One thing about this Draft for the Cowboys seems to be about selecting players with a certain type of mean/aggressive mentality. The Jones' and Will McClay mentioned that the were looking to change the mentality of the players due to how they were bullied in the second half of the season and especially in the SF playoff game.
Good point!
I believe that's exactly why they passed on Jermaine Johnson.
People were tired of the talented guys who under-performed the baggage they brought.
There's a long list of players who were seen as great draft picks, talent-wise, but always brought some sort of prima donna schtick that usually negated their talent.
And . . . for example, to highlight the OP's point, Jermaine Johnson is known to be sort of a narcissist, who's father is overbearing and overly involved, who couldn't cut the minimum academic requirements to play anywhere other than Junior College.
Still, to this day, he's known for loving himself, being a ham, loving attention, and thinks his crap doesn't stink, because of his dad. At least in this regard.
That's actually in his scouting report, by the way.
And that's why so many teams passed on the "top 10" talent.
I know some may bring up Sam Williams. But his interviews, and reports on him, are that he likely understands the gravity of his actions and attitude and that he's trying to put it all behind him, and put his best foot forward.
We also didn't burn a first rounder on WIlliams. We went with a guy with excellent character traits.
Historically, it's not the flashiest teams who're winning in the playoffs. It's the most disciplined, functioning, well-coached teams that end up making it through to the end.
So, yeah, I believe you are right. And I dig this strategy, for a change.
The people overly-criticizing would rather see us doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. That's been a knock on Jerry for decades now. It took years and years of getting burned time after time, again and again, but he's finally doing something different.. for a change.