The Landry Hat
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Dallas Cowboys: 15 best first-round picks of all-time

By John Buhler

30 JAN 1994: RUNNING BACK EMMITT SMITH OF THE DALLAS COWBOYS FLASHES THE NUMBER ONE SIGN DURING THE COWBOYS 30-13 VICTORY OVER THE BUFFALO BILLS IN SUPER BOWL XXVIII AT THE GEORGIA DOME IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. SMITH RUSHED FOR TWO TOUCHDOWNS AND WAS SELECT
30 JAN 1994: RUNNING BACK EMMITT SMITH OF THE DALLAS COWBOYS FLASHES THE NUMBER ONE SIGN DURING THE COWBOYS 30-13 VICTORY OVER THE BUFFALO BILLS IN SUPER BOWL XXVIII AT THE GEORGIA DOME IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. SMITH RUSHED FOR TWO TOUCHDOWNS AND WAS SELECT /
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Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys /

Best first-round draft picks in Dallas Cowboys history: 9. Travis Frederick

While taking Zack Martin over Johnny Manziel in 2014 was a franchise-saving move for the Cowboys, perhaps the first-round selection the year prior set the tone for the new era of Cowboys football? Dallas used its No. 31 overall pick to take center Travis Frederick out of Wisconsin in the 2013 NFL Draft.

It’s was an excellent draft selection for the Cowboys. Frederick never missed a start in his six years with Dallas. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times, was named First-Team All-Pro in 2016 and Second-Team All-Pro in 2014 and 2015.

Keep in mind that he played in the same NFC as other stellar centers like Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles, Alex Mack of the Atlanta Falcons and Max Unger of the New Orleans Saints.

The Cowboys had one of the best rushing attacks in all of football with Frederick. Former starting running back DeMarco Murray had an All-Pro season in 2014 before signing with the arch rival Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 NFL free agency. He recently blocked for 2016 All-Pro Ezekiel Elliott.

If Frederick hadn’t retired in 2020 due to a nerve disorder, he would likely rank much higher on this list.

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