PFF’s choice for the Cowboys worst draft pick is shocking!

Pro Football Focus recently made a shocking choice when it came to determining the Dallas Cowboys worst overall selection in last month’s NFL Draft.

The Dallas Cowboys shocked the world when they drafted Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft last month. Although some were confused by the selection, others praised it as a resurrection of the dominate running game Dallas displayed in 2014.

With their high-second round pick, the Cowboys continued to stun draft analysts and fans alike with the selection of injured linebacker Jaylon Smith out of Notre Dame. This pick, more than any other in the entire draft, was the most divisive.

Smith, who suffered a major knee injury in January, will likely be forced to sit out an entire year before returning to the football field…if at all. A top-five level talent, if the gamble pays off for Dallas than they have a possible All-Pro at linebacker for the next ten years. If it doesn’t pay off, then the Cowboys wasted a very valuable pick.

Regardless of the outcome, the Cowboys failed to immediately address their biggest need, their defense, in either of the first two rounds of the draft. And the fact Smith’s knee injury could be career-threatening likely makes him one of the riskiest picks in NFL history.

So, you’d think most would choose Smith as the Cowboys worst selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. Instead, Pro Football Focus shockingly choose Elliott as Dallas’ worst pick.

"“Worst: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (Rd. 1, No. 4) – Passing over Jalen Ramsey — who also plays a desperate position of need — in favor of a running back isn’t something we can endorse. There’s no doubt Elliott will be successful in Dallas, but so would a handful of other backs in this class.” – Mike Renner, Pro Football Focus"

Not only did PFF choose Elliott as the Cowboys worst selection in April’s draft, they touted the injured Smith as Dallas’ best selection!

The Cowboys certainly failed to address any of their immediate needs in the first two rounds of the draft. The Cowboys already had a 1,000-yard rusher on the depth chart in Darren McFadden. And this offseason they signed two-time Pro Bowler Alfred Morris in free agency. So why add Elliott to the mix?

In Smith, the Cowboys hope they have a future replacement for middle linebacker Rolando McClain. The veteran has signed three straight one-year contracts in Dallas. Although McClain has played well at times, he has yet to prove he’s worthy of a long term deal. If Smith fully recovers, that contract may never come for Rolando.

PFF admits that Elliott will be successful in Dallas. But their argument is that there were a number of other talented running backs available in the later rounds of the draft that could have found  similar success behind the Cowboys dominate offensive line. And those other rookies would not have the onus of the offense placed on their shoulders with entrenched veterans like McFadden and Morris already in place.

Unfortunately, we’ll never know if Pro Football Focus is right about those other rookie runners or not. It’s Elliott’s backfield now.

Next: NFC Scout - Cowboys drafted one of the best players late

Thank you for reading the above article. It’s our sincere hope you’ll visit our site often as we work really hard to provide Cowboys fans with fresh, daily content about their favorite team. Please feel free to take part in further discussions about this topic below in our comment section. All we ask is that each participant is respectful in both their responses and towards others. Thanks again and…Go Cowboys