News: DMN: Top 5 players the Cowboys regret passing on in 2014 draft

[Stash]

not really , Carr came roght out of college to starting, and he was ok at first, but playing full time has made him a decent QB.

Had we drafted Carr, he would have gone stale on the bench, and probably not much better than Moore was, when suddenly having to start.

Seriously?

 

[tyke1doe]

These type threads are informative (who was available when) but pointless because what happened, happened. And none of us knows who these guys ranked on the Cowboys board or what would have happened had they come here.

And since there is no machine or device that allows us to peer into alternate universes, theses type stories* just raise our frustration and rueage level for nothing.

*I'm not saying don't post such stories because, again, I like seeing who was available when we picked. But I just can't get emotionally invested in who we missed out on. Just unnecessary angst as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Idgit]

Anthony hitchens had a great 2014 season. 2015 wasn't that great but he will turn it around..

He played fine. Lee's return took the other of the two positions he plays away from him. R. McClain took over the other once he was back in the lineup, and Hitchens was a situational player.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

It's a two player class. We rarely ever find much value in the 3rd-7th rounds and that year was no exception.

This is why the Cowboys are unable to get over the hump. They draft well in the 1st and 2nd rounds but they rarely hit on hidden gems in rounds 3-7.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

These type threads are informative (who was available when) but pointless because what happened, happened. And none of us knows who these guys ranked on the Cowboys board or what would have happened had they come here.

And since there is no machine or device that allows us to peer into alternate universes, theses type stories* just raise our frustration and rueage level for nothing.

*I'm not saying don't post such stories because, again, I like seeing who was available when we picked. But I just can't get emotionally invested in who we missed out on. Just unnecessary angst as far as I'm concerned.

If anything, though, it should serve as an incentive to do more research on prospects to the point of exhaustion. The Cowboys scout well for the 1st two rounds but it's a crap shoot after.

 

[gimmesix]

I think what this shows is we don't have to draft a QB with the fourth overall pick to find one worthy of sitting behind Romo. Is that not what I'm supposed to learn?

 

[aikemirv]

Jarvis Landry would be a nobody in this system.

Jarvis Landry with Romo would be amazing!

 

[aikemirv]

2015 would be AJ McCarron- whether he will be a Franchise QB or not, he will be at least a great backup to have.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Not really but thanks. Go Cowboys.

Actually yes. This myth that other teams are coming out of drafts routinely with 3 to 4 starters.... Well you're full of it.

 

[daveferr33]

If anything, though, it should serve as an incentive to do more research on prospects to the point of exhaustion. The Cowboys scout well for the 1st two rounds but it's a crap shoot after.

I agree with you that it is largely a "crapshoot" in the later rounds, but its in those rounds where the scouts earn their paychecks.

I think most of the individuals on this board (at least those that pay attention) could do pretty well picking in the top two rounds (I know I could have picked either Tyron Smith or JJ Watt). But you have to find contributors and some gems in those later rounds. Granted there have been some bad years (2009), but for the most part, I believe the Cowboys have done a pretty good job in this area since Parcels revamped the scouting department. Here is a list, broken down by regime:*

Under Parcells (4 drafts 2003 - 2006):
Jason Witten (3rd)
Brady James (4th)
Patrick Crayton (7th)
Marion Barber (4th)
Chris Canty (4th)
Jay Ratliff (7th)
Jason Hatcher (3rd)

Under Wade (4 drafts 2007 - 2010):
Doug Free (4th)
Tashard Choice (4th)
Orlando Scandrick (5th)
Erik Walden (6th)
Victor Butler (4th)

Under Garrett (4 drafts 2011 - 2014)
Demarco Murray (3rd)
Dwayne Harris (6th)
Tyrone Crawford (3rd)
Anthony Hitchens (4th)**


* I did not include 2015 because I think its too soon to tell. We'll have to do some hindsight analysis in a year or two to determine the strength of that class.

**I think the jury is still out on Hitchens (although he seems to have become the focus of an ego contest here in the zone, which I believe clouds most people's judgment on him).

 

[baltcowboy]

The Cowboys, like everyone else, live with regret. We take a look at the players they probably wish they hadn't passed on in recent drafts. Here is the 2014 edition of lament:
5. Allen Hurns, WR, Miami (FL) / Undrafted, signed by Jacksonville Jaguars/ Hurns has become a steal for Jacksonville. This past season, he made 64 catches for 1,031 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He would have been a nice addition to an offense looking for a receiver to fill in for injured star Dez Bryant in 2015. The fact the Cowboys had five chances to draft Hurns in the seventh round in 2014 makes this miss sting particularly hard.

4. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson/Drafted 102nd overall by Washington Commanders /Breeland has exceeded expectations in Washington, making four interceptions and forcing five fumbles during his two seasons with the Commanders. Breeland has played well as both a slot and outside cornerback, showing that he has staying power in the NFL. The Cowboys could have snagged Breeland had they not surrendered their third-round pick in the trade with Washington to select DeMarcus Lawrence early in the second round.

3. Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State/ Drafted 103rd overall by the Atlanta Falcons/ Selected one spot after Breeland, Freeman offers more evidence of why it's potentially hazardous to surrender a pick in a trade to move up the draft order. Freeman had a breakout season in 2015, rushing for 1,056 yards and earning a Pro Bowl invitation. The Cowboys got a glimpse of what they missed out on in Week 3, as Freeman gained 141 yards and scored three touchdowns in a victory over Dallas.

2. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU / Drafted 63rd overall by the Miami Dolphins / The Cowboys could have snagged Jarvis Landry in the second round. Instead, they aggressively went after Lawrence. While Lawrence has slowly gained momentum in a career that began slowly, Landry is in full bloom. He just appeared in his first Pro Bowl after racking up 1,157 receiving yards and scoring touchdowns through the air, on the ground and even on special teams. This Swiss Army knife would have been given the Cowboys a boost in wake of Dwayne Harris' departure.

1. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State / Drafted 36th overall by the Oakland Raiders /What if Derek Carr was backing up Tony Romo this past season? Would Dallas have unraveled the way it did? Don't think so. Carr looks like an emerging star after throwing 32 touchdown passes and earning a Pro Bowl invitation in 2015. The Cowboys, meanwhile, are still searching for Romo's successor.

Cowboys' 2014 Draft Class

1, 16, Zack Martin, G, Notre Dame

2, 34, DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State

4, 119, Anthony Hitchens, LB, Iowa

5, 146, Devin Street, WR, Pittsburgh

7, 231, Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford

7, 238, Will Smith, LB, Texas Tech

7, 248, Ahmad Dixon, S, Baylor

7, 251, Ken Bishop, DT, Northern Illinois

7, 254, Terrance Mitchell, CB, Oregon

Click here to read about Cowboys draft regrets from 2013; Click here for the 2012 edition; Click here for the 2011 edition; click here for the 2010 edition; click here for the 2009 edition.

Continue reading...

I would trade Martin and Lawrence for D. Carr.

 

[Risen Star]

I agree with you that it is largely a "crapshoot" in the later rounds, but its in those rounds where the scouts earn their paychecks.

I think most of the individuals on this board (at least those that pay attention) could do pretty well picking in the top two rounds. But you have to find contributors and some gems in those later rounds. Granted there have been some bad years (2009), but for the most part, I believe the Cowboys have done a pretty good job in this area since Parcels revamped the scouting department. Here is a list, broken down by regime:*

Under Parcells (4 drafts 2003 - 2006):
Jason Witten (3rd)
Brady James (4th)
Patrick Crayton (7th)
Marion Barber (4th)
Chris Canty (4th)
Jay Ratliff (7th)
Jason Hatcher (3rd)

Under Wade (4 drafts 2007 - 2010):
Doug Free (4th)
Tashard Choice (4th)
Orlando Scandrick (5th)
Erik Walden (6th)
Victor Butler (4th)

Under Garrett (4 drafts 2011 - 2014)
Demarco Murray (3rd)
Dwayne Harris (6th)
Tyrone Crawford (3rd)
Anthony Hitchens (4th)**


* I did not include 2015 because I think its too soon to tell. We'll have to do some hindsight analysis in a year or two to determine the strength of that class.

**I think the jury is still out on Hitchens (although he seems to have become the focus of an ego contest here in the zone, which I believe clouds most people's judgment on him).

What is Walden, Butler and Hitchens doing on those lists? Walden wasn't a player here. Butler sucked. Hitchens is a backup on his best day. The fact that you have to include those 3 shows your desperation.

Take a good look at the quality in Parcells' list. Now compare that to the other two significantly shorter lists when you eliminate those scrubs. It's pretty glaring.

 

[John813]

So in other words....none of these are truly regrets other than Hurns and Carr? Call me crazy but I think we have something in Lawrence. I feel much better having him here then not.

Landry would of been a nice #2 to Dez as well. Not a burner, that a lot want, but has sure hands, good routes and is tough to bring down.

That being said, probably would of taken Lawrence over him, then and now.

 

[fredp22]

anybody else get a little upset with these stories. You can do this with every team for every round in every draft. Every team passed on Romo, Marino, Brady, etc. If DMN thinks its so easy and obvious to pick great players I challenge them to write an article the day after this years draft with our misses.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I agree with you that it is largely a "crapshoot" in the later rounds, but its in those rounds where the scouts earn their paychecks.

I think most of the individuals on this board (at least those that pay attention) could do pretty well picking in the top two rounds (I know I could have picked either Tyron Smith or JJ Watt). But you have to find contributors and some gems in those later rounds. Granted there have been some bad years (2009), but for the most part, I believe the Cowboys have done a pretty good job in this area since Parcels revamped the scouting department. Here is a list, broken down by regime:*

Under Parcells (4 drafts 2003 - 2006):
Jason Witten (3rd)
Brady James (4th)
Patrick Crayton (7th)
Marion Barber (4th)
Chris Canty (4th)
Jay Ratliff (7th)
Jason Hatcher (3rd)

Under Wade (4 drafts 2007 - 2010):
Doug Free (4th)
Tashard Choice (4th)
Orlando Scandrick (5th)
Erik Walden (6th)
Victor Butler (4th)

Under Garrett (4 drafts 2011 - 2014)
Demarco Murray (3rd)
Dwayne Harris (6th)
Tyrone Crawford (3rd)
Anthony Hitchens (4th)**


* I did not include 2015 because I think its too soon to tell. We'll have to do some hindsight analysis in a year or two to determine the strength of that class.

**I think the jury is still out on Hitchens (although he seems to have become the focus of an ego contest here in the zone, which I believe clouds most people's judgment on him).

Good list! Parcell's draft produced four Pro Bowl players, Wade's none and Jason's one. Not a good track record. They have to do better if they intend to improve, especially if Romo can't stay healthy.

 

[daveferr33]

What is Walden, Butler and Hitchens doing on those lists? Walden wasn't a player here. Butler sucked. Hitchens is a backup on his best day. The fact that you have to include those 3 shows your desperation.

Take a good look at the quality in Parcells' list. Now compare that to the other two significantly shorter lists when you eliminate those scrubs. It's pretty glaring.

I don't necessarily disagree with you. I was purposefully being generous.

You are dead on about the Parcels era. We largely owe the 2007 13-3 season to the depth he built through the draft.

 

[Nightman]

I would trade Martin and Lawrence for D. Carr.

And Goff and Wentz are rated higher than Carr was.

We can have them all.......Goff, DLaw and ZMartin

 

[Nightman]

Landry would of been a nice #2 to Dez as well. Not a burner, that a lot want, but has sure hands, good routes and is tough to bring down.

That being said, probably would of taken Lawrence over him, then and now.

With Dez, TWilliams and Beasley I would also take DLawrence. Edge rushers are gold.

 

[Stash]

I think what this shows is we don't have to draft a QB with the fourth overall pick to find one worthy of sitting behind Romo. Is that not what I'm supposed to learn?

You're off base if that's what you learned. All statistics point to taking one early or missing out.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

You're off base if that's what you learned. All statistics point to taking one early or being totally incompetent and missing out.

Fixed it for ya, Stash!