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Thrown for a loss when running back DeMarco Murray jumped to division rival Philadelphia in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys remain emboldened by last season’s first-place finish, the return of 19 starters, a decent haul in the draft and, of course, the ever-present ego of owner Jerry Jones.

The Cowboys head into this weekend’s rookie minicamp with a lot to check out. They took defensive players with five of the first six picks, led by cornerback Byron Jones and defensive end Randy Gregory in the first and second rounds.

Add that to a decent haul in free agency, continued development of some young defensive players added last year and Jones said this is a completely different unit than the one that struggled to get pressure on quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the NFC Divisional playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.

“Gosh when you look down through there, potential and everything is potential,” Jones said. “But when you look at the positions and everything on the defense I couldn’t have asked for more in this draft. We addressed some key positions. Weak-side linebacker is a key position for us. Pressure player is a key position for us. And certainly in this particular place, corner was key.

“Put it all together this thing has been a major overhaul on defense. This is a very significant sea change of what we are doing on defense and it’s all for the better. We are dramatically improved personnel wise from the team that was on the field against Rodgers in the playoff game against Green Bay.”

Still, the Cowboys missed their shot at a top running back in the draft and cannot put too much stock in the free-agent signing of former Oakland running back Darren McFadden, whose aging talents are questionable even if he manages to stay healthy for a change.

Here is a fresh look at the 2015 Cowboys:

2014 RECORD: 12-4, 1st in NFC East

2015 CAMP SCHEDULE

Rookie minicamp: May 8-10

OTA dates: May 26-28, June 2-4, June 8-10

Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18

COACH: Jason Garrett

5th full season as Cowboys/NFL head coach

42-32 overall; 1-1 postseason

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

(Rookies in capitals)

Offense:

WR: D. Bryant, C. Beasley, D. Street, R. Dunn

TE: G. Escobar, G. SWAIM

LT: T. Smith, D. Weems, R. Miller, L. GIBSON

LG: R. Leary, M. Bernadeau

C: T. Frederick

RG: Z. Martin

RT: D. Free, C. GREEN, D. Hawkins, J. Wetzel, R. Dill

TE: J. Witten, J. Hanna

WR: T. Williams, C. Boyd

QB: T. Romo, B. Weeden, D. Vaughan

RB: D. Mcfadden, L. Dunbar, J. Randle, R. Williams

FB: J. Collins, R. Agnew

Defense:

LDE: T. Crawford, B. Gardner, L. Edwards, R. RUSSELL, E. Obada

LDT: T. Mcclain, K. Bishop, D. Coleman

RDT: J. Brent, N. Hayden, C. Whaley

RDE: J. Mincey, D. Lawrence, R. GREGORY, K. Boatright, J. Crawford

SLB: S. Lee, C. Lawrence, K. Wilber, W. Smith, K. Rivers

MLB: R. Mcclain, J. Brinkley, A. Gachkar, D. WILSON, T. Davis

WLB: A. Hitchens, D. Watson, K. Smith, M. NZEOCHA

LCB: B. Carr, B. JONES, R. Steeples

FS: J. Wilcox, J. Heath

SS: B. Church, K. Johnson

RCB: O. Scandrick, M. Claiborne, C. White, T. Patmon

Special Teams:

P: C. Jones, T. Hornsey

PK: D. Bailey

LS: L. Ladouceur, C. Kreiter

H: T. Romo

PR: C. Beasley

KR: L. Dunbar, C. Beasley

GRADING THE DRAFT — B-

Per Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

Dallas Cowboys: At least on paper, perhaps no team found a better fit late in the first round than the Cowboys, who filled arguably their two biggest needs – cornerback depth and locker room leader – with the selection of Byron Jones. Leadership could be required, however, as the club made a risky pick with Randy Gregory next. Gregory boasts top 10 talent and gives Dallas a potentially frightening trio of edge rushers with Greg Hardy and second-year pro Demarcus Lawrence, but Gregory’s slide wasn’t by accident. While Gregory’s addition was all about winning immediately, I like the developmental upside of young tackles Chaz Green and Laurence Gipson, as well as the instincts and closing speed of linebacker Damien Wilson.

SCOUTING ALL DRAFT PICKS

–Round 1/27 — Byron Smith, CB, 6-1, 199, Connecticut

An explosive athlete who can play safety and cornerback. His athleticism is off the charts in that he set a would-be world record in the broad jump at the NFL Combine with an effort of 12 foot, 3 inches, shattering the old record of 11-7.

–Round 2/60 – Randy Gregory, DE, 6-5, 235, Nebraska

Gregory fills a huge need on the field as a talented edge rusher. But he is troubled as his stock dropped in the draft because of a failed drug test at the NFL Combine in February.

–Round 3/91 – Chaz Green, T, 6-5, 314, Florida

Green fills a need for a backup swing tackle behind starters Tyron Smith and Doug Free after the departure of Jermey Parnell to Jacksonville in free agency. Green missed his junior year at Florida with a torn labrum, but returned to start 11 games as a senior. He will serve as a backup in 2015 but will be groomed as the team’s right tackle of the future in place of Free.

–Round 4/127 – Damien Wilson, LB, 6-0, 245, Minnesota

Wilson led the Gophers with 119 tackles last season, along with 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He is known for his high motor and will give them depth at weak-side linebacker and on special teams.

–Round 5/163 – Ryan Russell, DE, 6-4, 269, Purdue

Russell had 47 career starts at Purdue. As a senior, he had 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble. Tremendous upside. Needs to be more consistent and play with nasty demeanor.

–Round 7/236 – Mark Nzeocha, LB, 6-2, 232, Wyoming

Has only played football four years as he is from Germany. But is a very good athlete and has surprisingly good instincts. A developmental project who could impact special teams.

–Round 7/243 – Laurence Gibson, T, 6-6, 305, Virginia Tech

Another big body, athletic offensive lineman who can be groomed for the future. Has good feet but needs more strength. The Cowboys love his potential

–Round 7/246 – Geoff Swaim, TE, 6-4, 250, Texas

Was not very productive in college as a pass-catcher, but is an old-fashioned blocking tight end. The Cowboys felt so good about him that they traded a 2016 pick to get back in the seventh round to take him rather than risk losing him as an undrafted free agent.

NOTABLE VETERANS ACQUIRED:

–FB Ray Agnew: FA; terms unknown.

–LB Jasper Brinkley: UFA Vikings; $6.5M/2 yrs, $1.25M SB/$2M guaranteed.

–FB Jed Collins: UFA Lions; $810,000/1 yr, $65,000 SB.

–LB Andrew Gachkar: UFA Chargers; $5.2M/2 yrs, $1.2M SB.

–DE Greg Hardy: UFA Panthers; $2.06M/1 yr, $1.3116M WO/$578,125 per-game RB.

–RB Darren McFadden: UFA Raiders; $3M/2 yrs, $200,000 SB.

–RB Keith Rivers: FA Bills; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–CB Corey White (waivers Saints).

NOTABLE PLAYERS LOST:

–LB Bruce Carter: UFA Buccaneers; $17M/4 yrs, $4.2M guaranteed.

–LB Justin Durant: UFA Falcons; $10.8M/3 yrs, $1.25M SB/$3M guaranteed.

–WR Dwayne Harris: UFA Giants; $17.5M/5 yrs, $4M SB/$7.1M guaranteed.

–LB DeVonte Holloman (released/failed physical).

–DT Henry Melton: UFA Buccaneers; $3.75M/1 yr, $1M SB/$3.25M guaranteed.

–CB Sterling Moore: Not tendered as RFA/Buccaneers; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–RB DeMarco Murray: UFA Eagles: $40M/5 yrs, $5M SB/$21M guaranteed; $3M for injury only/$3M RB 3/17.

–DT Amobi Okoye (released).

–T Jermey Parnell: UFA Jaguars; $32M/5 yrs, $13M guaranteed.

–DE George Selvie: UFA Giants; $1.2M/1 yr, $200,000 SB.

–DE Anthony Spencer: UFA Saints; $950,000/1 yr, $80,000 SB/$230,000 guaranteed.

PRESEASON PEEK — Mark that calendar

All times Eastern

2015 SCHEDULE

All times Central

Aug. 13: at San Diego (Thu.), 9:00

Aug. 23: at San Francisco (Sun.), 7:00

Aug. 29: MINNESOTA (Sat.), 6:30

Sept. 3: HOUSTON (Thu.), 7:00