Third-rounder Jason Williams, a linebacker from Western Illinois, was labeled by one Internet draft site a "boom-or-bust" type because he's a superior athlete but lacks "Football intelligence."

Scouts say fourth-rounder Brandon Williams, a defensive end from Texas Tech who will play outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme, would have benefited from another year with the Red Raiders to improve his tackling and strength.

Fifth-rounder Michael Hamlin, a free safety from Clemson, has durability issues, having broken both feet in his career.

The nine other picks also have glaring flaws. But when it comes to character, the group apparently gets nothing but high marks.

And for the Cowboys - a team that's apparently hoping for better locker-room chemistry after parting ways with Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones and Terrell Owens in the offseason - that's important.

Dallas' three-day rookie camp begins today.

Gil Brandt, NFL.com analyst and former Cowboys personnel director, says he isn't aware of a character issue on any of the draft picks.

"If there is, I don't know it," Brandt said.

Western Illinois coach Don Patterson said Dallas had a former FBI agent do a "really thorough" background check on Jason Williams.

The investigation came up empty, Patterson said.

"It's just rare when a kid these days has no baggage," Patterson said. "But Jason has zero - no kids out of wedlock, no stalker girlfriend, no drinking or drug issues, no debts because of irresponsible credit card use.

"He's just a good kid who drove a big clunker."

Several of the picks, including former Texas A&M quarterback and fourth-rounder Stephen McGee, were team captains.

McGee, who moved to Burnet after spending his early years in San Antonio, has been praised for his loyalty and attitude. Despite playing in a run-oriented offense for three seasons under Dennis Franchione, McGee never complained and was one of the coach's staunchest defenders.

McGee also handled with dignity an injury-plagued senior season that robbed him of the chance to show off his arm in coach Mike Sherman's pro-style offense.

"It hadn't gone all his way, to say the least, at A&M," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "How he dealt with that, how he dealt with less than what his expectations were, how he kept his chin up, how he kept competing and how he kept going with it (was important) big-time to me."

McGee, who is pursuing a master's degree from A&M's Mays Business School, is the son of a retired coach who is now a pastor in Burnet.

The mother of fifth-rounder David Buehler, a kicker from USC, teaches.

"David is just a special kid," said Geoff Jones, coach of Santa Ana (Calif.) College, where Buehler played before transferring to USC. "He (took an above-average class load) one year with about a 3.5 GPA. He's a one-in-a-million type kid."

Oregon State coach Mike Riley feels the same about defensive end Victor Butler, a fourth-rounder who will play outside linebacker for Dallas.

"Vic is a very special guy," Riley told the El Paso Times after Butler was named the Sun Bowl's most valuable player. "He's our captain and a great guy."

FROM GRAPHIC:

Cowboys rookie minicamp

Who: All 12 of the team's 2009 draft picks, eight undrafted free agents and a handful of players from last year's 53-man roster and practice squad.

When: Today through Sunday

Where: Team headquarters in Irving

Did you know? Keon Lattimore, younger brother of Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis, will participate as the camp's only running back. Lattimore participated in training camp last season as an undrafted free agent. After the Cowboys cut him, he spent some of last season on Jacksonville's practice squad.