Evaluating Dallas' 15 Top Ten Draft Picks

[Manster68]

Let's take a look back and evaluate the 15 Dallas Cowboys who were drafted in the top ten of their respective NFL Drafts.
The stars of course are my opinion.

1. Ezekiel Elliott RB 2016 4th overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 1; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - N/A (still playing). 5 Stars
Zeke is definitely off to a great start for a great career in Dallas.

2. Morris Claiborne CB 2012 6th overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 0; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - N/A (still playing). 1 Star
Might be the most disappointing top ten pick in Cowboys history (primarily due to injury).

3. Tyron Smith 2011 9th overall pick:
All Pro - 2; Pro Bowls - 4; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - N/A (still playing). 5 Stars
Tyron has established himself as one of the best offensive lineman in the game today.

4. Terrance Newman CB 2003 5th overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 2; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - N/A (still playing??). 3 Stars
I believe Terrence never got the credit he deserved during his career in Dallas (32 INTs support this). There was a time where he went something like 29 consecutive games without giving up a TD pass to his receiver. There were many games where QBs did not go after him.

5. Roy Williams S 2002 8th overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 5; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - No. 4 Stars
Roy's first 7 seasons were phenomenal. He did make big plays including knocking out McNabb in 2005. His dropoff in the last few seasons of his career fogs up his overall contribution to the Cowboys.

6. Greg Ellis DE 1998 8th overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 1; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - No. 3 Stars
A solid career in Dallas which will be forever overshadowed by the Cowboys passing up Randy Moss.

7. Russell Maryland DT 1991 1st overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 1; Super Bowls - 3; Hall of Fame - No. 3 Stars
Russell played his entire career in Dallas with two bad big toes. We never got to see the best of him.

8. Troy Aikman QB 1989 1st overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 6; Super Bowls - 3; Hall of Fame - Yes. 5 Stars
One of the greatest QBs ever. Despite his Super Bowls and Hall of Fame honors, he was always overlooked because guys like Steve Young and Brett Favre stole the spotlight with inflated passing numbers. Troy didn't need the theatrics and aerial assaults as Dallas had Emmitt Smith and that great offensive line.

9. Tony Dorsett RB 1977 2nd overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 4; Super Bowls - 2 (1 loss); Hall of Fame - Yes. 5 Stars
The greatest accelerator the NFL has ever seen. Tony retired 2nd in the NFL career rushing yards behind only Walter Payton (Dickerson passed him shortly afterwards).

10. Randy White DT 1975 2nd overall pick:
All Pro - 7; Pro Bowls - 9; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses); Hall of Fame - Yes. 5 Stars
The first of the Dirty Doxen, the real Manster is still regarded as one of the most intimidating players ever to play this game.

11. Ed "Too Tall" Jones DE 1974 1st overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 3; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses); Hall of Fame - No. 5 Stars
Too Tall might be the most under-appreciated players in Cowboys history. He blocked out his portion of the field in the passing game and was better against the run.This man made big plays in big games.

12. John Niland G 1966 5th overall pick:
All Pro - 2; Pro Bowls - 6; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses); Hall of Fame - No. 4 Stars
Outside of Rayfield Wright, Niland was the best offensive lineman in the Landry era. Even the season where he did not go to a Pro Bowl, his play was outstanding.

13. Craig Morton QB 1965 5th overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 0; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses - 1 with Denver); Hall of Fame - No. 2 Stars
Morton has more career interceptions than TD passes. He did not come up big in the big game. I gave him another star as he was the sacrificial lamb for the Cowboys trading him to the Giants. Dallas would use that pick to select Randy White.

14. Scott Appleton DT 1964 4th overall pick:
Appleton never played for the Cowboys as he decided to play for Houston instead. The Cowboys could have selected WR Paul Warfield instead - yuk.

15. Lee Roy Jordan LB 1963 6th overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 5; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses); Hall of Fame - No. 5 Stars
Another overshadowed great player from the likes of Dick Butkis and Ray Nitschke. Lee Roy Jordan anchored a defense in the 60s and early 70s that was at or near #1 in the league during that time. He also has 32 INTs.

 

[StarBoyz83]

MO lol hated it then hate it even more now

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I would agree with all except:
Morton should at least be a 3, he was a pretty good QB regardless of his (highly era influenced) numbers and he started something like 80 games for the team. If you get 80 starts out of a player at a position as important as QB, that's at least average.
Zeke probably should not be graded yet.
Roy Williams is a tough one, I feel as if he has become somewhat underrated over time, but he also doesn't quite feel right at 4. 3.5 would probably truly be the call.
Similar to Morton, Claiborne gave the team over 40 starts of varying quality, so he shouldn't be a 1. 1s should probably be reserved for complete busts who can't even get on the field and/or play more than a couple of seasons. Claiborne will likely be able to play several more seasons in addition to the 5 he has already played.

 

[John813]

Did we get 7 phenomenal years out of Roy?

Felt like two great years, 1-2 years of very good then downhill from there. Going from memory though.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Did we get 7 phenomenal years out of Roy?

Felt like two great years, 1-2 years of very good then downhill from there. Going from memory though.

Agreed. On a 5-star scale there's no way I'm giving him more than a 3 for the balance of his career.

 

[Manster68]

Good responses all. Maybe I like Roy Williams a little more than most. Regardless, it is good conversation for late May.

 

[zrinkill]

Roy Williams

2002 - Rookie - 5 int, 3 forced fumble, 3 fumble recov, 88 tkl, 11 ast - 2 TD
2003 - Pro Bowler - 2 int, 2 forced fumble, 1 fumble recov, 55 tkl, 17 ast, - all pro selection
2004 - Pro Bowler - 2 int, 1 forced fumble, 73 tkls, 21 assists -
2005 - Pro Bowler - 3 int, 3 forced fumble, 1 fumble recov, 69 tkl, 12 ast - 1 TD
2006 - Pro Bowler - 5 int, 2 fumble recov, 52 tkl. 10 assist
2007 - Pro Bowler - 2 int, 1 fumble recov, 73 tkl, 19 assist

 

[Manster68]

Roy Williams

2002 - Rookie - 5 int, 3 forced fumble, 3 fumble recov, 88 tkl, 11 ast - 2 TD
2003 - Pro Bowler - 2 int, 2 forced fumble, 1 fumble recov, 55 tkl, 17 ast, - all pro selection
2004 - Pro Bowler - 2 int, 1 forced fumble, 73 tkls, 21 assists -
2005 - Pro Bowler - 3 int, 3 forced fumble, 1 fumble recov, 69 tkl, 12 ast - 1 TD
2006 - Pro Bowler - 5 int, 2 fumble recov, 52 tkl. 10 assist
2007 - Pro Bowler - 2 int, 1 fumble recov, 73 tkl, 19 assist

Just think, Dallas has not had a safety this productive since. Roy Williams was a heck of a football player.

 

[AbeBeta]

after him.

5. Roy Williams S 2002 8th overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 5; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - No. 4 Stars
Roy's first 7 seasons were phenomenal. He did make big plays including knocking out McNabb in 2005. His dropoff in the last few seasons of his career fogs up his overall contribution to the Cowboys.

What an embarrassing and inaccurate claim. His first 7 seasons were phenomenal?

He played 3 games in season 7. He was brutally inconsistent for numerous seasons prior.

This article is pure poop.

OP, investigate claims before posting

 

[AbeBeta]

Roy Williams

2002 - Rookie - 5 int, 3 forced fumble, 3 fumble recov, 88 tkl, 11 ast - 2 TD
2003 - Pro Bowler - 2 int, 2 forced fumble, 1 fumble recov, 55 tkl, 17 ast, - all pro selection
2004 - Pro Bowler - 2 int, 1 forced fumble, 73 tkls, 21 assists -
2005 - Pro Bowler - 3 int, 3 forced fumble, 1 fumble recov, 69 tkl, 12 ast - 1 TD
2006 - Pro Bowler - 5 int, 2 fumble recov, 52 tkl. 10 assist
2007 - Pro Bowler - 2 int, 1 fumble recov, 73 tkl, 19 assist

Pro bowl is meaningless distinction. Had he done the same in Cleveland, he'd not get the honor. Fan votes from the most popular team in the league drove that. Don't be ignant

 

[zrinkill]

Pro bowl is meaningless distinction.

So is your post

Don't be ignant

exactly

 

[Risen Star]

Good thread, bro.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Is there a stat for blown coverages? If so please include them with Roy Williams' stats so we can have an accurate account of his time here.

 

[AbeBeta]

So is your post



exactly

You believe Williams had seven stellar years?

That's like top 5 in the dumbest things posted to this board.

 

[zrinkill]

You believe Williams had seven stellar years?

That's like top 5 in the dumbest things posted to this board.

Dumb is not being able to read or comprehend ........ how many years did I post his stats?

Think before you post and start insulting others "beta"

 

[zrinkill]

Is there a stat for blown coverages? If so please include them with Roy Williams' stats so we can have an accurate account of his time here.

I will let trickblue from 10 years ago handle that partially erroneous statement.

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/arti...he-case-of-the-missing-coverage-skills.48425/

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I will let trickblue from 10 years ago handle that partially erroneous statement.

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/arti...he-case-of-the-missing-coverage-skills.48425/

Ok, so Keith Davis is why Roy Williams added on more weight every offseason and got slower and slower

 

[dallasdave]

Let's take a look back and evaluate the 15 Dallas Cowboys who were drafted in the top ten of their respective NFL Drafts.
The stars of course are my opinion.

1. Ezekiel Elliott RB 2016 4th overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 1; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - N/A (still playing). 5 Stars
Zeke is definitely off to a great start for a great career in Dallas.

2. Morris Claiborne CB 2012 6th overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 0; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - N/A (still playing). 1 Star
Might be the most disappointing top ten pick in Cowboys history (primarily due to injury).

3. Tyron Smith 2011 9th overall pick:
All Pro - 2; Pro Bowls - 4; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - N/A (still playing). 5 Stars
Tyron has established himself as one of the best offensive lineman in the game today.

4. Terrance Newman CB 2003 5th overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 2; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - N/A (still playing??). 3 Stars
I believe Terrence never got the credit he deserved during his career in Dallas (32 INTs support this). There was a time where he went something like 29 consecutive games without giving up a TD pass to his receiver. There were many games where QBs did not go after him.

5. Roy Williams S 2002 8th overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 5; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - No. 4 Stars
Roy's first 7 seasons were phenomenal. He did make big plays including knocking out McNabb in 2005. His dropoff in the last few seasons of his career fogs up his overall contribution to the Cowboys.

6. Greg Ellis DE 1998 8th overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 1; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - No. 3 Stars
A solid career in Dallas which will be forever overshadowed by the Cowboys passing up Randy Moss.

7. Russell Maryland DT 1991 1st overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 1; Super Bowls - 3; Hall of Fame - No. 3 Stars
Russell played his entire career in Dallas with two bad big toes. We never got to see the best of him.

8. Troy Aikman QB 1989 1st overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 6; Super Bowls - 3; Hall of Fame - Yes. 5 Stars
One of the greatest QBs ever. Despite his Super Bowls and Hall of Fame honors, he was always overlooked because guys like Steve Young and Brett Favre stole the spotlight with inflated passing numbers. Troy didn't need the theatrics and aerial assaults as Dallas had Emmitt Smith and that great offensive line.

9. Tony Dorsett RB 1977 2nd overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 4; Super Bowls - 2 (1 loss); Hall of Fame - Yes. 5 Stars
The greatest accelerator the NFL has ever seen. Tony retired 2nd in the NFL career rushing yards behind only Walter Payton (Dickerson passed him shortly afterwards).

10. Randy White DT 1975 2nd overall pick:
All Pro - 7; Pro Bowls - 9; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses); Hall of Fame - Yes. 5 Stars
The first of the Dirty Doxen, the real Manster is still regarded as one of the most intimidating players ever to play this game.

11. Ed "Too Tall" Jones DE 1974 1st overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 3; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses); Hall of Fame - No. 5 Stars
Too Tall might be the most under-appreciated players in Cowboys history. He blocked out his portion of the field in the passing game and was better against the run.This man made big plays in big games.

12. John Niland G 1966 5th overall pick:
All Pro - 2; Pro Bowls - 6; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses); Hall of Fame - No. 4 Stars
Outside of Rayfield Wright, Niland was the best offensive lineman in the Landry era. Even the season where he did not go to a Pro Bowl, his play was outstanding.

13. Craig Morton QB 1965 5th overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 0; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses - 1 with Denver); Hall of Fame - No. 2 Stars
Morton has more career interceptions than TD passes. He did not come up big in the big game. I gave him another star as he was the sacrificial lamb for the Cowboys trading him to the Giants. Dallas would use that pick to select Randy White.

14. Scott Appleton DT 1964 4th overall pick:
Appleton never played for the Cowboys as he decided to play for Houston instead. The Cowboys could have selected WR Paul Warfield instead - yuk.

15. Lee Roy Jordan LB 1963 6th overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 5; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses); Hall of Fame - No. 5 Stars
Another overshadowed great player from the likes of Dick Butkis and Ray Nitschke. Lee Roy Jordan anchored a defense in the 60s and early 70s that was at or near #1 in the league during that time. He also has 32 INTs.

Very nice write up -Thank You -great read

 

[zrinkill]

Ok, so Keith Davis is why Roy Williams added on more weight every offseason and got slower and slower

Not true ......... Roy lost weight his last 3 years in Dallas ....... injury is the only reason he left and that arm ended up ending his career.

People claim the weight thing because of Parcell's dumb biscuit remark trying to be funny ....... in reality his weight only changed by 10 pounds in the middle of his career ....... the fact that the NFL started making rules to stop him and his personal life was in shambles had much more to do with it.

We still got 6 great years from him.

 

[RS12]

2. Morris Claiborne CB 2012 6th overall pick:
All Pro - 0; Pro Bowls - 0; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - N/A (still playing). 1 Star
Might be the most disappointing top ten pick in Cowboys history (primarily due to injury).

Dont agree that he was a disappointment primarily due to injury. He was over drafted and over rated by scouts. If he had busted as a 3rd rounder which was approximately his talent level, nobody bats an eye.

5. Roy Williams S 2002 8th overall pick:
All Pro - 1; Pro Bowls - 5; Super Bowls - 0; Hall of Fame - No. 4 Stars
Roy's first 7 seasons were phenomenal. He did make big plays including knocking out McNabb in 2005. His dropoff in the last few seasons of his career fogs up his overall contribution to the Cowboys.

3 stars tops. He was never particularly good in coverage and his play was never as good after Woody retired.

12. John Niland G 1966 5th overall pick:
All Pro - 2; Pro Bowls - 6; Super Bowls - 3 (2 losses); Hall of Fame - No. 4 Stars
Outside of Rayfield Wright, Niland was the best offensive lineman in the Landry era. Even the season where he did not go to a Pro Bowl, his play was outstanding.

Should 5 stars. One of the least appreciated Cowboys of all time.