Reviewing the Cowboys' last five draft classes: 2011

[Risen Star]

In 2011, the Cowboys had the ninth overall pick in the draft and selected Southern California offensive tackle Tyron Smith. Smith became just the fourth lineman selected by the Cowboys in the first round and the second-highest in team history (John Niland was selected fifth overall in 1966). When it was all over last April, the Cowboys had selected eight players. Two of the team's eight selections - Smith and third-round running back DeMarco Murray from Oklahoma had great impact for the Cowboys during their rookie seasons.

Here's a look at each of the Cowboys' eight players selected in the 2011 draft:

First round: OT Tyron Smith from USC

How he fared: Smith was almost immediately named the Cowboys starting right tackle and he performed well during his rookie season. He was the Cowboys' most consistent offensive lineman last year. He was so good that the Cowboys recently decided to move him to left tackle, switching places with Doug Free. Smith should be a mainstay on the Cowboys' offensive line for many years to come.

How he rates: Good. Having already played well enough to move to left tackle, Smith has been just what the Cowboys expected from him despite being the youngest player in the NFL last year.

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Second round: LB Bruce Carter from North Carolina

How he fared: Carter was supposed to be a mid-first-round pick in the 2011 draft before he suffered a major knee injury late in his senior season at North Carolina. The Cowboys drafted him anyway in the second round, knowing that they wouldn't have a chance to see Carter play to his potential until the 2012 season. Carter missed the Cowboys' first six games last season while continuing to recover from his injury and never made a major impact. He finished his rookie season with eight tackles in 10 games.

How he rates: Fair. It's hard to call Carter a bust yet considering the Cowboys don't really know what they have in him and you certainly can't call him a good pick because he hasn't produced on the field. However, the Cowboys have high hopes that Carter can establish himself as a starting inside linebacker in 2012 alongside Sean Lee.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/ar...ast-fiv-4.html

[arglebargle]

Calling people busts in their first year....right...

I say the author is unclear on the concept.