Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the 2008 NFL Draft began in earnest for the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday when they began the process of acquiring cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones from the Tennessee Titans for a fourth-round pick in this weekend's draft.

Although risky considering that Pacman Jones is under NFL team suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy, Jerry Jones called it a move to fill a need and bring some big-play potential to the Dallas Cowboys special teams.

On Saturday, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys resisted the urge to take further gambles but continued to fill needs and add big-play threats on the first official day of the draft.

Arkansas running back Felix Jones became the first offensive player taken in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys since tight end David LaFleur in 1997, who like Jones was the 22nd overall pick. They then took South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins with the 25th pick of the first round and Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett with the 61st pick of the second round.

"Oh, man, I'm excited," Felix Jones said from his home in Tulsa. "I grew up watching this team. Now I am going to have a chance to play for them and play with a star on my helmet. I am going to make the best of it."

Felix Jones was chosen over a generally higher-rated Rashard Mendenhall because he was the best fit for Dallas Cowboys.

The speedy Jones, who specializes in the big play and is an excellent kickoff returner, is considered the perfect complement to Pro Bowl running back Marion Barber.

Jerry Jones said Barber and Mendenhall are similar-styled backs while Felix Jones' quickness gave the Dallas Cowboys a chance to add another dimension to the offense.

"They were both right there on our draft board," Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones said. "Barber allowed me to think about Felix and the advantages of his exceptional running ability, making-them-miss, open-field type running. That was influential to me."

Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips: "Felix Jones gives you that dimension of an open-field, Marshall Faulk-type. He gave us that dimension we didn't have. We had the same thing with both Mendenhall and Barber. This way you've got a little more versatility in your offense."

It didn't hurt that Felix Jones is used to sharing the load. He rushed for 1,162 yards last season, averaging 7.66 yards per carry while splitting time with Darren McFadden.

McFadden was ranked as the best back in the draft, and there was much talk leading up to the draft that Jerry Jones, an Arkansas alum, would trade up to pick him.

The Dallas Cowboys owner, notorious for draft-day trades, tried his best to make a deal Saturday. He hoped to move into the top 10 in case McFadden fell, but McFadden was taken fourth by the Oakland Raiders.

The Dallas Cowboys owner also tried to convince the rest of the Dallas Cowboys brass to move up in the second round for a receiver or to ensure they got Bennett, but the effort was rebuffed. In the end -- except for sending fifth- and seventh-round picks to Seattle to move from 28th to 25th in the first round to take Jenkins -- the Dallas Cowboys played it by the book.

"We ended up with the best value we could," Jones said. "I'm not disappointed at all."
Jenkins and Pacman Jones are great kick returners and threats to return interceptions for touchdowns.

After trading Anthony Fasano along with linebacker Akin Ayodele to the Miami Dolphins for a fourth-ound pick, the Dallas Cowboys needed a second tight end to go with Pro Bowler Jason Witten.

The 6-foot-7, 252-pound Bennett didn't catch a lot of passes in Texas A&M's run-oriented offense, but he has the size, hands and athletic ability to be a weapon.


Bennett, who had more memorable quotes than memorable catches at Texas A&M, delivered. He said he can't wait to catch passes from quarterback Tony Romo.

"I'm really excited," Bennett said. "Any quarterback that can get Jessica Simpson, I've got to play with him."




Felix Jones

Dallas Cowboys 1st 22nd overall

Running back/kick returner, Arkansas, 6-0, 207

Wade Phillips said Jones is a Marshall Faulk-type player who gives the Dallas Cowboys versatility offensively. Jones has a beneficial background, considering he shared the Arkansas backfield with fourth overall pick Darren McFadden and will share duties as a Cowboy with Marion Barber. Jones expects to get 10 to 15 carries a game and complement Barber's hard-running style with speed and outside moves. He also expects to return kicks. Jones, who brings a strong work ethic and character, averaged 7.6 yards per carry for his career and had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

Mike Jenkins

Dallas Cowboys 1st 25th overall

Cornerback

South Florida, 5-11, 197

Jenkins, for whom the Dallas Cowboys traded fifth- and seventh-round picks to move up and select, was regarded by many draft experts as one of the top three cornerbacks available. He will boost depth at the position, which is lacking after the Dallas Cowboys lost Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones in free agency.

Martellus Bennett

Dallas Cowboys 2nd 61st overall

Tight end

Texas A&M, 6-7, 252

The Dallas Cowboys went after a tight end after trading former second-round pick Anthony Fasano to the Dolphins on Friday. Bennett, whom Wade Phillips compared to San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, also played basketball, like Gates, in college.