For the Cowboys, the best part about finishing 4-12 and being an abject disappointment this season was a chance to draft a difference-making player with a top five pick. A bonus came when the Cowboys were presented with the opportunity to coach in the Senior Bowl.
The chance to work with players on Dallas' draft board would seem beneficial. But if recent history shows anything, it really isn't when it comes to finding the best of the best. Of the last 10 players chosen with top-ten picks by teams that had coaching staffs work the Senior Bowl the year they were drafted, only one - Ezekiel Ansah -- actually participated in the practices and the game.
Here's a look at the players chosen:
2011; Buffalo; Marcell Dareus; DT; Pick No. 3; Dareus, who was an underclassman, didn't participate in the Senior Bowl. The defensive tackle has since become a two-time Pro Bowler.
2011; Cincinnati; A.J. Green; WR; Pick No. 4; Green didn't participate in the Senior Bowl. He was an underclassman. Years later, he's a bona fide star. Green has made five Pro Bowls and produced more than 1,000 receiving yards in each season he has been in the NFL.
2012; Washington; Robert Griffin III; QB; Pick No. 2; Griffin entered the NFL draft after his junior season at Baylor, so he didn't take part in the Senior Bowl. At the end of an outstanding rookie season, Griffin tore up his knee and eventually fell out of favor in Washington. In 2015, he didn't appear in a game.
2012; Minnesota; Matt Kalil; OT; Pick No. 4; Kalil skipped his senior season at USC to enter the NFL Draft. He was then selected to his only Pro Bowl as a rookie. He has appeared in every game since his career began.
2013; Detroit; Ezekiel Ansah; DE; Pick No. 5; Ansah began to turn heads at the Senior Bowl, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player for the South squad. This past season, he terrorized defenses, picking up 14 ½ sacks and earning his first Pro Bowl invitation.
2013; Oakland; DJ Hayden; CB; Pick No. 12; Hayden was invited to the Senior Bowl. But he didn't participate after suffering a near-fatal torn vein. With the Raiders, he's played in 34 games and made three interceptions.
2014; Jacksonville; Blake Bortles; QB; Pick No. 3; Bortles entered the draft early and wasn't a Senior Bowl participant. This season, Bortles threw 35 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions, demonstrating progress in his development as a passer.
2014; Atlanta; Jake Matthews; OT; Pick No. 6; The Texas A&M offensive tackle turned down an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He has since appeared in 31 games with the Falcons.
2015; Tennessee; Marcus Mariota; QB; Pick No. 2; Mariota declined a Senior Bowl invitation. As a rookie, he showed promise, completing 62 percent of his pass attempts and averaging 7.4 yards per rush attempt.
2015; Jacksonville; Dante Fowler Jr.; DE; Pick No. 3; Fowler was an early entrant to the draft. He has yet to play in a game after tearing his left anterior cruiciate ligament on the first day of rookie minicamp.
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