CFZ Cowboys Oline drafting history

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1989 thru 2003

Tackles drafted - Erik Williams (91), James Brown (92), Ron Stone (93), Larry Allen (94), Shane Hannah (95), Flozell Adams (98), Oliver Ross (98), Solomon Page (99), Char-ron Dorsey (01)

Guards drafted - Steve Wisniewski (89 - draft day traded to Raiders for FB Moose Johnston, DE Rhondy Weston & DT Jeff Roth), James Richards (91), Mike Sullivan (91), Sean Love (91), Tom Myslinski (92), Rod Milstead (92), John Terry (92), Kenneth McDaniel (96), Steve Scifres (97), Antonio Fleming (98), Kelvin Garmin (99), Tyson Walter (03), Justin Bates (03)

Centers drafted - Mark Stepnoski ('89), Clay Shiver (96), Matt Lehr (01), Andre Gurode (02), Al Johnson (03)

From 1989 through 2003, the Cowboys drafted 13 college offensive guards, but the only offensive guard the Cowboys drafted from college that made a Pro Bowl was a pre-pick draft day trade of Steve Wisniewski. They drafted 9 college Tackles. 2 made the Pro Bowl as Tackles in the NFL and 2 other college tackles who made the Pro Bowl as Guards in the NFL, including Hall of Fame Larry Allen. They also drafted 5 centers, including 2 Pro Bowl players.

2004 thru 2023

Tackles drafted - Jacob Rogers (04), Rob Petitti (05), Pat McQuistan (06), James Marten (07), Doug Free (07), Robert Brewster (09), Sam Young (10), Tyron Smith (11), Zack Martin (14), Chaz Green (15), Laurence Gibson (15), Connor Williams (18), Josh Ball (21), Tyler Smith (22), Matt Waletzko (22), Asim Richards (23)

Guards drafted - Stephen Peterman (04), David Arkin (11)

Centers drafted - E.J. Whitley (06), Bill Nagy (11), Travis Frederick (13), Connor McGovern (19), Tyler Biadasz (20), Matt Farniok (21)

The Cowboys changed their strategy for drafting Offensive Linemen after 2003. Since then, they've only drafted 2 college offensive guards and even though they were drafted in the 3rd and 4th rounds, both were complete busts, never taking a snap in the regular season of the NFL. But they've drafted 16 college offensive tackles, and 5 college centers. They've drafted 4 Pro Bowl players, including 2 tackles and 2 Centers. 1 tackle and 1 center they've drafted are still playing in the NFL for other teams, both as offensive guards.

Bottom Line

The Cowboys have drafted 14 college offensive guards to play for them since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989. None, absolutely zero of them, have become NFL contributors. In that same time, they've drafted a bunch of college offensive tackles, including 6 who have become Pro Bowl players. 3 of those played Guard in the NFL. It is too soon to know if Tyler Smith will become a Pro Bowl player, and we still don't know if he'll make it as a Guard or Tackle. They've also drafted 4 Pro Bowl Centers.

There is a reason the Cowboys don't waste draft picks on college offensive guards anymore. They only draft Centers and Tackles. Their Offensive Guard supply comes from the ranks of Centers and Tackles who convert to Guard in the NFL. So, if you are mourning because the Cowboys didn't draft Steve Avila or O'Cyrus Torrence this past April, maybe reconsider your position based on the actual history of Cowboys in drafting Offensive Linemen.

 

[CCBoy]

Larry Allen...and in the 1990's the team hit gold on other team discards and unknown drafted linemen...

Players are now physically large and with attitudes, or very experienced in the interior along with center experienced.

 

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Larry Allen...and in the 1990's the team hit gold on other team discards and unknown drafted linemen...

LA was a Tackle in college. He played Right Tackle in his rookie year in replacement of injured Erik Williams, and played one year at Left Tackle after Mark Tuinei retired. The Cowboys converted him to Guard, just like they did other Pro Bowl college tackles Ron Stone and Zack Martin.

 

[CCBoy]

LA was a Tackle in college. He played Right Tackle in his rookie year in replacement of injured Erik Williams, and played one year at Left Tackle after Mark Tuinei retired. The Cowboys converted him to Guard, just like they did other Pro Bowl college tackles Ron Stone and Zack Martin.

Think he had a tackle or guard body?

Guard and he fit the mold there strongly at all job requirements.

Noted for extention or power?

 

[big dog cowboy]

So, if you are mourning because the Cowboys didn't draft Steve Avila or O'Cyrus Torrence this past April

Not for one single second.

Very nice write up!

 

[joseephuss]

Steve Wisniewski vs Moose Johnston

How different are the 90s Cowboys if they don't trade away Wisniewski? He was a very good guard. Two time all-pro and 8 time pro-bowler who played a long time(206 games). He would have done well had Dallas retained him. Johnson definitely was important to the Cowboys' rushing attack. Perhaps Wisniewski was the better NFL player, but Johnston was the better fit and need. Certainly can't complain how things worked out for Dallas with that trade.

 

[CCBoy]

Right now it appears that the tight end positional group is a step above what Bill Parcells was aiming for when he was with Dallas.

 

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Steve Wisniewski vs Moose Johnston

How different are the 90s Cowboys if they don't trade away Wisniewski? He was a very good guard. Two time all-pro and 8 time pro-bowler who played a long time(206 games). He would have done well had Dallas retained him. Johnson definitely was important to the Cowboys' rushing attack. Perhaps Wisniewski was the better NFL player, but Johnston was the better fit and need. Certainly can't complain how things worked out for Dallas with that trade.

They already had in place a trade for the Raiders 2nd, 3rd, and 5th round picks, but just needed time to get it finalized and approved by the NFL. Wisniewski was a Cowboy for less than 10 minutes. The Cowboys never drafted Wisniewski for themselves. They already had Newton and Gogan. They didn't want Wisnieski; they wanted more draft picks. They moved down 12 spots in the 2nd round, and picked up an extra 3rd and 5th round pick. Those ended up being wasted picks, but while Wisniewski was technically drafted by the Cowboys, he was the Raiders pick, and they were trading up to get him.

It's kind of like how the Chargers drafted Eli Manning, but he only ever played for the Giants, or how the Hornets technically drafted Kobe Bryant, but he only ever played for the Lakers, or how the Bucks drafted Stephon Marbury, and immediately traded him to the Timberwolves. If the Cowboys had kept the pick, they wouldn't have taken Wisniewski. He was picked, immediately traded, and then the Cowboys picked again only 12 picks later, using the Raiders' traded pick.