Looking at the Dallas Cowboys future through the past of the draft
By Tyrone Starr
Now that all of the Dallas Cowboys draft picks for 2018 are set in stone, let’s take a look at what they can expect by looking back to draft’s past.
Last week, each NFL team found out if they were to receive any extra picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. This measure helped finalize the order and number of draft picks all 32 teams will have in April.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am about to bestow some much needed good news regarding your Dallas Cowboys.
After a disappointing season, the Cowboys ended up tied for the most compensatory draft picks awarded. For anyone unaware of what a compensatory pick is, allow me to explain.
Compensatory picks are awarded to teams based on the players they lost and gained in free agency. Depending on the amount of money a team’s free agent signs with their new team for, the old team may receive an additional draft pick between rounds three through seven.
With four extra picks in this year’s draft, Dallas now owns ten total selections. Five of those are within the first 140 picks of a fairly deep draft.
Not only is that helpful, having two picks in rounds 4-6 also provided the Cowboys with some draft capital. If they can find a trade partner, Dallas may be able to move up in earlier rounds.
Assuming they stay put and keep all their picks, what can Dallas expect from their 2018 rookie class? Well, thanks to history and a little bit of research, I have that answer!
Today we will look back at the past decade of the NFL Draft to get an idea of the type of player available in the current Cowboys selection slots.
We all know that ten picks is a nice problem to have. Now it’s time to see the type of player that Dallas fans could expect from such a haul.
The Cowboys first round pick is the 19th overall selection. In 2017, the 19th overall pick was tight end O.J. Howard by Tampa Bay. After a slow start, Howard finished with 432 yards and six touchdowns.
Other notable picks at the spot include Prince Amukamara in 2011, Jeremy Maclin in 2009. While Maclin is probably the best of the decade, the hope is that Dallas can do better or move out of this spot. Ideally, packaging the extra fourth and sixth could get the Cowboys up to 15th.
On the flip side, they could also move down like they did to select Travis Frederick in 2013 and acquire more picks.
The Cowboys next selection is the 50th overall pick. This pick historically has been sort of a dud. In 2015, Buffalo chose cornerback Ronald Darby. Darby eventually was traded to Philadelphia this season, helping them win their first Super Bowl ever.
Another cornerback, Marcus Gilchrist, was the 50th overall pick in 2011. The best pick at this slot in the decade, however, is unquestionably Calais Campbell in 2008. Campbell has 71 sacks in ten seasons and was a Pro Bowler and first team All-Pro in 2017.
If Dallas can land anyone close to the talent level of Campbell with this year’s 50th overall pick, fans will be absolutely giddy.
The next pick of the Cowboys lands at 81st overall. Ironically, this is not the first time Dallas has had this exact pick. In 2012, Tyrone Crawford became a member of the franchise in this very spot.
The only other notable player chosen 81st happens to be Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson.
Four rounds deep, you can still find talent but it becomes fewer and further between. Dallas has two fourth round picks this year, coming in at 116th and 137th overall.
Last year’s rookie sacks leader, Carl Lawson, was chosen 116th overall by Cincinnati. In 2012, the 137th overall selection was none other than Mailk Jackson by the Denver Broncos.
Shockingly, Dallas still has three more picks in the top 200, coming in at 171st, 173rd and 193rd overall. While these seem somewhat irrelevant at first glance, you might be in for a surprise. From 2008 to 2012, there are still 31 players active in the league that include some big names.
Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, Eagles’ center Jason Kelce, and the Cowboys’ own Alfred Morris were all between picks 171 and 193.
Lastly do not sleep on the final two picks that the Dallas Cowboys own. 208th and 236th overall may not sound like much initially but history shows us quality players still are available.
Captain Munnerlyn (216th), Rishard Matthews (227th) and Julian Edelman (232nd) were all drafted in that range.
Ultimately, it would likely best for Dallas to use some of the picks to maneuver into better positions. It’s highly doubtful that the Cowboys will use all ten picks on players to make the team. No team, especially one already as youthful as Dallas, coming off of 22 wins in their last two seasons will have 10 rookies.
Next: Should the Dallas Cowboys pursue Kirk Cousins?
Expect the Cowboys to use no more than seven of these selections but also know this. If they do make some late round picks, talent is available that can help this team both now and in the future.