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Now that we've had a few days to study the Cowboys' draft, it looks pretty good.

Of course, we won't have any idea whether it's any good for at least a couple of years. After all, I thought Bobby Carpenter was a really good pick two years ago – and it wasn't because he's a Buckeye, like me.

Clearly, I was wrong.

As for this draft, let me clear up any erroneous thoughts about my position on Felix Jones. I think he'll be a good player who contributes quite a bit this year, but I wouldn't have picked him over Rashard Mendenhall.

I would've gone with the guy who is bigger, a shade faster, just as quick and catches the ball just as well, although he doesn't return kicks. The Cowboys could build their offense around him if Marion Barber were ever unavailable.

You can't do that with Jones.

Jerry must have agreed with my hypothesis because the Cowboys picked Tashard Choice in the fourth round. He's a traditional runner who has a chance to be pretty good. His selection, in my mind, makes the Felix Jones pick less of an issue.

Mike Jenkins is a good pick because it creates competition and gives the Cowboys more options in the secondary.

If they want, the Cowboys can move Anthony Henry to free safety in the nickel or dime and take Roy Williams off the field. Or they can use Henry, Terence Newman and Pacman Jones as cornerbacks in their nickel.

There's nothing wrong with that.

Martellus Bennett should be a solid contributor as a rookie as should fifth-round pick Orlando Scandrick, one of the better special teams players available.

Jerry wanted players in the draft who could contribute this season, and it looks like that's what he got.

Q: When Rashard Mendenhall was still on the draft board, I agreed that the Cowboys should have drafted Mendenhall. Now, after looking at the whole draft, I like Felix Jones over Mendenhall. The draft is an inexact science, so you are entitled to your opinion, but I think you are wrong. Felix Jones gives us more because he can return kicks. He was the better selection. Your thoughts?

Christopher A. Bryant

TAYLOR: I understand your point, but would you pass on LaDainian Tomlinson or Adrian Peterson or any other top runner because another runner could return three or four kickoffs a game? Of course not. Besides, Pacman Jones, Miles Austin and Mike Jenkins can return kicks. That said, I think Felix will be a good player for Dallas, I just don't understand why you spend hundreds of hours putting together a draft board, then at the moment of truth, you stray from it.

Q: Rather than berate Jerry for selecting for Felix Jones over Rashard Mendenhall, shouldn't we be lauding him for picking a more versatile back whom he is very familiar with, will accept splitting duties with Marion Barber and who fits into the system?

Aaron Poisel

TAYLOR: Who said Mendenhall would moan and groan about splitting time. Maybe he was complaining at Illinois because he thought he was better than Pierre Thomas and wasn't being given an opportunity to showcase his skills. I don't know. I do know I wouldn't just assume he's a malcontent, considering his position coach swears he's a quality player and person.

Q: Why did we trade Anthony Fasano and Akin Ayodele for a fourth-round pick?

Rogelio Gallegos, Mexico City

TAYLOR: The Cowboys don't think Fasano is going to be a special player, and he certainly will play more in Miami than he would have in Dallas, so they didn't mind trading him for a fourth-round pick. Ayodele, if we're honest, was going to be cut in training camp. Now he has a chance to join a team where the coaches know and respect him. He has a home in Miami, and I think he'll be just fine.

Q: Are there any excuses left on defense? By my count, we will have nine first-round draft picks on defense. We fortified our biggest weakness, which was the secondary. The talent and depth is the best since 1993. If we are average or bad on defense, does Wade Phillips have any valid excuses?

Chuck Gray, New York

TAYLOR: See, I usually get accused of asking negative questions like that. Chuck, you must understand that just because a player was taken in the first round – Bobby Carpenter comes to mind – doesn't mean he's going to play like one. Still, this is one of the league's most talented teams, and it should be in the hunt for the Super Bowl. The defense should be excellent if it can avoid injuries.

Q: I saw that Mike Jenkins leaves the impression that he "doesn't possess the work ethic or consistent mental focus that it will take to become an elite professional." Considering Coach Wade Phillips is a rather "weak" coach, is that a smart move?

Cesar Canizales

TAYLOR: I don't put a lot of stock in stuff like that unless it comes from a multitude of different people. No one gets along with everybody. If a player upsets one assistant coach or one strength coach, he can wind up having a poor reputation, when it's really not indicative of his personality.

Q: Do you see Felix Jones as being significantly better than Kevin Smith and Jamaal Charles?

Kevin Olding

TAYLOR: Kevin, you're asking for answers that no one knows. You would assume he'd be better since he was drafted higher, but who knows. So much of NFL success is based on the coach, the scheme, the quarterback, the offensive line and a bunch of other factors.

Q: Why are we so eager to get rid of Akin Ayodele, when his replacement is older, slower, and one more concussion away from retirement? I liked the idea of him and Zach Thomas competing for a starting role, but how do you just give the job to Zach when he's so injury-prone and old.

Omar Savoy, Los Angeles

TAYLOR: A lot of times I get criticized for giving you guys the truth – whether it hurts or not. Trust me, that's OK. If you're in the business of criticizing and you can't take it yourself, that's pretty sorry.

I say that only to point out none of us who cover the team on a regular basis were surprised by this move because we understand the nature of the game. Most fans get so wrapped up in cheering for the team that they don't understand some of the subtleties of the business. There's no way Zach was going to come to Dallas if he wasn't guaranteed the starting job.

Now, he'll say that never occurred as will the Cowboys, but we all know whether it was implied or not, the Cowboys let Zach know he was going to start. Besides, you don't give someone a one-year deal worth essentially $3 million for them to sit on the bench. Once they signed him, it became obvious they would cut Akin because he makes too much money to ride the pine, plus he wouldn't be happy about having his job given away without a true competition.

Q: After looking over highlights of Felix Jones, I find myself wondering if the Cowboys have drafted a more durable Brian Westbrook. If it's the Cowboys' plan to utilize him like the Eagles utilize Westbrook, is this still a bad pick?

Warren Lapine

TAYLOR: To me, it's always going to be a bad pick because I would've taken the player with the potential to be a franchise player. Don't confuse that with me saying Jones is going to be a bad player. I have never, ever written that. I think he will be a good player. I just think the other guy will be better. I can see them using Jones like the Eagles use Westbrook. Jason Garrett is pretty creative, he'll get Jones the ball in space.

Q: After agreeing with your article on the wrong selection, I reviewed the draft selections a little closer. Given some different scenarios, the Cowboys could have ended up with Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins or Rashard Mendenhall and Antoine Cason or Mike Jenkins and Chris Johnson in addition to their fifth- and seventh-round picks. So maybe getting Jones and Jenkins wasn't that bad. What do you think?

Chuck Cypert, Plano

TAYLOR: I really don't mind Jones and Jenkins, especially after they added Tashard Choice in the fourth round. All that really did was validate my point that they needed to add another runner capable of being a full-time starter in case Marion Barber gets hurt.

Q: Is all of the moving around just a ploy the Cowboys do on draft day? It seems as though we gained nothing out of all of the moving around.

Joe DeValt

TAYLOR: I wouldn't say that. They added third- and fourth-round picks next season, which will come in handy as they try to move around the draft board. And if you still feel like you can get one of the players you want, there's zero problem with moving down and getting ammunition for next season.