Building through the draft?

[coult44]

Over the last few weeks there have been so many debates that have ended, or perhaps are still going on, in which we have all seen or heard the phrase “The Cowboys are building through the draft”. I am in the middle of that debate so much that I wanted to take some time to see just how good The Cowboys are at doing what the Front Office says is the best way to build a successful team. I don’t think it’s worth it to look past 2010 because most from that era are gone anyways. . So for thread size sake, and a realistic look at how the Cowboys draft recently, Let’s look at the Cowboys drafts from 2010-2017.

In total since 2010, the Dallas Cowboys have drafted 63 men. I am going to break these up into four categorical groups.

1) Stars,
2) Starters or Contributors
3) On the Bubble
4) Wasted pick,

I’m not going to dissect every player. Feel free to move them where you feel they should be, or discuss why it’s fair or not fair where I put them. At the end of the exercise, we should all have better insight as to if The Cowboys are, or are not capable, of “building a successful team through the draft”.


1) Stars— Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Tyron Smith, Demarco Murray, Travis Frederick, Zach Martin, Demarcus Lawerence, Zeke Elliott, Dak Prescott,
(9 Total since 2010)

2) Starters or Contributers — Bruce Carter, Mo Claiborne, Tyrone Crawford, Kyle Wilber, Terrance Williams, JJ Wilcox, Dwayne Harris, Anthony Hitchens, Byron Jones, Jaylon Smith, Anthony Brown, Taco,
Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis,
(14 Total since 2010)

3) On the Bubble— Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier, Ryan Switzer, James Hanna, Maliek Collins,
(5 Total since 2010)

Wasted Pick— AOA, Sam Young, Jamar Wall, Sean Lissemore , David Arkin, Josh Thomas, Shawn Chapas,
Bill Nagy, Matt Johnson, Danny Coale, Caleb McSurdy, Gavin Escobar, BW Webb, Joseph Randle, DeVonte Holloman, Devin Street, Ben Gardner, Will Smith, Ahmad Dixon, Ken Bishop, Terrance Mitchell, Randy Gregory, Chaz Green, Damien Wilson, Ryan Russell, Mark Nzeocha,
Lawrence Gipson, Geoff Swaim, Darrius Jackson, Rico Gathers,
Marquez White, Joey Ivey, Noah Brown, Jordan Carrell, Charles Tapper
(35 Total since 2010)

As you can see, these are just the numbers. We could nitpick a little, and change one or two around, it won’t make a huge difference. I am all for those of you who say we should build through the draft. I’m on your side IF the Front Office could draft better than they’ve shown they can. This shows you that when the organization drafts the way the Dallas Cowboys do, you must have a balanced Free Agent section to fill in the gaps.. That’s not saying they have to break the bank on anyone, but it’s saying they must do more than going for the dumpster dives The Jones Family and their friend Will McClay have been doing far too many times.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Over the last few weeks there have been so many debates that have ended, or perhaps are still going on, in which we have all seen or heard the phrase “The Cowboys are building through the draft”. I am in the middle of that debate so much that I wanted to take some time to see just how good The Cowboys are at doing what the Front Office says is the best way to build a successful team. I don’t think it’s worth it to look past 2010 because most from that era are gone anyways. . So for thread size sake, and a realistic look at how the Cowboys draft recently, Let’s look at the Cowboys drafts from 2010-2017.

In total since 2010, the Dallas Cowboys have drafted 63 men. I am going to break these up into four categorical groups.

1) Stars,
2) Starters or Contributors
3) On the Bubble
4) Wasted pick,

I’m not going to dissect every player. Feel free to move them where you feel they should be, or discuss why it’s fair or not fair where I put them. At the end of the exercise, we should all have better insight as to if The Cowboys are, or are not capable, of “building a successful team through the draft”.


1) Stars— Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Tyron Smith, Demarco Murray, Travis Frederick, Zach Martin, Demarcus Lawerence, Zeke Elliott, Dak Prescott,
(9 Total since 2010)

2) Starters or Contributers — Bruce Carter, Mo Claiborne, Tyrone Crawford, Kyle Wilber, Terrance Williams, JJ Wilcox, Dwayne Harris, Anthony Hitchens, Byron Jones, Jaylon Smith, Anthony Brown, Taco,
Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis,
(14 Total since 2010)

3) On the Bubble— Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier, Ryan Switzer, James Hanna, Maliek Collins,
(5 Total since 2010)

Wasted Pick— AOA, Sam Young, Jamar Wall, Sean Lissemore , David Arkin, Josh Thomas, Shawn Chapas,
Bill Nagy, Matt Johnson, Danny Coale, Caleb McSurdy, Gavin Escobar, BW Webb, Joseph Randle, DeVonte Holloman, Devin Street, Ben Gardner, Will Smith, Ahmad Dixon, Ken Bishop, Terrance Mitchell, Randy Gregory, Chaz Green, Damien Wilson, Ryan Russell, Mark Nzeocha,
Lawrence Gipson, Geoff Swaim, Darrius Jackson, Rico Gathers,
Marquez White, Joey Ivey, Noah Brown, Jordan Carrell, Charles Tapper
(35 Total since 2010)

As you can see, these are just the numbers. We could nitpick a little, and change one or two around, it won’t make a huge difference. I am all for those of you who say we should build through the draft. I’m on your side IF the Front Office could draft better than they’ve shown they can. This shows you that when the organization drafts the way the Dallas Cowboys do, you must have a balanced Free Agent section to fill in the gaps.. That’s not saying they have to break the bank on anyone, but it’s saying they must do more than going for the dumpster dives The Jones Family and their friend Will McClay have been doing far too many times.

Good analysis.

And no, the Cowboys are not good enough to build solely from the draft. It is no surprise that over this exact same time frame you list (2010-present) the team has won just a single Wildcard playoff game.

 

[1972COWBOY]

Eventually these players will build from the draft become free agents and we are back to square one. Can't you see the flaw in that strategy. Its a good strategy if you want a fairly good team. But if you want a great SB potential team, you'll have to play the free agent - trade market in today's football meta

 

[ThatJerryKid]

If you had the time I would ask you to do this for all 32 teams and i think that you would see that the Cowboys have been one of the best drafting teams lately. You are also forgetting undrafted free agents like Dan Bailey and La Collins. Add in a find like David Irving and you can build a championship team without overpaying in free agency.

 

[John813]

Guess I'll nitpick but Swaim belongs in #3 or a 4th option of solid depth.
Lissemore was a fine pick in the 7th round and was good rotation/filler for when Ratliff went down . Just didn't fit our shift back to the 4-3. 6 years in the NFL fwiw.
Holloman looked like a good pick, especially where he was selected, just had to retire due to a career ending injury.
Not sure how any pick from last year can be counted as wasted, when they saw time on the field, fwiw.

As for overall point, I agree we need to utilize FA a tad better. We don't need to be super active day 1/2, but we can't have free agents that can't bust as bad as we have seen recently.

 

[charron]

No team can build solely from the draft. But drafted players have to be your core infusion of talent every year. Supplement that with FA players that outperform their deals and a willingness to make trades.

 

[Longboysfan]

No team can build solely from the draft. But drafted players have to be your core infusion of talent every year. Supplement that with FA players that outperform their deals and a willingness to make trades.

Yes. And next year the Cowboys can look to put in a good FA.
This is from the careful use of CAP space by Stephen.

Hopefully we get it done - next year.
Sounds like a broken record....

Next Year...
Next Year...
Next Year...

 

[lukin2006]

Our front office isn’t good enough to build through the draft.

And they aren’t good enough to add solid pieces in free agency...

And come next in FA they will sit on the sidelines...

I’d be real curious what solid football people, Belichick or similar thinks of our roster, what grades would he give. I bet it’s at least 2-3 grades lower than anyone in our FO would give.

Time will tell. The cowboys will win 9-10 games next year, and that’ll justify keeping a below average coach.

 

[Risen Star]

Drafting is like hitting a baseball. Even the best miss more than they hit. Which is why you have to fill in the gaps in FA. No question about it.

 

[Cowboys22]

Someone posted a projected starting lineup a few days ago and with the current roster, they would not be a single free agent signing starting for the Cowboys. The closest would be Irving signed off KC practice squad as a rookie. Everyone else was either drafted or signed as a rookie free agent by Dallas. 9 of 22 were 4th round or later or undrafted. I really think this is a big deal to the front office and McClay.

 

[charron]

Yes. And next year the Cowboys can look to put in a good FA.
This is from the careful use of CAP space by Stephen.

Hopefully we get it done - next year.
Sounds like a broken record....

Next Year...
Next Year...
Next Year...

Maybe...we won't know till then and alot can happen to derail any plans they have.

Dak could regress again.
Dlaw could get hurt again.

We need to be better at assemleing a deeper talented roster. And our coaches have to be able to use that talent.

 

[Established1971]

Over the last few weeks there have been so many debates that have ended, or perhaps are still going on, in which we have all seen or heard the phrase “The Cowboys are building through the draft”. I am in the middle of that debate so much that I wanted to take some time to see just how good The Cowboys are at doing what the Front Office says is the best way to build a successful team. I don’t think it’s worth it to look past 2010 because most from that era are gone anyways. . So for thread size sake, and a realistic look at how the Cowboys draft recently, Let’s look at the Cowboys drafts from 2010-2017.

In total since 2010, the Dallas Cowboys have drafted 63 men. I am going to break these up into four categorical groups.

1) Stars,
2) Starters or Contributors
3) On the Bubble
4) Wasted pick,

I’m not going to dissect every player. Feel free to move them where you feel they should be, or discuss why it’s fair or not fair where I put them. At the end of the exercise, we should all have better insight as to if The Cowboys are, or are not capable, of “building a successful team through the draft”.


1) Stars— Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Tyron Smith, Demarco Murray, Travis Frederick, Zach Martin, Demarcus Lawerence, Zeke Elliott, Dak Prescott,
(9 Total since 2010)

2) Starters or Contributers — Bruce Carter, Mo Claiborne, Tyrone Crawford, Kyle Wilber, Terrance Williams, JJ Wilcox, Dwayne Harris, Anthony Hitchens, Byron Jones, Jaylon Smith, Anthony Brown, Taco,
Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis,
(14 Total since 2010)

3) On the Bubble— Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier, Ryan Switzer, James Hanna, Maliek Collins,
(5 Total since 2010)

Wasted Pick— AOA, Sam Young, Jamar Wall, Sean Lissemore , David Arkin, Josh Thomas, Shawn Chapas,
Bill Nagy, Matt Johnson, Danny Coale, Caleb McSurdy, Gavin Escobar, BW Webb, Joseph Randle, DeVonte Holloman, Devin Street, Ben Gardner, Will Smith, Ahmad Dixon, Ken Bishop, Terrance Mitchell, Randy Gregory, Chaz Green, Damien Wilson, Ryan Russell, Mark Nzeocha,
Lawrence Gipson, Geoff Swaim, Darrius Jackson, Rico Gathers,
Marquez White, Joey Ivey, Noah Brown, Jordan Carrell, Charles Tapper
(35 Total since 2010)

As you can see, these are just the numbers. We could nitpick a little, and change one or two around, it won’t make a huge difference. I am all for those of you who say we should build through the draft. I’m on your side IF the Front Office could draft better than they’ve shown they can. This shows you that when the organization drafts the way the Dallas Cowboys do, you must have a balanced Free Agent section to fill in the gaps.. That’s not saying they have to break the bank on anyone, but it’s saying they must do more than going for the dumpster dives The Jones Family and their friend Will McClay have been doing far too many times.

Id move Damien Wilson and Rico gathers to on the bubble

 

[chicago JK]

I was thinking the other day, if you are seeing a trend of teams using trades with draft picks for targeted players. I think this works if you have extra picks. It is risky, but Philadelphia was very good at this last year. Jeffrey the resigned but I believe they lost a guy or two that they traded for last year who helped them. New England traded a third day pick for Danny Shelton. Shelton is on his last year of his contract (so low salary). They probably won't resign him, even if he plays really well, but they get him for a third round pick and could really help their run defense.

I wonder if the creative franchises will use these trades to pick up players playing on the last year of their deal (so the compensation is low) to target specific players who can make an immediate and meaningful compensation. Note, this would not include trades for high salary players like JPP or Jarvis Landry. Or the late draft swaps to pick up a guy another team was going to cut.

 

[visionary]

Over the last few weeks there have been so many debates that have ended, or perhaps are still going on, in which we have all seen or heard the phrase “The Cowboys are building through the draft”. I am in the middle of that debate so much that I wanted to take some time to see just how good The Cowboys are at doing what the Front Office says is the best way to build a successful team. I don’t think it’s worth it to look past 2010 because most from that era are gone anyways. . So for thread size sake, and a realistic look at how the Cowboys draft recently, Let’s look at the Cowboys drafts from 2010-2017.

In total since 2010, the Dallas Cowboys have drafted 63 men. I am going to break these up into four categorical groups.

1) Stars,
2) Starters or Contributors
3) On the Bubble
4) Wasted pick,

I’m not going to dissect every player. Feel free to move them where you feel they should be, or discuss why it’s fair or not fair where I put them. At the end of the exercise, we should all have better insight as to if The Cowboys are, or are not capable, of “building a successful team through the draft”.


1) Stars— Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Tyron Smith, Demarco Murray, Travis Frederick, Zach Martin, Demarcus Lawerence, Zeke Elliott, Dak Prescott,
(9 Total since 2010)

2) Starters or Contributers — Bruce Carter, Mo Claiborne, Tyrone Crawford, Kyle Wilber, Terrance Williams, JJ Wilcox, Dwayne Harris, Anthony Hitchens, Byron Jones, Jaylon Smith, Anthony Brown, Taco,
Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis,
(14 Total since 2010)

3) On the Bubble— Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier, Ryan Switzer, James Hanna, Maliek Collins,
(5 Total since 2010)

Wasted Pick— AOA, Sam Young, Jamar Wall, Sean Lissemore , David Arkin, Josh Thomas, Shawn Chapas,
Bill Nagy, Matt Johnson, Danny Coale, Caleb McSurdy, Gavin Escobar, BW Webb, Joseph Randle, DeVonte Holloman, Devin Street, Ben Gardner, Will Smith, Ahmad Dixon, Ken Bishop, Terrance Mitchell, Randy Gregory, Chaz Green, Damien Wilson, Ryan Russell, Mark Nzeocha,
Lawrence Gipson, Geoff Swaim, Darrius Jackson, Rico Gathers,
Marquez White, Joey Ivey, Noah Brown, Jordan Carrell, Charles Tapper
(35 Total since 2010)

As you can see, these are just the numbers. We could nitpick a little, and change one or two around, it won’t make a huge difference. I am all for those of you who say we should build through the draft. I’m on your side IF the Front Office could draft better than they’ve shown they can. This shows you that when the organization drafts the way the Dallas Cowboys do, you must have a balanced Free Agent section to fill in the gaps.. That’s not saying they have to break the bank on anyone, but it’s saying they must do more than going for the dumpster dives The Jones Family and their friend Will McClay have been doing far too many times.

Great post
Agree with you
Won't make a bit of difference unfortunately

 

[TwoDeep3]

And in all this build through the draft, how does being a perennial 8-8 team keep the franchise from not picking at the top to have a shot at the premium players factor in?

 

[jterrell]

No offense my man but this was a lot of work to push your agenda.

Essentially all your bubble guys are contributors and a couple are 1st or 2nd year at that.

Free Agency exists solely to cover for mistakes. You draft poorly and you have to add a FA to fill that spot.
Dallas used that for 15 years and failed to ever win anything.
It led to a highly paid top 10% of the roster and a team with zero depth.

Dallas has and will continue to try to add value FA in an effort to bolster the draft but the draft is the primary tool for adding talent in a salary cap world.

 

[xwalker]

Over the last few weeks there have been so many debates that have ended, or perhaps are still going on, in which we have all seen or heard the phrase “The Cowboys are building through the draft”. I am in the middle of that debate so much that I wanted to take some time to see just how good The Cowboys are at doing what the Front Office says is the best way to build a successful team. I don’t think it’s worth it to look past 2010 because most from that era are gone anyways. . So for thread size sake, and a realistic look at how the Cowboys draft recently, Let’s look at the Cowboys drafts from 2010-2017.

In total since 2010, the Dallas Cowboys have drafted 63 men. I am going to break these up into four categorical groups.

1) Stars,
2) Starters or Contributors
3) On the Bubble
4) Wasted pick,

I’m not going to dissect every player. Feel free to move them where you feel they should be, or discuss why it’s fair or not fair where I put them. At the end of the exercise, we should all have better insight as to if The Cowboys are, or are not capable, of “building a successful team through the draft”.
[/QUOTE

1) Stars— Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Tyron Smith, Demarco Murray, Travis Frederick, Zach Martin, Demarcus Lawerence, Zeke Elliott, Dak Prescott,
(9 Total since 2010)

2) Starters or Contributers — Bruce Carter, Mo Claiborne, Tyrone Crawford, Kyle Wilber, Terrance Williams, JJ Wilcox, Dwayne Harris, Anthony Hitchens, Byron Jones, Jaylon Smith, Anthony Brown, Taco,
Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis,
(14 Total since 2010)

3) On the Bubble— Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier, Ryan Switzer, James Hanna, Maliek Collins,
(5 Total since 2010)

Wasted Pick— AOA, Sam Young, Jamar Wall, Sean Lissemore , David Arkin, Josh Thomas, Shawn Chapas,
Bill Nagy, Matt Johnson, Danny Coale, Caleb McSurdy, Gavin Escobar, BW Webb, Joseph Randle, DeVonte Holloman, Devin Street, Ben Gardner, Will Smith, Ahmad Dixon, Ken Bishop, Terrance Mitchell, Randy Gregory, Chaz Green, Damien Wilson, Ryan Russell, Mark Nzeocha,
Lawrence Gipson, Geoff Swaim, Darrius Jackson, Rico Gathers,
Marquez White, Joey Ivey, Noah Brown, Jordan Carrell, Charles Tapper
(35 Total since 2010)

As you can see, these are just the numbers. We could nitpick a little, and change one or two around, it won’t make a huge difference. I am all for those of you who say we should build through the draft. I’m on your side IF the Front Office could draft better than they’ve shown they can. This shows you that when the organization drafts the way the Dallas Cowboys do, you must have a balanced Free Agent section to fill in the gaps.. That’s not saying they have to break the bank on anyone, but it’s saying they must do more than going for the dumpster dives The Jones Family and their friend Will McClay have been doing far too many times.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Cowboys have done a solid job with their foundation. They have key pieces and they have drafted well these past few years. But no, you can't just solely go by the draft or undrafted free agent rookies. Its why we first with greatness but make love to mediocrity.

You can't build from within the draft because by the time those players develop into solid starters or stars....your past veterans are no longer stars and you have more holes to fill. Its going to be a never ending cycle.

 

[jterrell]

One of the key points is the draft is multiplicative.
A guy like Kavon Frazier was a 6th rounder who was not a factor as a rookie, but was as a 2nd year guy and looks primed to take on even larger roles going for.
So

Drafting is like hitting a baseball. Even the best miss more than they hit. Which is why you have to fill in the gaps in FA. No question about it.

No, no, no.
It is like hitting a baseball which is why you have to get yourself more at bats.
See Jimmy Johnson model.

 

[cheyennes]

Is McClain overrated? i think so