Just how good have the Dallas Cowboys been in the draft?
By Tyrone Starr
Here are the ten best teams over the past five years at drafting in the first three rounds:
1. Los Angeles Rams – 13 draft picks, 324.5 total points
Best pick: DL Aaron Donald – 2014, Rd 1, Pick 13
Worst pick: RB Tre Mason – 2014, Rd 3, Pick 75
2. Dallas Cowboys – 14 draft picks, 316 total points
Best pick: OL Zack Martin – 2014, Rd 1, Pick 16
Worst pick: OL Chaz Green – 2015, Rd 3, Pick 91
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – 16 draft picks, 308 total points
Best pick: OL Brandon Linder – 2014, Rd 3, Pick 93
Worst pick: DL Dante Fowler – 2015, Rd 1, Pick 3
4. Kansas City Chiefs – 14 draft picks, 278.5 total points
Best pick: RB Kareem Hunt – 2017, Rd 3, Pick 86
Worst pick: CB KeiVarae Russell – 2016, Rd 3, Pick 74
5. New Orleans Saints – 16 draft picks, 252 total points
Best pick: RB Alvin Kamara – 2017, Rd 3, Pick 67
Worst pick: LB Stephone Anthony – 2015, Rd 1, Pick 31
6. New York Giants – 14 draft picks, 247 total points
Best pick: S Landon Collins – 2015, Rd 2, Pick 33
Worst pick: DL Owamagbe Odighizuwa – 2015, Rd 3, Pick 74
7. Carolina Panthers – 15 draft picks, 245.5 total points
Best pick: OL Trai Turner – 2014, Rd 3, Pick 92
Worst pick: DL Daeshon Hall – 2017, Rd 3, Pick 77
8. Oakland Raiders – 16 draft picks, 245.5 total points
Best pick: QB Derek Carr – 2014, Rd 2, Pick 36
Worst pick: DL Shilique Calhoun – 2016, Rd 3, Pick 75
9. Minnesota Vikings – 13 draft picks, 194 total points
Best pick: LB Anthony Barr – 2014, Rd 1, Pick 9
Worst pick: DL Scott Crichton – 2016, Rd 3, Pick 72
10. Houston Texans – 16 draft picks, 191.5 total points
Best pick: DL Jadeveon Clowney – 2014, Rd 1, Pick 1
Worst pick: DL Louis Nix – 2014, Rd 3, Pick 83
As you can see, the Dallas Cowboys have done an amazing job at acquiring young, cheap and talented players. Even without a first round pick this year, it’s hard to imagine they do not land another solid contributor in rounds two and three.