Cowboys draft missteps: Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve but didn’t

Morris Claiborne trade-up

The Dallas Cowboys had the right idea when they decided to trade up in the 2012 NFL draft but did so in the wrong year and what they left behind was a massive mistake. Claiborne was considered to be the top cornerback in the draft so it is hard to give them so much blame.

Claiborne was a decent player when he wasn’t hurt but the injury bug dominated his time here in Dallas. I always allowed myself to dream but Claiborne did not become the player Dallas envisioned when they traded the 14th and 45th overall selections to move up to the sixth spot to take the LSU corner.

The Rams took who most everyone thought Dallas would take when they selected defensive lineman Micheal Brockers who by the way is still playing well in Los Angeles. It was the second-round pick that they traded for Claiborne that hurts this trade.

The day after drafting Claiborne, Jerry Jones when asked who he would have drafted had they not made the trade for Claiborne replied that the selection would have been Utah State inside linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Instead of having a defense with All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner and defensive lineman Micheal Brockers, who are still playing for their original team, Dallas ended up with Claiborne who coincidentally is also a role player with the Kansas City Chiefs. Claiborne will be looking for his second Super Bowl ring this Sunday while the Cowboys will continue to do what they have done for the past 25 years during Super Bowl Sunday.

The Claiborne trade was initially thought of as a bold move and the Cowboys were applauded for it but sometimes the best moves are the ones that aren’t made.