1st & 2nd Day Defensive draft picks since 2010

[Jumbo075]

The Cowboys have spent a lot of high draft resources trying to build a good defense over the past 13 years. They finally have something this year.

2010 - LB Sean Lee
2011 - LB Bruce Carter
2012 - CB, Morris Claiborne, DE/DT Tyrone Crawford
2013 - SS J.J. Wilcox
2014 - DE Demarcus Lawrence
2015 - CB Byron Jones, DE Randy Gregory
2016 - LB Jaylon Smith, DT Malik Collins
2017 - DE Taco Charlton, CB Chidobe Awuzie, CB Jourdan Lewis
2018 - LB Leighton Vander Esch
2019 - DT Trysten Hill
2020 - CB Trevon Diggs, DT Neville Gallimore
2021 - LB Micah Parsons, CB Kelvin Joseph, DT Osa Odighizuwa, DE Chauncey Golston
2022 - DE Sam Williams

There have been a lot of misses along the way. 5 Dline picks in the last 4 years in first 3 rounds.

 

[Bobhaze]

It’s probably no coincidence that starting around 2014 when Will McClay’s input began to take effect, we started seeing major improvements in defensive players drafted.

Even guys who aren’t here any more like Anthony Hitchens, Byron Jones, Randy Gregory, Malik Collins, and Chidobe Awuzie have contributed here then contributed elsewhere to varying degrees.

 

[Diehardblues]

It’s probably no coincidence that starting around 2014 when Will McClay’s input began to take effect, we started seeing major improvements in defensive players drafted.

Even guys who aren’t here any more like Anthony Hitchens, Byron Jones, Randy Gregory, Malik Collins, and Chidobe Awuzie have contributed here then contributed elsewhere to varying degrees.

Yes , although Will actually begun his contributions in 2011 with Garrett. Which those early drafts with them were more focused on offense .

The big misses we've had on defense in draft this era are probably more responsible for this franchise not having more success than any other factor. At least up until now.

And if we don’t get lucky hitting on Parsons , hard to say how much better off we’d be .