Dallas Cowboys: 15 best draft-day steals of all-time
By Brad Weiss
Best draft-day steals by the Dallas Cowboys of all-time: 6. Larry Allen
1994 NFL Draft: Round 2, Pick No. 46
Larry Allen had a long road to the NFL, as he was ruled academically ineligible to play Division I football. He had to attend two smaller division schools to get there. After starring at Butte College, Allen made his way to Sonoma State, where he would play well enough to be invited the East-West Shrine Game, and then the Senior Bowl.
Due to a rotator cuff injury, Allen fell in the 1994 NFL Draft, and was not selected until the No. 46 overall selection in the second round. During his NFL career, Allen played all over the offensive line, and played every position extremely well, making it to the Pro Bowl 11 times, including 10 appearances as a member of the Cowboys.
A seven-time First-Team All-Pro, the big fella played a key role on a Cowboys team that defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. That would prove to be his only ring with the team, but that does not diminish just how good a player he was during his long career with America’s Team.
When it comes to offensive linemen, Allen is one of the best to ever play the game. He was rightfully enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame back in 2013. Injuring his rotator cuff prior to the 1994 NFL Draft proved to be a godsend for Allen and the Cowboys, who enjoyed 12 seasons together.
He played two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers to finish out his career, but he will always be known for the work he did while wearing a Cowboys uniform.