6 star players the Cowboys could have drafted in the past 5 years

4. Nick Bolton, LB: Pick No. 58, 2021 NFL Draft (Cowboys took Kelvin Joseph pick No. 44)

In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cowboys wound up with a new defensive leader as well as two other big-time contributors. In Round 1, they landed Micah Parsons, who has 26.5 sacks in his first two seasons.

They also added Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston in the third round. Odighizuwa has been a fixture on the defensive line and Golston has proven to be an underrated — and versatile — rotational lineman. However, the team's second-round pick left a lot to be desired.

At No. 44 overall, Dallas took Kelvin Joseph who has yet to develop into a trusted player. Making matters worse, there was a star linebacker taken just 14 picks later.

Missouri's Nick Bolton has 292 tackles over the past two seasons — including 180 last year. He was also a star in the Kansas City Chiefs win over the Philadelphia Eagles scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery. He almost had a second as well, although that play was called back.

Dallas likely didn't have Bolton on the radar after taking Parsons in Round 1 but knowing how elite Parsons is at attacking the quarterback, they would have been able to use both players — and it would have made their defense borderline elite.

Another option at this spot would have been Creed Humphrey, as the Chiefs knocked it out of the park in Round 2 by adding him as well at pick No. 63. Dallas is happy with Tyler Biadisz but Humphrey has been much better and if one could play guard, that would be a huge win.