Entire 2018 draft class gone

[VaqueroTD]

Here is how the Cowboys view it though....

They got 3 second contracts and 3 comp picks out of it.

To them this was an A+ draft

In reality it's not a horrible class, but lacks a true cornerstone piece.

well said...

 

[Coogiguy03]

I count 7 still in the league. That's not bad drafting at all. You ain't gonna draft an all pro every year.

Ask Jerry we have a roster assembled of all stars

 

[VaqueroTD]

Really, the draft picks themselves were solid.

LVE was great. Injuries.
Gallup was good. Injuries.

Lost good picks at their draft position like Schultz, Wilson, Armstrong that went to other teams. Even White is a decent backup QB.

Williams is probably the only big miss.

Only thing about LVE though is I read they knew about his pre-existing condition. As great as he was his rookie year, never would have picked a 1) Linebacker, and 2) with a first round pick, if there was knowledge of a neck/spine condition. I don't have problems with them gambling on injuries in later rounds, but I think it's foolish in first round, especially with a position like LB, S, RB, etc where you know they're going to be in constant collisions.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

The end of an error.

 

[Motorola]

It is seven years later. Six of those draft picks are in the NFL, just not with Dallas.

Quality players who maintained the skills and the will to still contribute in the league.

 

[_sturt_]

It is seven years later. Six of those draft picks are in the NFL, just not with Dallas.

Exactly. Six guys who gave you quality snaps for a long time. That you don't necessarily want to pay them what they're asking at this point in their careers is hardly evidence of bad draft day decisions. Can argue who we maybe should have kept or not, who we maybe should have been willing to pay more or not. But that's a solid list of names for one draft.

LVE in particular was a situation where he came out of Boise and was on a trajectory to be top tier in the league... but you can't do much about preventing injuries... it happens. And his career plateaued once that became a factor.

Will McClay routinely gets a lot of calls at the end of every season, if reports are accurate, and that's for reason.

 

[Ranching]

The Cowboys no longer have anyone left from their 2018 draft class

First round: Leighton Vander Esch, LB
Second round: Connor Williams, G
Third round: Michael Gallup, WR
Fourth round: Dorance Armstrong, DE
Fourth round: Dalton Schultz, TE
Fifth round: Mike White, QB
Sixth round: Chris Covington, LB
Sixth round: Cedrick Wilson, WR
Seventh round: Bo Scarbrough, RB

6 Years...average player, plays 4 years..about right

 

[Gambit]

For a team that relies heavily on its own players thru the draft this is horrible. LVE was such a breath of fresh air at LBer when he came in, thought he'd be a staple in the middle the next decade like Urlacher.

Add in the complete mess of a draft last year and it's not looking good. Cowboys will be forced to sign FA players in the coming years to be able to compete.

 

[TNCowboy]

Exactly. That is a good success rate for a draft class.

Mixed. It also speaks volumes that there wasn't a single player the Cowboys drafted that they felt deserved a 2nd contract.

 

[McKDaddy]

It's a sight better than how history will view the 2023 draft class unless there is some big time developments.

 

[fivetwos]

See here’s the problem, and what they don’t get….

The 2018 draft was about as good a draft as you could hope for, not picking high or having extra picks….

Then they had another nice one in 2020, add it to what they already had, and there’s your window.

No, it wasn’t good enough and needed to be added to, but the cheap kid figured they were going to be able to pull the draft thing off consistently, and still does, but they don’t. They can’t, no one can. It’s set up that way!!

 

[Captain-Crash]

yep, they are still helping Dallas. "they're still in the league, doesn't that count" lmao.

 

[jazzcat22]

Wonder how many other teams are in the same situation or have the majority of their draft classes left.

I bet not many.

 

[VaqueroTD]

See here’s the problem, and what they don’t get….

The 2018 draft was about as good a draft as you could hope for, not picking high or having extra picks….

Then they had another nice one in 2020, add it to what they already had, and there’s your window.

No, it wasn’t good enough and needed to be added to, but the cheap kid figured they are going to be able to pull the draft thing off consistently, and still does, but they don’t. They can’t, no one can. It’s set up that way!!

Agree. We had some solid drafts around that time, and starting with last year's collapse, window has shut quickly with a lot more depth needs.

 

[Pentagruel]

Those are largely good players still in the NFL. Not bad at all.

 

[Asklesko]

Too bad so sad

 

[JohnsKey19]

Not a bad draft actually overall. LVE was a good player but taking a LB in the 1st round with chronic neck issues probably isn't the smartest idea.

 

[Kingofholland]

It was 6 years ago, so it shouldn't be a big surprise. Overall, this was a solid draft class and we got some good contributions, but didn't find the next great player.

 

[HungryLion]

Exactly. That is a good success rate for a draft class.

It is. But therein lies the problem with their philosophy of building only through the draft.

even highly successful drafting doesn’t bring in enough talent to get over the hump and compete for a superbowl because the margin for error is so small and the windows close too fast.

Which is why you need to supplement with free agency.

 

[Jayinem]

Thankfully we still have Luka Doncic.



Oh, wrong team.