Our drafting since 2003

[Galian Beast]

DAY 1 (old format) draft picks

We've had 8 drafts, which standard without compensatory picks = 24 picks, we've made 21 picks.


Offense (11)
OL - 5
TE - 3
RB - 2
WR - 1
QB - 0

Defense (10)
ILB - 4
CB - 2
OLB - 2
DE - 2
DT - 0
S - 0

despite having more picks on offense, I think we've focused far too much on the defensive side of the ball (in terms of high picks).

On offense the only 1st round draft picks we've made have been Jones and Bryant. In 8 years.

 

[UnoDallas]

I think we've focused far too much on the defensive side of the ball

sorry have to disagree with what wins championships - Defense

and we had Parcells drafting for three years you know he was going to pick D

I had B Carp marked down in Jan of 06

 

[sonnyboy]

I thought this was going to be a thread on how well we've drafted since 2003. You can't look at 10 yr history in a vacuum and say, oh well we've drafted too many defenders in the early rounds.

Maybe we've done better with RFA offensive players. Perhaps we've had the opportunity to sign more quality veteran FAs on the offensive side of the ball.
All that would obviously lead to more early rd defensive selections.

And if you look at how this Cowboy team was built, that's been the case. Columbo and Koiser were modestly priced veteran FAs that were excellent reclamation projects. Davis was an availible high priced FA that fit a need.
Romo and Austin were undrafted PB players. Of course we traded a 1st plus for Williams.

With all that going on this past decade, why would you expect us to have drafted more offensive players on the 1st day?

 

[Galian Beast]

Because thats how you build a team. If we spent more time drafting linemen our line wouldn't be so garbage right now.

And until recently we weren't doing well at all with wide receiver or running back. 2008 was a really bad year for us, maybe you've forgotten.

 

[UnoDallas]

well I would do this if I were Jerry draft two O linemen every year

one G one T sooner or later your going to hit on one

 

[Galian Beast]

well I would do this if I were Jerry draft two O linemen every year

one G one T sooner or later your going to hit on one

takes proper coaching too, and i dont think hudson houck is the right guy.

 

[burmafrd]

you gotta draft guys that are more than projects every year. In other words 5th rd or higher. All the guys we got in the late rds on the O line none of them ever panned out; Pettiti gave us the most and what was that?

 

[ThreeandOut]

I think the transition to the 3-4 defense was a big factor in why our drafts have been so defensive intensive. The transition required an enormous investment to bring in the type of players that would fit in the scheme. That is why I cring whenever I hear someone say we need to move back to the 4-3.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Well look at all of the Cowboys Pro Bowlers on the offensive side of the ball....

Romo = Undrafted
Miles = Undrafted
Tashard = 4th rounder(not a Pro Bowler)
Marion = 4th rounder
Jason Witten = 3rd rounder

Meanwhile look at the Lions and Raiders and look at how much they've dedicated to the offensive side of the ball?

Drafts are such a hit and miss. But you have a better chance of hitting on a 1st rounder who plays defense than you do a 1st rounder who plays on offense.

You can simply find players of quality in the 4th or 5th rounds who can start for your offense. You just need to find them and the Cowboys have enough confidence to wait and see on a guy like Tashard in the 4th round than they do taking a shot on a Darren McFadden in the 1st round.

 

[Spectre]

I think we've focused far too much on the defensive side of the ball

sorry have to disagree with what wins championships - Defense

and we had Parcells drafting for three years you know he was going to pick D

I had B Carp marked down in Jan of 06

sorry

offense wins championships nowadays... see Saints and Colts

 

[ThreeandOut]

Certain offensive positions like RB and TE tend to fall during the draft. Witten was projected as a late first rounder but we got him in the third round. Barber and Choice were expected to go in the second-third round range but fell to us in the fourth.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Well look at all of the Cowboys Pro Bowlers on the offensive side of the ball....

Romo = Undrafted
Miles = Undrafted
Tashard = 4th rounder(not a Pro Bowler)
Marion = 4th rounder
Jason Witten = 3rd rounder

You missed some.

 

[ThreeandOut]

Our success with UDFA on the offensive side of the ball has also been a factor in why we've not drafted offensive players high. If we didn't have Romo, it would have been very difficult for us to have passed on a Brady Quinn in 2007 or a Jimmy Clausen this year.

 

[Nova]

takes proper coaching too, and i dont think hudson houck is the right guy.

Our o'line coach from the 1993 and 1995 SB winning teams (and outstanding OL) is not the right guy? Who do you think is the right guy?

To elaborate on drafting lineman in high rounds as a priority...
Larry Allen- 2nd round
Mark Stepnoski- 3rd round
Mark Tuinei- Rookie Free Agent that made the team as a defensive tackle.
Erik Williams- 3rd round (we had 3 3rd rounders that year, and he was the last to be picked behind James Richard G, (who...?)
Nate Newton- Signed out of the USFL.

I think they did alright, and although it hasn't been a focus since 2003, we've drafted a few guys in comparable rounds.

 

[Galian Beast]

No matter how much you've won, no matter how many games, no matter how many championships, no matter how many Super Bowls, you're not winning now, so you stink. - Bill Parcells.

 

[Cowboys22]

It comes down to hiring Parcells and him switching the team to a 3-4. He didn't really have a single real peice of the puzzle to run his defense so thats where the focus has been. I'd say the defense is now built minus a FS maybe so I suspect we will see a focus on OL and replacing players lost to free agency in the next few drafts.

 

[Apluz]

No matter how much you've won, no matter how many games, no matter how many championships, no matter how many Super Bowls, you're not winning now, so you stink. - Bill Parcells.

The last couple seasons the team has started bringing guys in that Houck likes while getting rid of the holdovers on the O-line that were not the type of guys he likes. History has shown that if you give ol Houck a couple big strong prospect that work hard and are coachable he will get them playing to there full potential. If Houck dose not find a gem or two from the group he has now then maybe, maybe you have a leg to stand on.

I don't know which of the young guys we will keep on the 53 but whoever they are Houck's stamp will be on them and one or two of them will pan-out.

 

[Galian Beast]

Hudson has been here for 2008, 2009, and now 2010.

He has had plenty of time, and really hasn't developed anyone new with the exception of Doug Free. Every other starter on the line was here before he got here. And the other backups don't look anywhere close to being ready to step up.

I would give him more time if Brewster didn't look like he sucked SO bad. A year off or not, he looks worse than a rookie out there. Certainly not what you would expect for a redshirt freshmen.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

A lot of people won't want to hear this, but we drafted defense because Zimmer struggled here as a D-Coordinator. And every year there was something new on the defense that creeped up. We only had one good year defensively with Zimmer, in '03, when we still couldn't sack the QB. The '04 came and the defense stunk...so it was back to drafting defense again and we got Ware, Spears and Canty.

Now that we have Wade, we are more offensive minded with our drafts. I wish Zimmer the best in Cincy, but he was a mediocre D-Coordinator in Dallas. I don't think Parcells' 'execution over scheme' helped matters, but for the overwhelming most part, Zimmer's defenses do not pressure and sack the QB.




YR