Cowboys Roster by NFL Draft Pedigree

[Jumbo075]

1st round picks (12) – OLB Von Miller 2nd (2011 Broncos), DT Quinnen Williams 3rd (2019 Jets), S Caleb Downs 11th (2026), OLB Rashan Gary 12th (2019 Packers), OG Tyler Booker 12th (2025), OT Broderick Jones 14th (2023 Steelers), S Malik Hooker 15th (2017 Colts), WR CeeDee Lamb 17th (2020), OLB Malachi Lawrence 23rd (2026), OG Tyler Smith 24th (2022), DT Kenny Clark 27th (2016 Packers), OT Tyler Guyton 29th (2024)

2nd round picks (5) – RB Javonte Williams 35th (2021 Broncos), WR Jonathan Mingo 39th (2023 Panthers), OLB Donovan Ezeiraku 44th (2025), WR George Pickens 52nd (2022 Steelers), TE Luke Schoonmaker 58th (2023)

3rd round picks (6) – P Bryan Anger 70th (2012 Jaguars), DT Jonathan Bullard 72nd (2016 Bears) OC Cooper Beebe 73rd (2024), CB Shavon Revel 76th (2025), LB DeMarvion Overshown 90th (2023), Jaishawn Barham 92nd (2026)

4th round picks (5) – OT Drew Shelton 112th (2026), TE Jake Ferguson 129th (2022), QB Dak Prescott 135th (2016), DT L.T. Overton 137th (2026), CB Cobie Durant 142nd (2022 Rams)

5th round picks (6) – QB Sam Howell 144th (2022 Commanders), LB Shemar James 152nd (2025), DT Otito Ogbonnia 160th (2022 Chargers), CB DaRon Bland 167th (2022), CB Caelon Carson 174th (2024), S Jalen Thompson supplemental (2019 – Cardinals)

6th round picks (5) – OT Ajani Cornelius 204th (2025), CB Ameer Speed 214th (2023 Patriots), LB Dee Winters 216th (2023 49ers), WR Ryan Flournoy 216th (2024), James Houston 217th (2022 Lions)

7th round picks (0) – none

Undrafted Free Agents (14) – LS Trent Sieg (2018 Raiders), S P.J. Locke (2019 Broncos), OT Terence Steele (2020), PK Brandon Aubrey (2022), S Markquese Bell (2022), RB Malik Davis (2022), Kavonte Turpin (2022), OG T.J. Bass (2023), RB Emari Demercado (2023 Cardinals), FB Hunter Luepke (2023), OLB Tyrus Wheat (2023), Brevyn Spann-Ford (2024), S Alijah Clark (2025), WR Camden Brown (2026)

 

[big dog cowboy]

5th round picks (6)
6th round picks (5)
7th round picks (0)

Undrafted Free Agents (14)

More UDFA's than 5th, 6th and 7th round picks combined???

Is that bad scouting or good scouting?

 

[Jumbo075]

21 players who started with other teams, 32 players who started with the Cowboys.

 

[slick325]

Collecting talent is a 365 day, 24/7 deal for Jerry and Stephen Jones. If this doesn't prove it to people, I don't know what will.

Cowboys!

 

[Jumbo075]

More UDFA's than 5th, 6th and 7th round picks combined???

Is that bad scouting or good scouting?

It is always that way. Look at the odds. The Cowboys and other teams get about 100-110 players selected in the 5th through 7th rounds each year, but get probably 300 players undrafted each year. It shows that 5th through 7th round players are not significantly different than undrafted players in quality. I would argue that after the top 100-120 players selected each year, it is pretty much a crap shoot. Just by volume alone, you are just as likely to find undrafted players on the roster as anyone selected on day 3 of the draft. Undrafted players outnumber players drafted on Day 3 by about 3-1, so more undrafted players get cut, but there are more of them left over that make teams than Day 3 picks.

16 players on the team from rounds 4-7. 14 players on the team that were undrafted. It's about even. But you're still 2-3 times more likely to get cut as an undrafted player simply because there are 2-3 times more undrafted players than players selected in rounds 4-7.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

More UDFA's than 5th, 6th and 7th round picks combined???

Is that bad scouting or good scouting?

Well....remember that you typically get one pick in each of those rounds unless trades or what not. So in a typical year that is 3 players coming to your team. Most years we have anywhere between 10 and 20 udfa that are brought to camp. There often isn't a whole lot of difference in draft profiles for those guys. So the fact that there are so many more UDFA that could make the team it isn't surprising to me that they have a higher number.

It is more surprising to me that we have about the same numbers from rounds 2 through 6. I would think the disparity would be greater in those areas. You usually are counting on 2nd rounders to make the team and be starters....not so much with 6th rounders but it isn't showing in the numbers in Dallas. Not sure if that is a league wide result or not.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

It is always that way. Look at the odds. The Cowboys and other teams get about 100-110 players selected in the 5th through 7th rounds each year, but get probably 300 players undrafted each year. It shows that 5th through 7th round players are not significantly different than undrafted players in quality. I would argue that after the top 100-120 players selected each year, it is pretty much a crap shoot. Just by volume alone, you are just as likely to find undrafted players on the roster as anyone selected on day 3 of the draft. Undrafted players outnumber players drafted on Day 3 by about 3-1, so more undrafted players get cut, but there are more of them left over that make teams than Day 3 picks.

16 players on the team from rounds 4-7. 14 players on the team that were undrafted. It's about even. But you're still 2-3 times more likely to get cut as an undrafted player simply because there are 2-3 times more undrafted players than players selected in rounds 4-7.

Beat me to it.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

More UDFA's than 5th, 6th and 7th round picks combined???

Is that bad scouting or good scouting?

Neither. Those are the players you need to fill out the back end of the roster and playing special teams.

Who do you want chasing down punt returners? Markquese Bell and Hunter Luepke or Caleb Downs and Javonte Williams?

 

[big dog cowboy]

The Cowboys and other teams get about 100-110 players selected in the 5th through 7th rounds each year, but get probably 300 players undrafted each year. It shows that 5th through 7th round players are not significantly different than undrafted players in quality. Just by volume alone, you are just as likely to find undrafted players on the roster as anyone selected on day 3 of the draft.

I agree to a point. Players drafted should be better and have a better chance of making the team though.

 

[VaqueroTD]

1st round picks (12) – OLB Von Miller 2nd (2011 Broncos), DT Quinnen Williams 3rd (2019 Jets), S Caleb Downs 11th (2026), OLB Rashan Gary 12th (2019 Packers), OG Tyler Booker 12th (2025), OT Broderick Jones 14th (2023 Steelers), S Malik Hooker 15th (2017 Colts), WR CeeDee Lamb 17th (2020), OLB Malachi Lawrence 23rd (2026), OG Tyler Smith 24th (2022), DT Kenny Clark 27th (2016 Packers), OT Tyler Guyton 29th (2024)

2nd round picks (5) – RB Javonte Williams 35th (2021 Broncos), WR Jonathan Mingo 39th (2023 Panthers), OLB Donovan Ezeiraku 44th (2025), WR George Pickens 52nd (2022 Steelers), TE Luke Schoonmaker 58th (2023)

3rd round picks (6) – P Bryan Anger 70th (2012 Jaguars), DT Jonathan Bullard 72nd (2016 Bears) OC Cooper Beebe 73rd (2024), CB Shavon Revel 76th (2025), LB DeMarvion Overshown 90th (2023), Jaishawn Barham 92nd (2026)

4th round picks (5) – OT Drew Shelton 112th (2026), TE Jake Ferguson 129th (2022), QB Dak Prescott 135th (2016), DT L.T. Overton 137th (2026), CB Cobie Durant 142nd (2022 Rams)

5th round picks (6) – QB Sam Howell 144th (2022 Commanders), LB Shemar James 152nd (2025), DT Otito Ogbonnia 160th (2022 Chargers), CB DaRon Bland 167th (2022), CB Caelon Carson 174th (2024), S Jalen Thompson supplemental (2019 – Cardinals)

6th round picks (5) – OT Ajani Cornelius 204th (2025), CB Ameer Speed 214th (2023 Patriots), LB Dee Winters 216th (2023 49ers), WR Ryan Flournoy 216th (2024), James Houston 217th (2022 Lions)

7th round picks (0) – none

Undrafted Free Agents (14) – LS Trent Sieg (2018 Raiders), S P.J. Locke (2019 Broncos), OT Terence Steele (2020), PK Brandon Aubrey (2022), S Markquese Bell (2022), RB Malik Davis (2022), Kavonte Turpin (2022), OG T.J. Bass (2023), RB Emari Demercado (2023 Cardinals), FB Hunter Luepke (2023), OLB Tyrus Wheat (2023), Brevyn Spann-Ford (2024), S Alijah Clark (2025), WR Camden Brown (2026)

I never realized that Anger was a 3rd round pick, always thought he was an UDFA. Thanks Jags for taking the hit on that one and setting it up for us.

There was another year like this season with almost all starters as first rounders. Might have been the 13-3 year they blew against the Giants? Or the one good year we got from McClain at LB?

 

[Jumbo075]

1st round picks (12) – OLB Von Miller 2nd (2011 Broncos), DT Quinnen Williams 3rd (2019 Jets), S Caleb Downs 11th (2026), OLB Rashan Gary 12th (2019 Packers), OG Tyler Booker 12th (2025), OT Broderick Jones 14th (2023 Steelers), S Malik Hooker 15th (2017 Colts), WR CeeDee Lamb 17th (2020), OLB Malachi Lawrence 23rd (2026), OG Tyler Smith 24th (2022), DT Kenny Clark 27th (2016 Packers), OT Tyler Guyton 29th (2024)

2nd round picks (5) – RB Javonte Williams 35th (2021 Broncos), WR Jonathan Mingo 39th (2023 Panthers), OLB Donovan Ezeiraku 44th (2025), WR George Pickens 52nd (2022 Steelers), TE Luke Schoonmaker 58th (2023)

3rd round picks (6) – P Bryan Anger 70th (2012 Jaguars), DT Jonathan Bullard 72nd (2016 Bears) OC Cooper Beebe 73rd (2024), CB Shavon Revel 76th (2025), LB DeMarvion Overshown 90th (2023), Jaishawn Barham 92nd (2026)

4th round picks (5) – OT Drew Shelton 112th (2026), TE Jake Ferguson 129th (2022), QB Dak Prescott 135th (2016), DT L.T. Overton 137th (2026), CB Cobie Durant 142nd (2022 Rams)

5th round picks (6) – QB Sam Howell 144th (2022 Commanders), LB Shemar James 152nd (2025), DT Otito Ogbonnia 160th (2022 Chargers), CB DaRon Bland 167th (2022), CB Caelon Carson 174th (2024), S Jalen Thompson supplemental (2019 – Cardinals)

6th round picks (5) – OT Ajani Cornelius 204th (2025), CB Ameer Speed 214th (2023 Patriots), LB Dee Winters 216th (2023 49ers), WR Ryan Flournoy 216th (2024), James Houston 217th (2022 Lions)

7th round picks (0) – none

Undrafted Free Agents (14) – LS Trent Sieg (2018 Raiders), S P.J. Locke (2019 Broncos), OT Terence Steele (2020), PK Brandon Aubrey (2022), S Markquese Bell (2022), RB Malik Davis (2022), Kavonte Turpin (2022), OG T.J. Bass (2023), RB Emari Demercado (2023 Cardinals), FB Hunter Luepke (2023), OLB Tyrus Wheat (2023), Brevyn Spann-Ford (2024), S Alijah Clark (2025), WR Camden Brown (2026)

Just looking at the offensive (11 or 12 personnel group) and defensive starters (standard 3-4 and nickel formations), all of the starters are draft picks.

QB - 4th round pick - Dak Prescott
RB - 2nd round pick - Javonte Williams
WR - 1st round pick - CeeDee Lamb
WR - 2nd round pick - George Pickens
WR - 6th round pick - Ryan Flournoy
TE - 4th round pick - Jake Ferguson
TE - 2nd round pick - Luke Schoonmaker
LT - 1st round pick - Tyler Guyton
LG - 1st round pick - Tyler Smith
C - 3rd round pick - Cooper Beebe
RG - 1st round pick - Tyler Booker
RT - 1st round pick - Broderick Jones (assuming Jones beats out Steele)

DL - 1st round pick - Quinnen Williams
NT - 5th round pick - Otito Ogbonnia
DL - 1st round pick - Kenny Clark
OLB - 1st round pick - Rashan Gary
ILB - 3rd round pick - DeMarvion Overshown
ILB - 5th round pick - Dee Winters
OLB - 2nd round pick - Donovan Eezeiraku
LCB - 4th round pick - Cobie Durant
RCB - 5th round pick - DaRon Bland
NB - 1st round pick - Caleb Downs
SS - 5th round pick - Jalen Thompson
FS - 1st round pick - Malik Hooker

 

[Jumbo075]

I agree to a point. Players drafted should be better and have a better chance of making the team though.

In 2026, the Cowboys had 4 draft picks in rounds 4 through 7. 50% of them made the team. (DT L.T. Overton and OT Drew Shelton)

In 2026, the Cowobys had 12 undrafted college free agents sign with the team. 8.3% of them made the team (WR Camden Brown)

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

On a normal team it’ll typically descend pretty evenly between rounds until you get to the middle of day 3 where it can get screwy. 1st round should be the most, 2nd round second most, 3rd round third most, etc

But here, 2nd round is tied for the fewest players, and only 2(!) were actually drafted by Dallas. All the others are already gone. That should never happen. Weird second round drafting thing is real, they simply don’t perceive it as a premium pick and continue to take weird risks.

 

[lkelly]

On a normal team it’ll typically descend pretty evenly between rounds until you get to the middle of day 3 where it can get screwy. 1st round should be the most, 2nd round second most, 3rd round third most, etc

But here, 2nd round is tied for the fewest players, and only 2(!) were actually drafted by Dallas. All the others are already gone. That should never happen. Weird second round drafting thing is real, they simply don’t perceive it as a premium pick and continue to take weird risks.

This past draft Dallas didn't have a pick in the 2nd round. The 2025 second round pick is on the roster. The 2024 second round pick is deceased. The 2023 second round pick is still on the roster. The 2022 pick played out 4 years in Dallas, signed a 1 year deal for 2026 but didn't make the team. 2021 was a true bust. 2020 signed an expensive extension and was released following injury and a big drop in performance.

I wouldn't say it's been a complete wasteland, but a mix of either not having a selection (traded for a premium player), a sad personal tragedy, and your standard attrition for typical reasons.

 

[John813]

More UDFA's than 5th, 6th and 7th round picks combined???

Is that bad scouting or good scouting?

One thing I remember from articles/passing tweets from legit sources is that by the end of round 6, the draft at that point usually becomes securing a guy who you don't want to get into a bidding war/lose out to in UDFA.
So, a 6th/7th round pick prospect talent wise can be no better than the UDFA that follow the draft. Except, you eliminate the chance of that player choosing another team, even if you were to offer more money.

Add in some of the UDFA guys are ST/niche guys, they count, but long snappers, punters, FB, even de-valued RBs etc are typically UDFA level players these days.

 

[jazzcat22]

Looks like a winning roster.

 

[Jarntt]

More UDFA's than 5th, 6th and 7th round picks combined???

Is that bad scouting or good scouting?

Probably just more a pure numbers thing. How many 5th, 6th and 7th rounders vs UDFAs each year

 

[Jarntt]

1st round picks (12) – OLB Von Miller 2nd (2011 Broncos), DT Quinnen Williams 3rd (2019 Jets), S Caleb Downs 11th (2026), OLB Rashan Gary 12th (2019 Packers), OG Tyler Booker 12th (2025), OT Broderick Jones 14th (2023 Steelers), S Malik Hooker 15th (2017 Colts), WR CeeDee Lamb 17th (2020), OLB Malachi Lawrence 23rd (2026), OG Tyler Smith 24th (2022), DT Kenny Clark 27th (2016 Packers), OT Tyler Guyton 29th (2024)

2nd round picks (5) – RB Javonte Williams 35th (2021 Broncos), WR Jonathan Mingo 39th (2023 Panthers), OLB Donovan Ezeiraku 44th (2025), WR George Pickens 52nd (2022 Steelers), TE Luke Schoonmaker 58th (2023)

3rd round picks (6) – P Bryan Anger 70th (2012 Jaguars), DT Jonathan Bullard 72nd (2016 Bears) OC Cooper Beebe 73rd (2024), CB Shavon Revel 76th (2025), LB DeMarvion Overshown 90th (2023), Jaishawn Barham 92nd (2026)

4th round picks (5) – OT Drew Shelton 112th (2026), TE Jake Ferguson 129th (2022), QB Dak Prescott 135th (2016), DT L.T. Overton 137th (2026), CB Cobie Durant 142nd (2022 Rams)

5th round picks (6) – QB Sam Howell 144th (2022 Commanders), LB Shemar James 152nd (2025), DT Otito Ogbonnia 160th (2022 Chargers), CB DaRon Bland 167th (2022), CB Caelon Carson 174th (2024), S Jalen Thompson supplemental (2019 – Cardinals)

6th round picks (5) – OT Ajani Cornelius 204th (2025), CB Ameer Speed 214th (2023 Patriots), LB Dee Winters 216th (2023 49ers), WR Ryan Flournoy 216th (2024), James Houston 217th (2022 Lions)

7th round picks (0) – none

Undrafted Free Agents (14) – LS Trent Sieg (2018 Raiders), S P.J. Locke (2019 Broncos), OT Terence Steele (2020), PK Brandon Aubrey (2022), S Markquese Bell (2022), RB Malik Davis (2022), Kavonte Turpin (2022), OG T.J. Bass (2023), RB Emari Demercado (2023 Cardinals), FB Hunter Luepke (2023), OLB Tyrus Wheat (2023), Brevyn Spann-Ford (2024), S Alijah Clark (2025), WR Camden Brown (2026)

Interesting thanks for posting

 

[Whyjerry]

1st round picks (12) – OLB Von Miller 2nd (2011 Broncos), DT Quinnen Williams 3rd (2019 Jets), S Caleb Downs 11th (2026), OLB Rashan Gary 12th (2019 Packers), OG Tyler Booker 12th (2025), OT Broderick Jones 14th (2023 Steelers), S Malik Hooker 15th (2017 Colts), WR CeeDee Lamb 17th (2020), OLB Malachi Lawrence 23rd (2026), OG Tyler Smith 24th (2022), DT Kenny Clark 27th (2016 Packers), OT Tyler Guyton 29th (2024)

2nd round picks (5) – RB Javonte Williams 35th (2021 Broncos), WR Jonathan Mingo 39th (2023 Panthers), OLB Donovan Ezeiraku 44th (2025), WR George Pickens 52nd (2022 Steelers), TE Luke Schoonmaker 58th (2023)

3rd round picks (6) – P Bryan Anger 70th (2012 Jaguars), DT Jonathan Bullard 72nd (2016 Bears) OC Cooper Beebe 73rd (2024), CB Shavon Revel 76th (2025), LB DeMarvion Overshown 90th (2023), Jaishawn Barham 92nd (2026)

4th round picks (5) – OT Drew Shelton 112th (2026), TE Jake Ferguson 129th (2022), QB Dak Prescott 135th (2016), DT L.T. Overton 137th (2026), CB Cobie Durant 142nd (2022 Rams)

5th round picks (6) – QB Sam Howell 144th (2022 Commanders), LB Shemar James 152nd (2025), DT Otito Ogbonnia 160th (2022 Chargers), CB DaRon Bland 167th (2022), CB Caelon Carson 174th (2024), S Jalen Thompson supplemental (2019 – Cardinals)

6th round picks (5) – OT Ajani Cornelius 204th (2025), CB Ameer Speed 214th (2023 Patriots), LB Dee Winters 216th (2023 49ers), WR Ryan Flournoy 216th (2024), James Houston 217th (2022 Lions)

7th round picks (0) – none

Undrafted Free Agents (14) – LS Trent Sieg (2018 Raiders), S P.J. Locke (2019 Broncos), OT Terence Steele (2020), PK Brandon Aubrey (2022), S Markquese Bell (2022), RB Malik Davis (2022), Kavonte Turpin (2022), OG T.J. Bass (2023), RB Emari Demercado (2023 Cardinals), FB Hunter Luepke (2023), OLB Tyrus Wheat (2023), Brevyn Spann-Ford (2024), S Alijah Clark (2025), WR Camden Brown (2026)

If anyone has these stats by team or a 3 year average across the league that would provide excellent context.

 

[Whyjerry]

1st round picks (12) – OLB Von Miller 2nd (2011 Broncos), DT Quinnen Williams 3rd (2019 Jets), S Caleb Downs 11th (2026), OLB Rashan Gary 12th (2019 Packers), OG Tyler Booker 12th (2025), OT Broderick Jones 14th (2023 Steelers), S Malik Hooker 15th (2017 Colts), WR CeeDee Lamb 17th (2020), OLB Malachi Lawrence 23rd (2026), OG Tyler Smith 24th (2022), DT Kenny Clark 27th (2016 Packers), OT Tyler Guyton 29th (2024)

2nd round picks (5) – RB Javonte Williams 35th (2021 Broncos), WR Jonathan Mingo 39th (2023 Panthers), OLB Donovan Ezeiraku 44th (2025), WR George Pickens 52nd (2022 Steelers), TE Luke Schoonmaker 58th (2023)

3rd round picks (6) – P Bryan Anger 70th (2012 Jaguars), DT Jonathan Bullard 72nd (2016 Bears) OC Cooper Beebe 73rd (2024), CB Shavon Revel 76th (2025), LB DeMarvion Overshown 90th (2023), Jaishawn Barham 92nd (2026)

4th round picks (5) – OT Drew Shelton 112th (2026), TE Jake Ferguson 129th (2022), QB Dak Prescott 135th (2016), DT L.T. Overton 137th (2026), CB Cobie Durant 142nd (2022 Rams)

5th round picks (6) – QB Sam Howell 144th (2022 Commanders), LB Shemar James 152nd (2025), DT Otito Ogbonnia 160th (2022 Chargers), CB DaRon Bland 167th (2022), CB Caelon Carson 174th (2024), S Jalen Thompson supplemental (2019 – Cardinals)

6th round picks (5) – OT Ajani Cornelius 204th (2025), CB Ameer Speed 214th (2023 Patriots), LB Dee Winters 216th (2023 49ers), WR Ryan Flournoy 216th (2024), James Houston 217th (2022 Lions)

7th round picks (0) – none

Undrafted Free Agents (14) – LS Trent Sieg (2018 Raiders), S P.J. Locke (2019 Broncos), OT Terence Steele (2020), PK Brandon Aubrey (2022), S Markquese Bell (2022), RB Malik Davis (2022), Kavonte Turpin (2022), OG T.J. Bass (2023), RB Emari Demercado (2023 Cardinals), FB Hunter Luepke (2023), OLB Tyrus Wheat (2023), Brevyn Spann-Ford (2024), S Alijah Clark (2025), WR Camden Brown (2026)

Interesting info. Look at the names in that undrafted bucket. I think 4 of those guys would definitely be on another team roster.