Finally, after all these years, the Dallas Cowboys utilized their first pick in a draft to select a player who can help them now. And a case can be made for that not happening since 1992, when the Cowboys selected cornerback Kevin Smith and linebacker Robert Jones with their two first-round picks. Since then, the Cowboys have been nibbling, trading out of the first round in three of the past five drafts, and selecting guys to be groomed for starting positions or players who could make minimal contributions their rookie seasons.

But not this time. This time the Cowboys selected LSU tight end David LaFleur, even trading up three picks (with Philadelphia) to make sure they snagged this 6-7, 280-pounder being billed as a complete tight end -- one who can run-block with the best of them but also play an integral role in the passing game. And don't get all bent out of shape that the Cowboys gave Philadelphia this year's fifth-round draft choice and next year's third-rounder. By trading out of the second round, the Cowboys picked up an extra fourth-round pick, and they likely will replace that third with a compensatory pick next year.

LaFleur now gives the Cowboys a three-headed monster at tight end, along with Eric Bjornson and Kendell Watkins, but also signals the end for Jay Novacek, who missed all of last season with a degenerative back condition and is expected to announce his retirement following June 1 when only the 1997 portion of his pro-rated signing bonus will count against the salary cap.

The Cowboys still expected Bjornson to be a 30-play-a-game tight end, but now will not have to rely on his 235 pounds to also handle the blocking chores in the running game. Plus, this offense has been known to utilize two tight ends in several sets, including in passing situations. As coach Barry Switzer likes to point out, "This makes Eric Bjornson a better tight end."

Switzer means that LaFleur's presence will go a long way towards keeping Bjornson healthy. Last season began with Bjornson recovering from a strained hamstring suffered early in training camp, and then spraining not one but both ankles during the season, causing him to play at about 75 percent effectiveness down the stretch. This pick should greatly influence the Cowboys' offense, one which went from scoring 435 points in 1995 to 286 in 1996, of which 41.9 percent was provided by since departed kicker Chris Boniol.

And in possibly the two other most important moves the Cowboys made in this draft, they used their next pick -- 65th overall -- to roll the dice on a potential starting weak-side linebacker, Appalachian State's Dexter Coakley. Now Coakley might have been the Division I-AA defensive player of the year, but he measured only 5-9 5/8 at the combine. That is considered quite short to play linebacker in the NFL, even weak-side. But the Cowboys insist Coakley has the speed to overcome his size deficiency. Coakley, if he can stand up to the run, should be a plus in the passing game, where he was known at Appalachian State for covering receivers in the slot. If that's the case, and he can play the run, Coakley might adequately replace Darrin Smith, who signed a one-year free-agency deal with Philadelphia on draft day.

The other significant move was getting defensive tackle Antonio Anderson early in the fourth round. Anderson fell right through the second and third rounds, which caused the Cowboys to salivate. After missing out on Notre Dame defensive tackle Renaldo Wynn -- Jacksonville selected him at 21 in the first round -- the Cowboys desperately needed to fill a defensive tackle need. Consider that Leon Lett will miss the first 13 games of the season; Darren Benson and Mike Ulufale have yet to prove themselves at this level; and former first-round pick Leonard Renfro's stock has dropped so far in three years he didn't even make a roster in 1996. So Anderson gives the Cowboys another candidate to aid starters Chad Hennings and Tony Casillas. Plus, Casillas is 33 and Hennings enters the final year of his contract.

After that, the Cowboys continued to draft for need, selecting Oregon corner Kenny Wheaton for insurance against Deion Sanders's baseball career interrupting the first month of the football season and injuries to returning backup candidates Alundis Brice and Wendell Davis; then Nick Sualua of Ohio State as a backup fullback candidate; and also Macey Brooks of James Madison to gain some depth at receiver.

So if nothing else, at least the Cowboys drafted for immediate need, deviating from that familiar course of trading down or selecting these supposed diamond in the rough projects.

ROUND-BY-ROUND ANALYSIS

Round 1/22 -- David LaFleur, TE, LSU

With Jay Novacek expected to retire and last year's starter Eric Bjornson hampered by injuries all season long, the Cowboys were searching for an all-purpose tight end. LaFleur ranked tops on their tight-end board, and would appear to be a great pick for a struggling offense which relies so heavily on tight-end production. Now they have two tight ends to rely on in the passing game, and both come with the quarterback's stamp of approval. LaFleur is expected to be the every-down tight end, with Bjornson utilized 20 to 30 plays a game, primarily in passing situations.

Round 3/65 -- Dexter Coakley, LB, Appalachian State

Have the Cowboys discovered one of those freaks of nature? A linebacker under 5-10 capable of playing at the NFL level? Is Coakley the next Sam Mills? The Cowboys certainly intend to find out, already penciling him in as Darrin Smith's projected replacement on the weak side. On paper, this seems possible, because Coakley is purported to be tough against the run, unaffected by his size. If he has problems, the Cowboys then could turn to only Alan Campos or a free-agency leftover to replace Smith.

Round 3/83 -- Steve Scifres, OL, Wyoming

Scifres could be a potential backup at both tackle and guard for the Cowboys. But skepticism must abound if judged off the team's previous track record for selecting potential backup offensive linemen the past few years. Since selecting Erik Williams with their third, third-round pick in 1991 -- even after OT James Richards -- Larry Allen (second round 1994) has been the only offensive lineman the Cowboys have hit on, with the jury still out on center Clay Shiver, a third-round pick last season. And the Cowboys certainly need depth at guard and tackle.

Round 3/94 -- Kenny Wheaton, CB, Oregon

This is nice insurance against Deion Sanders' baseball career and knee injuries to Alundis Brice and Wendell Davis. Not too high a pick if Sanders indeed does not miss any games the first month of the season or Brice recovers in time, but a decent enough corner to potentially get by with or contribute on the nickel. Wheaton played alongside Oregon's Alex Molden two years ago, and some scouts say he is the better corner of the two. Toe injury during combine caused his 40 time to fall off, from 4.55 to 4.71. This could be a winner pick here, his size the only drawback.

Round 4/101 -- Antonio Anderson, DT, Syracuse

Previous problems with knee caused this mammoth defensive tackle to fall all the way to the top of the fourth round. The Cowboys were elated, having identified Anderson as one of the defensive tackles they would have liked to pick. And they dispute notion Anderson was a lazy player in college. He can't afford to be lazy if he wants to earn playing time behind Casillas and Hennings, having to compete with two guys coming off knee surgeries and Renfro, the 1994 Philadelphia first-round washout. His size sure fits the position with Lett still under suspension.

Round 4/127 -- Macey Brooks, WR, James Madison

This was one productive receiver at the Division I-AA level, pulling in 25 touchdowns in three seasons, 14 of those coming in his senior season when he averaged nearly 15 yards per catch. This is just what the Cowboys look for in receivers: A large target, with the capability of making big plays. He appears to be a Michael Irvin clone, much bigger, though, but not quite as fast. Brooks likely will compete for the fourth or fifth receiver spot on the team, assuming the Cowboys sign a veteran free agent to fill the second spot alongside Irvin. If he runs better than his 40 time, he has a chance to challenge for second spot.

Round 4/129 -- Nicky Sualua, FB, Ohio State

Since Daryl Johnston broke into the starting lineup in 1990, the Cowboys have been searching for a legitimate backup fullback. They have yet to find one, such notables as Tommie Agee, Derrick Gainer and Herschel Walker serving as backups. Now Sualua gets his chance. He is noted as a "battering ram," which is exactly what the Cowboys want in a fullback. He certainly isn't a ball-carrier, but was capable of catching 16 passes -- two for touchdowns as a junior. Sualua should be well-rested since he was academically ineligible to play his final year at Ohio State.

Round 6/187 -- Lee Vaughn, CB, Wyoming

Maybe the Cowboys are starting a Wyoming pipeline, Vaughn the second choice from the WAC school. A three-year starter, Vaughn is headed for special teams duty if he is able to make the squad. He was considered the top special teams player at Wyoming, something the Cowboys could be lacking with the recent free-agency loses of Jim Schwantz and Darrin Smith.

Round 7/224 -- Omar Stoutmire, SS, Fresno State

A pure special teams pick, basically made by special teams coach Joe Avezzano. Stoutmire might have a chance to develop into a backup safety at some point, but at this point he must make the team as an all-around special teams player. In 1993, the Cowboys used a seventh-round pick for a special teams player. His name is Brock Marion, starting free safety.