about finding a solid backup for DeMarco Murray because of some durability issues. Randle adds competition to the position and while the Cowboys like Lance Dunbar, it could mean the end for Philip Tanner. The Cowboys want their backup running backs to play special teams and it will be interesting to see if Randle can handle that aspect of the job.

Could have had: DE Stansly Maponga, TCU; TE Luke Wilson, Rice; DT Josh Boyd, Miss. St.; FB Zach Line, SMU.

IRVING, Texas -- Why pick a cornerback, like B.W. Webb, in the fourth round if you’re the Cowboys?

An old adage is you cannot have enough of them, and it’s true. The Cowboys were playing with Sterling Moore, Michael Coe, Mario Butler and LeQuan Lewis at different times in 2012 as reserves because of injuries to Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins.

And there are salary-cap implications, too.

Scandrick’s cap number is set to double from 2013 to 2014. He will count $2.816 million against the cap this year and is set to count $5.601 million against the cap in 2014 with a $3.5 million base salary next year.

The Cowboys will have salary-cap issues next year and could be in a trimming mode next March as well.

If Scandrick performs at a top level as a third corner, that is a palatable number. If he doesn’t, then the Cowboys have to start the ball rolling on a replacement in the nickel. That’s where Webb and his league minimum base salary could come in.

Pick: William & Mary cornerback B.W. Webb, No. 114 overall

Pros: A solid zone corner with great athletic ability. Has the ability to play the ball and is fast enough to cover up some mistakes. Had 11 interceptions in his career with eight coming as a freshman.

Cons: He is not the most physical player in run support. Is a little slight of size and press coverage is not one of his strengths. Did his interception total slip because he didn’t get much action?

Cowboy fit: You can never have enough corners and this could put Orlando Scandrick on the clock. Scandrick’s cap figures jump up in 2014 and this team will need to make some economic decisions. Webb steps in as the fourth corner with Sterling Moore.

Could have had: Earl Watford, G, James Madison; Landy Jones, QB, Oklahoma, Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson, Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State

IRVING, Texas -- The last day of the NFL draft is here and with four rounds left, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said just because the franchise drafted a tight end in round three doesn't mean the front office is done.

Gavin Escobar was selected in the third round and has the ability to become a pass catching tight end, something that Jason Witten and James Hanna is. Yet, the Cowboys do have a need for a blocking tight end and Jones said that can still happen.

"We're not through yet and we may be in the blocking tight end business," Jones said. "My point is we’re going to block better; we will block better and we block better if we got three or two tights out there or three wide receivers. That was very much in our minds."

Prior to the draft, the Cowboys voiced concern about the durability of starting running back DeMarco Murray, who missed six games in 2012 with a foot injury.

After three rounds, the Cowboys didn't draft a running back yet had high regard for Giovani Bernard, Le'Veon Bell, Eddie Lacy.

"We're not through," Jones said about getting a running back. "We just we had a real good grade on them. We aren't through at running back. I hate to answer no, they didn’t temp us, as it turns out the Williams thing hit us real good we needed that to happen once in a draft."

The Williams thing is the Cowboys getting Baylor wide receiver Terrence Williams in the third round. The Cowboys didn't anticipate that happening because they figured he would be gone. Jones said the Cowboys came into the draft with the anticipation of going heavy on offense and achieved that with three of their four picks on the offensive side of the ball.

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys' third-round pick, wide receiver Terrance Williams from Baylor, said he's not afraid to take on press coverage, something he might face once his NFL career starts.

"Seeing press is not my biggest fear," Williams said Friday night. "At times I saw it in college, I destroyed it. I'm really not worried about press that much. I know how to beat it and I'm pretty sure they will teach me ways to beat it more, and I'm just trying to get better and learn from Dez Bryant, Miles Austin that will mean the world to me and get me ready for press coverage."

When Williams was redshirted in 2008, he simulated Bryant, who at that time played for Oklahoma State, in practice as the scout team wide receiver.

"Just watching him play, back in college when I was on scout team, I had to be him and that's somebody that I really, really liked," Williams said. "I'm going to get a chance to play beside him and that means the world to me because now I get to learn from one of the best, and somebody who can help me throughout this whole process, and he can bring the best out of me and I'm just ready to get to work and play football now."

Williams set career-highs in catches (97), yards (1,832) and touchdowns (12) in his senior season. While he didn't return kicks his senior season, he averaged 22.6 yards per return in his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons. Williams said he's willing to return to that role with the Cowboys.

"It feels like a dream to be drafted by a team I grew up watching," said Williams, who graduated from W.T. White High School in Dallas. "I always liked (them) and to get a chance to play for them means the world to me."

IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys will sign center Travis Frederick to a four-year deal eventually, but what will it be worth?

Look to last year’s No. 31 overall pick, Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin.

Martin received a $3.376 million signing bonus as part of a deal worth as much as $6.778 million. Martin will receive $5.472 million guaranteed.

Frederick figures to earn slightly more than what Martin received last year.

IRVING, Texas – The NFL Draft can be such a farce. Really, it can.

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There is so much analysis beforehand that teams, draftniks, media and fans can just about over-think anything.

As Jason Garrett walked out of the press conference Thursday night, I asked him, ‘Why can’t it just be as simple as taking the best guy available on your board?

Now I know there are shades of gray in everything, but this is a team that held firm on Tyron Smith at No. 9 in 2011 and didn’t take first- and second-round picks from Jacksonville and then traded up to get Morris Claiborne last year by giving up their second round pick.

There is no doubt Sharrif Floyd was the highest player available on the Cowboys board when they picked at No. 18. There is no doubt defensive line was/is a need for this team. Would Floyd be a perfect fit? Maybe not. But to hear the talk of short arms and a lack of a pass rush since the Cowboys didn’t take him, why did they have him so high on their board?

Anyway, back to my question to Garrett. Here’s his response:

“You can absolutely do that and we’ve done that in the past,” Garrett said. “And we just felt in this situation we saw the different people who were available to you and what we might be able to get for moving down, so we just felt really positive about that. At the end of the day you evaluate the pick we made, Travis Frederick, plus the third rounder that we got versus who we would get at 18. We feel like this draft is pretty rich in the second round and third round and feel like that additional pick can really help our football team.”

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IRVING, Texas – One of the best parts of Thursday’s first-round was watching the Cowboys’ draft room camera.

When it got close to the Cowboys’ pick at No. 18, you could see the action pick up and phone calls being made. The best part was attempting to read the reactions – remember, there are no microphones – of those involved from Jerry and Stephen Jones to Jason Garrett to Tom Ciskowski and attempt to actually know what was going on. It would make for a great comedy skit in a way.

Let’s just say the body language of a few of the characters was not good as things went down. Do we know how it all went down? Who wanted whom? Who didn’t want whom? Not yet.

“I think we always have a stoic demeanor around here, don’t we,” Garrett said with tongue in cheek. “I don’t think we were overly concerned (about the draft room camera and body language).

“Sometimes you’re in the draft room and you’re not in control of anything and you’re just watching the draft and watching it like a fan. It’s not like we were moving to (No. 4). The math says there’s no way, so it’s interesting to see where teams go and certain guys move up for Tayvon Austin. (It’s) ‘Really, that’s interesting,’ and then there’s implications to that and now you say, ‘He’s here. This team wants this,’ and you play it out. Sometimes you’re right. Sometimes you’re not.”

IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys are hoping Travis Frederick will continue a tradition set forth by Wisconsin offensive linemen in recent years.

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Joe Thomas, Gabe Carimi, John Moffitt, Kevin Zeitler and Peter Konz have been high picks in recent years and have had different degrees of success.

“I think that having that tradition helps continue that tradition,” Frederick said. “That tradition is one of the reasons why I chose to go to Wisconsin, just knowing that such great offensive linemen have come out of there and would probably or hopefully give me the opportunity if I worked as hard as I could to be in the situation that I’m in today. I’m excited to join that long line.”

The Cowboys’ recent history with Badgers offensive linemen isn’t so good.

In 2003, the Cowboys drafted Al Johnson in the second round, and they took Bill Nagy in the seventh round in 2011. Johnson missed his rookie year because of a knee injury that subsequently cut his career short. Nagy won a starting job in part by default, but he suffered an ankle injury and was cut during training camp last summer.

“You certainly go case by case and evaluate the player,” coach Jason Garrett said, “but there is no question there is a tradition of offensive linemen coming out of Wisconsin. There is a long-standing tradition, but there is also a recent tradition. What that does is allow you to talk to people that know these guys well and compare them to people, ‘Hey, compare him to this guy, compare him to that guy. You had him two years ago, how does he stack up?’ Those conversations are real because guys who’ve been around these guys day after day after day can make great evaluations.”