2014 NFL Draft Grades: Cowboys Win The NFC East

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Of the ten graders here, four have the Cowboys with the best grade (NFL.com, SBNation, Star-Telegram, Detroit News) in the NFC East, four more have the Cowboys with the second-best grade (both CBSSports grades, Kiper, Yahoosports), and two more (SI.com, DMN) have them ranked third in the division.

Sum it all up, and the Cowboys rank first ahead of the Eagles, followed by the Giants and the Commanders.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014/5/11/5706384/2014-nfl-draft-grades-cowboys-win-the-nfc-east

 

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Dallas Cowboys

16. Zack Martin, guard/tackle, Notre Dame.
34. Demarcus Lawrence, defensive end, Boise State.
119. Anthony Hitchens, linebacker, Iowa.
146. Devin Street, wide receiver, Pittsburgh.
231. Ben Gardner, defensive end, Stanford.
238. Will Smith, linebacker, Texas Tech.
248. Ahmad Dixon, safety, Baylor.
251. Ken Bishop, defensive tackle, Northern Illinois.
254. Terrance Mitchell, cornerback, Oregon.

Overview: The Martin pick put the finishing touches on one of the best offensive lines in football. I'm also a big fan of Lawrence's potential and scheme fit under new DC Rod Marinelli. After signing Henry Melton in free agency and drafting the ultra-productive Boise pass rusher, Dallas finally has some D-Line credibility. I was disappointed in middle-rounders Hitchens and Street, the former of whom I expect to max out as an NFL special teamer, and the latter of whom I think will be exposed as a good college player who lacked necessary traits to become a productive pro. Round-seven stabs on Gardner, Dixon, Bishop, and particularly Mitchell all offered value and were very much worthwhile. My opinion on the 2014 Cowboys hasn't suddenly changed -- I still expect them to play top-five offense and struggle on defense -- but I think this was a fine draft.

Grade: B-

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/47166/174/draft-2014-nfc-draft-grades