FO: 2016 Draft

[JD_KaPow]

Every year, Football Outsiders looks back at the draft from 6 years ago, including the conventional wisdom going into that draft, the contemporary grades that followed it, and what actually happened. This year, they're covering 2016, a draft of obvious interest for Cowboys fans. But the whole article is always fun and well worth reading.

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2022/looking-back-dak-zeke-and-cowboys-2016-draft

My favorite parts of this one are the ones on Laramy Tunsil (not just the reefer madness thing, but also looking at all the draft capital that has moved around since because of him), and Roberto Aguayo, which is just hilarious, well, for everyone except Buccaneers fans.

 

[HanD]

I would have the cowboys draft a kicker in the first round every year if we could get a team to win the sb 5 years later. Laugh all you want.

 

[stilltheguru]

Best Player: While Goff and Wentz have both seen Pro Bowls and look to be starters in 2022, this one goes to Dak Prescott by a significant margin.

 

[fivetwos]

Even 2-3 years down the road, these draft "redos" are wildly different from what actually happens.

That's why "value" is pure crap.

Additionally, it's tough to even fill out one round of solid players from any entire draft.

That's why thinking one team getting 4-5 of them in any one draft is a ridiculous notion.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

I wouldn't draft a RB until day three. But that's just me.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I wouldn't draft a RB until day three. But that's just me.

You're right

 

[fivetwos]

I wouldn't draft a RB until day three. But that's just me.

It definitely ain't just you!

A mid rounder this year and next and we at least have some fresh legs.

Just hope they don't take guys that can run a little but are a pass blocking mess.

 

[HungryLion]

I wouldn't draft a RB until day three. But that's just me.

I would be ok with a third rounder.

but yah. I’ve learned my lesson. With the Zeke situation.

Give me a great OL and I can find a more than Adequate RB in the 3rd or later.

 

[john van brocklin]

Every year, Football Outsiders looks back at the draft from 6 years ago, including the conventional wisdom going into that draft, the contemporary grades that followed it, and what actually happened. This year, they're covering 2016, a draft of obvious interest for Cowboys fans. But the whole article is always fun and well worth reading.

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2022/looking-back-dak-zeke-and-cowboys-2016-draft

My favorite parts of this one are the ones on Laramy Tunsil (not just the reefer madness thing, but also looking at all the draft capital that has moved around since because of him), and Roberto Aguayo, which is just hilarious, well, for everyone except Buccaneers fans.

Interesting read, thanks for posting the link!

 

[conner01]

Even 2-3 years down the road, these draft "redos" are wildly different from what actually happens.

That's why "value" is pure crap.

Additionally, it's tough to even fill out one round of solid players from any entire draft.

That's why thinking one team getting 4-5 of them in any one draft is a ridiculous notion.

If you get 2-3 solid starters then that’s an amazing draft

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

In hindsight the best move would’ve been Ramsey over Zeke.

But I have no regrets about Zeke. I know many do but Zeke and Dak brought a solid foundation and brought promise to this team. I get it’s resulted in no championships but they are a big part why we sit here year in and out and expect a championship.

 

[JD_KaPow]

In hindsight the best move would’ve been Ramsey over Zeke.

But I have no regrets about Zeke. I know many do but Zeke and Dak brought a solid foundation and brought promise to this team. I get it’s resulted in no championships but they are a big part why we sit here year in and out and expect a championship.

Yeah, it's fun to dream on the Ramsey-Henry-Dak draft. But of course you can do that with any draft.

 

[visionary]

Even 2-3 years down the road, these draft "redos" are wildly different from what actually happens.

That's why "value" is pure crap.

Additionally, it's tough to even fill out one round of solid players from any entire draft.

That's why thinking one team getting 4-5 of them in any one draft is a ridiculous notion.

We will get 4-5 all Pros this year, hater

Stephen knows best

 

[JD_KaPow]

Even 2-3 years down the road, these draft "redos" are wildly different from what actually happens.

That's why "value" is pure crap.

Additionally, it's tough to even fill out one round of solid players from any entire draft.

That's why thinking one team getting 4-5 of them in any one draft is a ridiculous notion.

Yup. Every year, several people here post about how we "have" to get four starters out of the draft, or, going into the fifth round, say we have to pick someone at a certain position because we need a starter there. They just have no concept of how the draft actually works.

An excellent draft looks like a HOFer and nothing else, or a perennial Pro Bowler and a couple contributors, or two decent starters who play through a second contract and a contributor or two.
Zack-Tank-Hitchens is an amazing draft.
Byron Jones-Gregory-Swaim is fine.
Zeke-Jaylon-Collins-Dak-Anthony Brown is phenomenal.
Awuzie-Woods-Noah Brown worked out poorly.
LVE-Connor Williams-Gallup-Armstrong-Shultz-Cedrick Wilson is really strong, and I didn't even mention the legend Bo Scarbrough. Lacks the top-end guy but that's a lot of decent quality snaps.
Hill-McGovern-Pollard looks pretty poor.

 

[gimmesix]

Every year, Football Outsiders looks back at the draft from 6 years ago, including the conventional wisdom going into that draft, the contemporary grades that followed it, and what actually happened. This year, they're covering 2016, a draft of obvious interest for Cowboys fans. But the whole article is always fun and well worth reading.

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2022/looking-back-dak-zeke-and-cowboys-2016-draft

My favorite parts of this one are the ones on Laramy Tunsil (not just the reefer madness thing, but also looking at all the draft capital that has moved around since because of him), and Roberto Aguayo, which is just hilarious, well, for everyone except Buccaneers fans.

I don't think we would have had the best draft without Prescott. Finding a franchise QB in the fourth round is going to put you at the top. Elliott and Brown would have to be considered our top picks other than Prescott. We got some decent games from both Smith and Collins, but not sure we shouldn't hope for more from second- and third-rounders.

 

[gimmesix]

Yup. Every year, several people here post about how we "have" to get four starters out of the draft, or, going into the fifth round, say we have to pick someone at a certain position because we need a starter there. They just have no concept of how the draft actually works.

An excellent draft looks like a HOFer and nothing else, or a perennial Pro Bowler and a couple contributors, or two decent starters who play through a second contract and a contributor or two.
Zack-Tank-Hitchens is an amazing draft.
Byron Jones-Gregory-Swaim is fine.
Zeke-Jaylon-Collins-Dak-Anthony Brown is phenomenal.
Awuzie-Woods-Noah Brown worked out poorly.
LVE-Connor Williams-Gallup-Armstrong-Shultz-Cedrick Wilson is really strong, and I didn't even mention the legend Bo Scarbrough. Lacks the top-end guy but that's a lot of decent quality snaps.
Hill-McGovern-Pollard looks pretty poor.

Yes, three starters is usually an excellent haul. Throw in a couple of contributors and you have to feel really good about it. This is why we can't fix this team through the draft.

 

[HungryLion]

Yes, three starters is usually an excellent haul. Throw in a couple of contributors and you have to feel really good about it. This is why we can't fix this team through the draft.

This is the problem with the current FO.


A competent FO has to know when to be conservative with the cap and/or save money. And when it’s time to get aggressive, and go for it.

This FO doesn’t know when to do that.

Sometimes you have to push all your chips onto the table, open a 2-3 year championship window for your team and hope they can get one.

this front office doesn’t do it. They are seemingly content with just being an average to above average team every year and hoping to get lucky in the playoffs.

 

[Vinnie2u]

At the time I absolutely hated the 2016 draft. I remember watching it with my son. He was ecstatic over the Zeke pick.. I said *** are they doing. Then they followed with a one legged LB. In the 4th they picked a QB that didn’t impress me. I was wrong about Dak.

 

[gimmesix]

This is the problem with the current FO.


A competent FO has to know when to be conservative with the cap and/or save money. And when it’s time to get aggressive, and go for it.

This FO doesn’t know when to do that.

Sometimes you have to push all your chips onto the table, open a 2-3 year championship window for your team and hope they can get one.

this front office doesn’t do it. They are seemingly content with just being an average to above average team every year and hoping to get lucky in the playoffs.

I believe they believe they will contend for championships doing it this way. Of course, they weren't contending for championships doing it the other way, so they don't know what they are doing whichever way they go. I'd prefer they just go for it sink or swim because all we've been doing this way is staying afloat. Better to crash and burn than be middle of the pack IMO.

 

[gimmesix]

At the time I absolutely hated the 2016 draft. I remember watching it with my son. He was ecstatic over the Zeke pick.. I said *** are they doing. Then they followed with a one legged LB. In the 4th they picked a QB that didn’t impress me. I was wrong about Dak.

Some of the busts or bad picks that they covered is one reason I don't get too upset with who is picked. We have people here who blast a pick or stand up for a certain player who seem to disappear when the Cowboys' pick turns out well and the player they wanted does not. Lots on here who were upset over the Parsons pick last year. I wanted a corner because I felt that was our top need, but just didn't see the need to hate the pick when we had no idea how he'd turn out.

I think the last pick that I absolutely backed may have been Bobby Carpenter, and we know how that turned out. So I just go with the flow and hope for the best now. I do have my favorites, but if they aren't chosen, then what do I know?