Drafting Under Jason Garrett

[TheFinisher]

There has been a feeling that Jason Garrett has been putting together good drafts while Head Coach, and while his game management issues have been documented, many point to the way he's been putting together a young core through the draft as his real value to this team. However, looking over his 3 classes I think it's okay, but nothing really to feel overjoyed about.

2011 Draft

RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
19Tyron SmithOffensive TackleUSC
2840Bruce CarterLinebackerNorth Carolina
3771DeMarco MurrayRunning BackOklahoma
413110David ArkinGuardMissouri State
512143Josh ThomasCornerbackBuffalo
611176Dwayne HarrisWide ReceiverEast Carolina
717220Shaun ChapasFullbackGeorgia
749252Bill NagyCenterWisconsin

Tyron Smith has turned into a great player, but considering he was a top 10 selection I'm not sure how much credit Jason Garrett deserves for the selection. Players picked in the top 10 are supposed to be good, and that 2011 top 10 was filled with impact players.

Looking beyond that pick, I think we can agree that Murray has proven to be a good runner, although his future with the team is a mystery due to his inability to stay healthy. Outside of Murray, Dwayne Harris has been a pretty good return man and a nice get in the 6th. Bruce Carter is looking like a bust, while the rest of our picks are no longer on this roster.

Grade: B

2012 Draft
RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
166Morris ClaiborneCornerbackLouisiana State
31881Tyrone CrawfordDefensive EndBoise State
418113Kyle WilberLinebackerWake Forest
440135Matt JohnsonSafetyEastern Washington
517152Danny CoaleWide ReceiverVirginia Tech
616186James HannaTight EndOklahoma
715222Caleb McSurdyLinebackerMontana

This class is why we have so many holes on our defense. We drafted 4 defensive players in the first 4 rounds, and that should have given us at the very least some productive talent. Unfortunately, Claiborne is looking like a massive bust and those other names have not been able to get on the field. While there is still time for them to turn it around, it's now year 3 and it has to happen soon. Right now, it doesn't look promising.

Grade: D(F if Claiborne can't turn it around)

2013 Draft
RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
13131Travis FrederickCenterWisconsin
21547Gavin EscobarTight EndSan Diego State
31274Terrance WilliamsWide ReceiverBaylor
31880J.J. WilcoxSafetyGeorgia Southern
417114B. W. WebbCornerbackWilliam & Mary
518151Joseph RandleRunning BackOklahoma State
617185DeVonte HollomanLinebackerSouth Carolina

Jury still out on this class. Frederick brought stability at Center and Williams enjoyed a nice rookie season. We'll see if he can become a productive #2 WR, if he does that pick looks pretty good. Jury out on Escobar, Wilcox, and Holloman. The team has some plans for these guys, and the grade of this draft will depend heavily on if they can get anything out of them.

Grade: INC, but off to decent start.

 

[CF74]

2014 Hurry Up Already!!!!

 

[Nation]

You need to compare drafts to other drafts in order to grade them, not just run through one team. Which teams had an A draft in 2011 if The Cowboys had a B draft?

 

[Idgit]

I'd look at the entire rookie class for a given offseason for a better picture of the college scouting process under Garrett. We've found starters and/or key role players in CFA, too.

 

[guag]

I'd look at the entire rookie class for a given offseason for a better picture of the college scouting process under Garrett. We've found starters and/or key role players in CFA, too.

Exactly, you have to consider players like Cole Beasley (UDFA, 2012) in this conversation as well.

 

[Hostile]

There has been a feeling that Jason Garrett has been putting together good drafts while Head Coach, and while his game management issues have been documented, many point to the way he's been putting together a young core through the draft as his real value to this team. However, looking over his 3 classes I think it's okay, but nothing really to feel overjoyed about.

2011 Draft

RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
19Tyron SmithOffensive TackleUSC
2840Bruce CarterLinebackerNorth Carolina
3771DeMarco MurrayRunning BackOklahoma
413110David ArkinGuardMissouri State
512143Josh ThomasCornerbackBuffalo
611176Dwayne HarrisWide ReceiverEast Carolina
717220Shaun ChapasFullbackGeorgia
749252Bill NagyCenterWisconsin

Tyron Smith has turned into a great player, but considering he was a top 10 selection I'm not sure how much credit Jason Garrett deserves for the selection. Players picked in the top 10 are supposed to be good, and that 2011 top 10 was filled with impact players.

Looking beyond that pick, I think we can agree that Murray has proven to be a good runner, although his future with the team is a mystery due to his inability to stay healthy. Outside of Murray, Dwayne Harris has been a pretty good return man and a nice get in the 6th. Bruce Carter is looking like a bust, while the rest of our picks are no longer on this roster.

Grade: B

2012 Draft
RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
166Morris ClaiborneCornerbackLouisiana State
31881Tyrone CrawfordDefensive EndBoise State
418113Kyle WilberLinebackerWake Forest
440135Matt JohnsonSafetyEastern Washington
517152Danny CoaleWide ReceiverVirginia Tech
616186James HannaTight EndOklahoma
715222Caleb McSurdyLinebackerMontana

This class is why we have so many holes on our defense. We drafted 4 defensive players in the first 4 rounds, and that should have given us at the very least some productive talent. Unfortunately, Claiborne is looking like a massive bust and those other names have not been able to get on the field. While there is still time for them to turn it around, it's now year 3 and it has to happen soon. Right now, it doesn't look promising.

Grade: D(F if Claiborne can't turn it around)

2013 Draft
RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
13131Travis FrederickCenterWisconsin
21547Gavin EscobarTight EndSan Diego State
31274Terrance WilliamsWide ReceiverBaylor
31880J.J. WilcoxSafetyGeorgia Southern
417114B. W. WebbCornerbackWilliam & Mary
518151Joseph RandleRunning BackOklahoma State
617185DeVonte HollomanLinebackerSouth Carolina

Jury still out on this class. Frederick brought stability at Center and Williams enjoyed a nice rookie season. We'll see if he can become a productive #2 WR, if he does that pick looks pretty good. Jury out on Escobar, Wilcox, and Holloman. The team has some plans for these guys, and the grade of this draft will depend heavily on if they can get anything out of them.

Grade: INC, but off to decent start.

Compare this to 2007, 2008, and 2009. Wade's first three years inheriting a better team.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Exactly, you have to consider players like Cole Beasley (UDFA, 2012) in this conversation as well.

Exactly.

In addition I think grading any draft after only 2 seasons is going to yield some inaccuracies after year 3 has been completed.

 

[Idgit]

Exactly, you have to consider players like Cole Beasley (UDFA, 2012) in this conversation as well.

And Ronald Leary. And Lance Dunbar. And Dan Bailey, and Ben Bass, and whoever else was added via scouting the college ranks during that draft prep season.

We've done a decent job with college scouting, and a better job with proscouting in recent seasons here. It's tough to outperform the league in that area, though, when you don't have any advantage in terms if the number of picks you have to work with.

 

[Dhragon]

2012 draft could still go either way. Claiborne isn't a bust yet and Crawford could still do well if he can stay healthy

 

[Idgit]

2012 draft could still go either way. Claiborne isn't a bust yet and Crawford could still do well if he can stay healthy

Re: Crawford, btw: http://m.torontosun.com/2014/04/24/dallas-cowboys-coach-loves-him-some-tyrone-crawford

 

[Crown Royal]

I personally disagree about having to compare drafts to others, be it other teams or previous drafts. Who cares if it compared favorable or unfavorably to other teams? only one of those other teams is going to with the Super Bowl this year. The draft needs to yield productive starters, excellent depth and good athletes. Any player you draft who is out of the NFL within 3 years is a critical failure.

That isn't to say other teams don't have those same failures, but I hope our team's management's bar is higher than that of comparing to others.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Where is Danny Coale now?

 

[xwalker]

And Ronald Leary. And Lance Dunbar. And Dan Bailey, and Ben Bass, and whoever else was added via scouting the college ranks during that draft prep season.

We've done a decent job with college scouting, and a better job with proscouting in recent seasons here. It's tough to outperform the league in that area, though, when you don't have any advantage in terms if the number of picks you have to work with.

Yes, Leary is performing like an early round pick. Probably better than some OL that were drafted in the 2nd round.

 

[BigStar]

2012 is looking scary right now but Claiborne, Wilbur, and Crawford have a chance to contribute. Claiborne will turn it around if the team incorporates more man D. It's encouraging to hear that he is maturing his perspective towards preparation & lifting, etc. 2011/2013 look solid/good @ this point. This team does not seem to draft well late (after the 4th) esp. I hope the team settles on more big school prospects that may have slipped through the cracks. Outside of Holloman & Harris, there are no late round drafted contributors. UDFA has contributed some players (Leary/Bailey/Beasley(kinda)). But the late round drafting has not contributed to this team (even understanding it is hard for every team to hit on later picks).

 

[xwalker]

Re: Crawford, btw: http://m.torontosun.com/2014/04/24/dallas-cowboys-coach-loves-him-some-tyrone-crawford

I like Canadian reporters better than Dallas reporters now.

 

[Western]

Yes, UDFA should certainly factor in evaluating draft classes.
With that being said though, Garrett's and the staff's evaluation of defensive players (whether in free agency or the draft) have been extremely poor.

 

[WillieBeamen]

I know it might still be early but I think the 2012 draft class was one of the worst in the JJ era. We traded up to #6 to draft claiborne when we had an aging Dline and terrible Oline and gave up a 2nd in the process. Also we gave brandon carr a $50m deal that offseason. Crawford is still an unknown and wilbur isnt playing his natural position in this scheme. 2011 looks like it was Garrets best draft but I hope 2014 is even better.

 

[dfense]

There has been a feeling that Jason Garrett has been putting together good drafts while Head Coach, and while his game management issues have been documented, many point to the way he's been putting together a young core through the draft as his real value to this team. However, looking over his 3 classes I think it's okay, but nothing really to feel overjoyed about.

2011 Draft

RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
19Tyron SmithOffensive TackleUSC
2840Bruce CarterLinebackerNorth Carolina
3771DeMarco MurrayRunning BackOklahoma
413110David ArkinGuardMissouri State
512143Josh ThomasCornerbackBuffalo
611176Dwayne HarrisWide ReceiverEast Carolina
717220Shaun ChapasFullbackGeorgia
749252Bill NagyCenterWisconsin

Tyron Smith has turned into a great player, but considering he was a top 10 selection I'm not sure how much credit Jason Garrett deserves for the selection. Players picked in the top 10 are supposed to be good, and that 2011 top 10 was filled with impact players.

Looking beyond that pick, I think we can agree that Murray has proven to be a good runner, although his future with the team is a mystery due to his inability to stay healthy. Outside of Murray, Dwayne Harris has been a pretty good return man and a nice get in the 6th. Bruce Carter is looking like a bust, while the rest of our picks are no longer on this roster.

Grade: B

2012 Draft
RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
166Morris ClaiborneCornerbackLouisiana State
31881Tyrone CrawfordDefensive EndBoise State
418113Kyle WilberLinebackerWake Forest
440135Matt JohnsonSafetyEastern Washington
517152Danny CoaleWide ReceiverVirginia Tech
616186James HannaTight EndOklahoma
715222Caleb McSurdyLinebackerMontana

This class is why we have so many holes on our defense. We drafted 4 defensive players in the first 4 rounds, and that should have given us at the very least some productive talent. Unfortunately, Claiborne is looking like a massive bust and those other names have not been able to get on the field. While there is still time for them to turn it around, it's now year 3 and it has to happen soon. Right now, it doesn't look promising.

Grade: D(F if Claiborne can't turn it around)

2013 Draft
RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
13131Travis FrederickCenterWisconsin
21547Gavin EscobarTight EndSan Diego State
31274Terrance WilliamsWide ReceiverBaylor
31880J.J. WilcoxSafetyGeorgia Southern
417114B. W. WebbCornerbackWilliam & Mary
518151Joseph RandleRunning BackOklahoma State
617185DeVonte HollomanLinebackerSouth Carolina

Jury still out on this class. Frederick brought stability at Center and Williams enjoyed a nice rookie season. We'll see if he can become a productive #2 WR, if he does that pick looks pretty good. Jury out on Escobar, Wilcox, and Holloman. The team has some plans for these guys, and the grade of this draft will depend heavily on if they can get anything out of them.

Grade: INC, but off to decent start.

You can have all kind of discussions about Garrett and his coaching. But the draft seems to be one thing he does not have alot of influence in. I expect a different feel to this years draft. To go along with what seems to be a new philosophy about free agants and money, there's been a shakeup in who is setting up the draft board. I get the feeling that after the failure of late in spending two picks on Claiborne and then the Travis Frederick debacle, Jerry may be giving up some decision making to his son in the draft room and taking the reins off of his son oversee the draft. At least this year.

I think the Cowboys are going to have a pretty good draft.

 

[xwalker]

I would go back through the evaluation and grade just the scouting dept. and not the Cowboys management overall.

2011 Draft

RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
19Tyron SmithOffensive TackleUSC
2840Bruce CarterLinebackerNorth Carolina
3771DeMarco MurrayRunning BackOklahoma
413110David ArkinGuardMissouri State
512143Josh ThomasCornerbackBuffalo
611176Dwayne HarrisWide ReceiverEast Carolina
717220Shaun ChapasFullbackGeorgia
749252Bill NagyCenterWisconsin

Smith is terrific.

Bruce Carter played well in 2012. If he showed that he can play in the NFL, then I would say the scouts did OK. The blame for 2013 would be on the coaching staff or scheme change both of which are out of the control of the scouting dept.

Murray is terrific for a 3rd round pick.

Arkin was a huge mistake.

Josh Thomas is still in the NFL. The scouting dept. should get a passing grade on him.

Harris has been a very good 6th round pick.

Chapas is a fail, but it's the 7th round.

Nagy was actually a good pick by the scouting dept. He would have been at least an NFL backup if not for the injury.

2012 Draft
RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
166Morris ClaiborneCornerbackLouisiana State
31881Tyrone CrawfordDefensive EndBoise State
418113Kyle WilberLinebackerWake Forest
440135Matt JohnsonSafetyEastern Washington
517152Danny CoaleWide ReceiverVirginia Tech
616186James HannaTight EndOklahoma
715222Caleb McSurdyLinebackerMontana

I don't think they missed on Claiborne's talent, but they failed to properly evaluate his mental makeup. The Wonderlic should have been a clue.

Crawford was not an injury risk player in the draft, so I can't blame that on the scouting dept.

Wilber play quite a few snaps in 2013, so I'll give them a break even on that pick.

They seemed to be correct on Matt Johnson's talent according to the coaching staff; however, he was an injury risk when drafted.

Danny Coale failed due to injury. I don't think he had any injury issues when drafted.

James Hanna played a lot of snaps in 2013. That's probably enough to get a passing grade on a 6th round pick.

McSurdy was a terrible pick, IMO. He just didn't have NFL athleticism. They could have picked Vontaze Burfit in that spot.

2013 Draft
RoundPick #OverallNamePositionCollege
13131Travis FrederickCenterWisconsin
21547Gavin EscobarTight EndSan Diego State
31274Terrance WilliamsWide ReceiverBaylor
31880J.J. WilcoxSafetyGeorgia Southern
417114B. W. WebbCornerbackWilliam & Mary
518151Joseph RandleRunning BackOklahoma State
617185DeVonte HollomanLinebackerSouth Carolina

This one could end up being terrific.

Frederick was very good at Center which is a difficult position for a rookie. Center is also a very difficult position to fill. Quality Centers are rarely if ever available in free agency.

Escobar could be following the Witten path. Witten was not a good blocker as a rookie either. Escobar has shown terrific hands and better than expected athleticism.

Wiilams was a good as you can possibly expect for a 3rd round rookie WR.

I think Wilcox has excellent upside. They had to know that he was unlikely to be ready as a rookie after only playing defense for 1 year in college.

Webb is a big question mark. I didn't see much from him and he does not have much size.

Randle is an incomplete also. He didn't play enough for a good evaluation.

Holloman exceeded expectations for a rookie 6th round pick.

 

[guag]

I know it might still be early but I think the 2012 draft class was one of the worst in the JJ era. We traded up to #6 to draft claiborne when we had an aging Dline and terrible Oline and gave up a 2nd in the process. Also we gave brandon carr a $50m deal that offseason. Crawford is still an unknown and wilbur isnt playing his natural position in this scheme. 2011 looks like it was Garrets best draft but I hope 2014 is even better.

I'm inclined to say that the 2009 draft was the absolute worst, but that entire draft class wasn't that great as a whole anyway. There wasn't much to choose from.