The Cowboys didn't wow anybody with their work in the 2009 NFL Draft.

At least not anybody outside the team's Valley Ranch training complex.

They traded away their first pick to Detroit as part of the package that brought wide receiver Roy Williams last October.

And then they traded away their second-round pick on Saturday, leaving them without a pick in the first two rounds for the first time since 1980.

But Cowboys had a war chest of 12 picks in the final five rounds on Sunday.

And while there were no big names, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he is very pleased with what his team accomplished.

The Cowboys bolstered their thin linebacker and safety corps with a total of seven picks. Stephen McGee was selected as the quarterback of the future in the fourth round.

And they addressed special teams across the board.

"We really maximized our draft without a No. 1," Jones said. "Everybody would have loved to have a No. 1. But I would not have wanted it at the expense of not having Roy Williams. I think we were able to direct the picks at the part of the draft in the third and fourth round and do some damage in getting players to help us in a lot of different ways."

According to coach Wade Phillips, the Cowboys had a plan and stuck to it.

Part of that plan was landing the players the team was most familiar with, and six of the first seven prospects chosen by the Cowboys came to Valley Ranch for pre-draft visits.

"It's hard if you are a fan to be excited because all you hear about are the first-round picks," vice president Stephen Jones said. "It's not hard for us to be excited. We are excited as we have ever been about the draft. The numbers and opportunities are every bit as exciting as if we had two ones and two twos."

Look for third-round pick Jason Williams to come in and make an immediate contribution at inside linebacker. He will back up Keith Brooking and replace Kevin Burnett as the nickel linebacker.

Victor Butler and Brandon Williams are college defensive ends who will be pass-rushing outside linebackers. They could threaten Greg Ellis' job security.

The Cowboys drafted two safeties -- DeAngelo Smith and Mike Hamlin -- in the fifth round. Smith will swing between cornerback and safety, while Hamlin could challenge Gerald Sensabaugh at strong safety. Both are expected to play as rookies.

All of the picks outside of offensive lineman Robert Brewster and McGee will make big impacts on special teams.

The Cowboys proved how important special teams were in the draft and will be next season by drafting USC kicker David Buehler in the fifth round. They will take two kickers to the game with Buehler handling kickoffs and Pro Bowl kicker Nick Folk handling field goals.

Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis was hired to replace Bruce Read after the season. He has a bunch of new toys to work with.

"We had a very serious offseason priority beginning with the hiring of our special teams coach," owner Jerry Jones said. "Special teams play is an important part of what we could do in this draft, because as I mentioned yesterday, when you're drafting at this level, you can put some emphasis on that. Nearly every one of our selections were there to give us an opportunity to make an immediate improvement."

BEST PICK: Free safety Mike Hamlin was rated as a third-round prospect by some and was a consensus fourth-round talent. The Cowboys got him in the fifth round and believe he'll have an immediate impact in the safety rotation.

COULD SURPRISE: Cornerback Mike Mickens was chosen in the seventh round, but he was graded down because of injury. He led the nation in interceptions last season. He was a four-year starter and a four-year all-Big East performer. He is cleared medically and could be the fourth cornerback.

A closer look at the Cowboys' picks:

Round 3/69 -- Jason Williams, LB, 6-1, 241, Western Illinois

He wowed the Cowboys and others with a 4.49 40-yard dash. Also had 14 forced turnovers in college. Should provide depth at a thin linebacker position and help on special teams.

Round 3/75 -- Robert Brewster, OL, 6-4, 312, Ball State

He played tackle in college but projects to guard in the NFL. The Cowboys want him to get stronger. They are looking for interior line depth and want to groom someone to eventually replace left guard Kyle Kosier.

Round 4/101 -- Stephen McGee, QB, 6-3, 224, Texas A&M

He is the first quarterback drafted by the Cowboys since Quincy Carter in 2001 and just the second since 1991. The Cowboys have added two quarterbacks this offseason. They traded for Jon Kitna to be Tony Romo's primary backup and now have their young guy to groom for the future.

Round 4/110 -- Victor Butler, LB, 6-2, 248, Oregon

He played defensive end in college but projects to outside linebacker in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme. He is versatile and he can get to quarterback. Butler recorded 22.5 sacks the past two years, including 12 as a senior when he was named first-team all-Pac 10.

Round 4/120 - Brandon Williams, LB, 6-3, 261, Texas Tech

The Big 12's sack leader with 13 as a junior, the Cowboys have another athletic project for their 3-4 defense. Williams will have to show he has the balance and flexibility required to play in space as an outside linebacker.

Round 5/143 -- DeAngelo Smith, DB, 5-11, 194, Cincinnati

He gives the Cowboys another body at a thin cornerback position. But he also will bring much needed help to the return game. He returned punts and kicks a senior.

Round 5/166 -- Michael Hamlin, FS, 6-2, 214, Clemson

He gives the Cowboys a boost in the secondary. Hamlin was projected to be off the board a round or two earlier. It's unlikely Hamlin will come in and contend for starting spot at safety with veterans Ken Hamlin and Gerald Sensabaugh in the fold. However, the Cowboys need numbers at safety and Hamlin should also be strong on special teams coverage.

Round 5/172 -- David Buehler, K, 6-2, 227, Southern Cal

The Cowboys have a Pro Bowl kicker in Nick Folk, who was a sixth-round choice two years ago. But they couldn't pass on Buehler (6-2,227), a workout warrior with a big leg. Look for Folk to continue to handle field goals with Buehler being used a kickoff special specialist.

Round 6/197 -- Stephen Hodge, SS, 6-0, 234, Texas Christian

While there is a question as to whether Hodge can play safety in the NFL or should move down to inside linebacker, his initial impact will be on special teams.

Round 6/208 -- John Phillips, TE, 6-5,251,Virginia

He will replace Tony Curtis as the third tight end. He is regarded as a good blocker who should boost the special teams.

Round 7/227 -- Mike Mickens, CB, 6-1, 186, Cincinnati

Mickens was projected as a fourth rounder but dropped because of a late-season knee injury. He is a four-year starter who could be the fourth cornerback.

Round 7/229 -- Manuel Johnson, WR, 5-11, 189, Oklahoma

He has the quickness and speed to make an impact as a slot receiver. He also has good hands and the upside to surprise.