Dallas Cowboys: Six Mid-Round Draft Successes
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) celebrates his touchdown in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Many Dallas Cowboys fans sighed with disappointment as Anthony Hitchens name was read out as the fourth round draft pick last year. The former Iowa Hawkeye won over the doubters with an excellent rookie campaign which included far more playing time than anyone would’ve predicted.
He had 623 snaps across the 16 games he played in and his 64 tackles was the third most on the team behind Barry Church and Rolando McClain. With McClain’s future with the team uncertain and Sean Lee and Justin Durant‘s injury concerns this looks to be a very worthwhile fourth round pick. But which other mid round (rounds 3-5) draft successes have the Cowboys had success with over the last ten years?
Terrance Williams | WR | Round 3 | 2013
On the face of it the Cowboys entered the 2013 draft relatively comfortable at wide receiver. Dez Bryant was the superstar and Miles Austin a capable deputy. Miles ‘the hamstring’ Austin sadly spent too much time on the recovery table. In 2011 he missed six games through injury. When fit he was a productive receiver scoring 32 touchdowns between 2009 and 2012, but when unavailable the Cowboys had little support to Dez.
With 16 touchdowns in his first two season with the team Terrance Williams has proven a worthy pick. Miles was still part of the team in Williams rookie year yet managed just 23 receptions compared to the youngsters 44. Austin departed the team that year and subsequently spent last season with the Cleveland Browns, finishing on injured reserve.
Questions have been asked over Williams tendency to “disappear” for spells during the season. Certainly the 2014 period can be balanced against the emergence of Cole Beasley. On their day, Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams are two of the best wide receiver partnerships in the NFL.
Next: Round 3: Developing Into A Defensive Line Hero