News: ESPN: Reviewing the Cowboys' 2014 draft

[NewsBot]

​

IRVING, Texas -- This week we will start focusing on prospects for the 2015 draft, but first let’s take a look back at the Dallas Cowboys’ 2014 draft. First round: Zack Martin (16th overall) Martin was a Day 1 starter at right guard and one of the best picks in the draft. Had Ryan Shazier been available, he would have been the Cowboys’ pick over Martin, but sometimes teams get lucky. Martin was a four-year starter at Notre Dame and made the transition from tackle to guard as smooth as possible.

Continue reading...

 

[WoodysGirl]

Zach Martin makes it a home run in my book... Doesn't matter much what they did from there. lol

 

[guag]

3 starters with the first 3 picks (yes Hitchens will be starting)...that alone makes this draft a success IMO.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Not drafting JF made that draft a success.

 

[xwalker]

Zach Martin makes it a home run in my book... Doesn't matter much what they did from there. lol

Martin: All Pro

Hitchens: 11 starts from a 4th round pick

Lawrence: Draft experts are saying he would be a 1st round pick in this year's draft.

Street: Averaged about 15 snaps per game on offense as a 5th round pick and played special teams.

Ken Bishop: Had 5 tackles in 1 playoff game as compared to 2 total tackles in 2 games by the starting 1tech Hayden.

 

[phildadon86]

Martin: All Pro

Hitchens: 11 starts from a 4th round pick

Lawrence: Draft experts are saying he would be a 1st round pick in this year's draft.

Street: Averaged about 15 snaps per game on offense as a 5th round pick and played special teams.

Ken Bishop: Had 5 tackles in 1 playoff game as compared to 2 total tackles in 2 games by the starting 1tech Hayden.

Wow then you break it down like that, that may be one of our best drafts in a very long time. Lets hope we can replicate this success this upcoming Draft

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Gardner better find a way to stay on the field or he's a goner after this year. Loved the first 3 picks

 

[Hawkeye19]

I like their approach the past 3-4 years. They compliment their draft strategy by finding solid role players and bargains in FA that allow them to be extremely agile on draft day and take the BPA (at least on their draft board-- not necessarily the "experts" boards).

This has kept them from over-reaching badly. I'm actually fine with the trade up for Claiborne and Lawrence. They saw two players they liked and they went after them. That's exactly what you're supposed to do. Some players (Claiborne) just don't work out-- but that doesn't mean it was a mistake to go up and get them.

This year-- they took the pressure off finding a pass rusher by signing Hardy. That will allow them tremendous flexibility over the first 3 rounds to do whatever they want. When you are patient and allow the draft to come to you-- good things usually happen.

 

[Crown Royal]

Lawrence still needs to be worth a 2nd and a third, but I have faith he may do that. Getting Zach Martin, a starting Lawrence, a depth/starter guy like Hitchens is great. IF anyone else pans out, it is an A+ draft.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Martin: All Pro

Hitchens: 11 starts from a 4th round pick

Lawrence: Draft experts are saying he would be a 1st round pick in this year's draft.

Street: Averaged about 15 snaps per game on offense as a 5th round pick and played special teams.

Ken Bishop: Had 5 tackles in 1 playoff game as compared to 2 total tackles in 2 games by the starting 1tech Hayden.

Where have you seen that about Lawrence?

 

[xwalker]

Where have you seen that about Lawrence?

I've heard it from a couple of national reporters. I think Dane Brugler said it on the draft show he does with Broaddus and somebody said it on TV, I think it was on the NFL network, maybe Mayock.

 

[CF74]

Can't wait to see what Gardner can bring..

 

[windward]

Martin: All Pro

Hitchens: 11 starts from a 4th round pick

Lawrence: Draft experts are saying he would be a 1st round pick in this year's draft.

Street: Averaged about 15 snaps per game on offense as a 5th round pick and played special teams.

Ken Bishop: Had 5 tackles in 1 playoff game as compared to 2 total tackles in 2 games by the starting 1tech Hayden.

And if Vaughan can even show the ability to be a decent backup, even better. UDFA, but still speaks well to our talent evaluation.

 

[CCBoy]

Martin and Lawrence seals the value side. I like HItchens, but wonder as to his long termed staying power. He made for good chinking on the quickly thrown together cabin for last year's defensive unit.

Here's to his continued growth and no sophomore inversions.

 

[Nightman]

I like their approach the past 3-4 years. They compliment their draft strategy by finding solid role players and bargains in FA that allow them to be extremely agile on draft day and take the BPA (at least on their draft board-- not necessarily the "experts" boards).

This has kept them from over-reaching badly. I'm actually fine with the trade up for Claiborne and Lawrence. They saw two players they liked and they went after them. That's exactly what you're supposed to do. Some players (Claiborne) just don't work out-- but that doesn't mean it was a mistake to go up and get them.

This year-- they took the pressure off finding a pass rusher by signing Hardy. That will allow them tremendous flexibility over the first 3 rounds to do whatever they want. When you are patient and allow the draft to come to you-- good things usually happen.

I think Claiborne and DLaw are the definitions of a reach. Claiborne didn't work out and hopefully DLaw will. But giving up a 2nd and 3rd to go and get DLaw because he was the last highly rated DE and we just cut DWare is the ultimate 'need' pick.

 

[speedkilz88]

Definition of a reach is taking a player earlier than needed. An example last year would be the eagles taking Marcus Smith in the first round.