Dallas Cowboys past suggests future success in draft
By Tyrone Starr
With a proven track record of successful day two selections this decade, the 2019 draft provides solace to a Dallas Cowboys team void of a first round pick.
By the time the Dallas Cowboys are on the clock for the 2019 NFL Draft, 57 players will be off the board. While it certainly does not mean that the ability to find talent is non-existent, it does make things slightly more difficult.
Thankfully, past history shows that navigating these choppy waters should not be a problem. The Cowboys have exhibited an uncanny knack at procuring talent in rounds two and three of the NFL Draft throughout the entire decade.
No matter what metric you would like to utilize, it’s hard to argue the Cowboys success in this forum. Of the sixteen second or third round selections, only three are not currently on a NFL roster.
One of those three is former running back DeMarco Murray, who amassed over 7,000 rushing yards, scored 55 total touchdowns and led the league in rushing in 2014. Another is receiver Terrance Williams who started 68 games in six years with Dallas.
Only tight end Gavin Escobar, drafted 47th overall in the 2013 Draft, could be considered a true bust. Despite the failures in Dallas of third round offensive tackle Chaz Green, he’s still on someone’s roster. He at least has a chance to resurrect his career.
Ten of the sixteen are still actively on the 2019 Dallas Cowboys roster. That is impressive given that we are talking about an entire decade worth of selections. Two of the players (Murray, Sean Lee) drafted have made All-Pro teams in their career. Three (Murray, Lee, DeMarcus Lawrence) have Pro Bowl appearances.
Beyond that, the future is bright given recent successful second and third round selections such as linebacker Jaylon Smith, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and receiver Michael Gallup. All three have Pro Bowl talent. It could just be a matter of time and health before they earn that distinction.
The Cowboys have done well to mine for top talent like those players and still get guys like offensive lineman Connor Williams, defensive linemen Randy Gregory and Maliek Collins and cornerback Jourdan Lewis. Players like those fill starting spots or premier backup roles that help solidify a roster.
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Friday night, two more players will become Dallas Cowboys via the 58th and 90th picks in the draft. It is a good bet, based on past draft success, that both will be contributors to the roster for years to come.