Dallas Cowboys: A review of the 2015 rookie class
Aug 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) celebrates scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Lucky Whitehead (13) and tight end Geoff Swaim (87) against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Round 7: Laurence Gibson, OT
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If the Cowboys had known they would pick up a first round talent like La’el Collins as an undrafted free agent perhaps they wouldn’t have spent two picks on arguably the most talent area of their team- the offensive line.
The Cowboys were unable to find room for Gibson on their final roster, but when cutting probably would’ve been looking to add him to the practice squad. He failed to clear waivers though and currently resides upon the practice squad of the Chiefs.
Round 7: Geoff Swaim, TE
With the draft about to wrap up, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones couldn’t resist one last gamble and they traded back up into the seventh round for the tight end from Texas.
Again Swaim is a pick that was made on athletic ability as much as anything. At Texas he was predominantly used as a blocker, targeted just 13 times in his two year college career.
There’s evident similarities between Swaim and the Cowboys resident blocking tight end James Hanna. And it should be noted that only one of the two features on gameday- never both. While Hanna was injured in weeks 2 and 5, Swaim played 23 snaps. For the three other games Hanna was involved for 37.
With Hanna’s contract up in 2016 Swaim could be playing to replace him.
Overall
Once again under Jason Garrett, the Cowboys seem to have had a very solid draft. It’s clear they have three first round caliber talents in Jones, Gregory and the undrafted Collins; all of whom will benefit this team for a considerable time.
Yet maybe the decision to draft Chaz Green over a running back, or opting to pick two linebackers is something that they would do differently given the chance again. Let’s look back on the rookies and the end of the season, and see whether our opinions have altered at all by then.