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Rank'Em: Can 2020 Rookies Compete All-Time?
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/rank-em-can-2020-rookies-compete-all-time
...after the draft, owner/GM Jerry Jones was quick to compare it to the 2005 draft class of DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Marion Barber and Jay Ratliff.
Obviously, this group of CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, Neville Gallimore and Reggie Robinson Jr. has never even stepped on the field together, so it's a little early to speculate on the greatness of this class.
But without a doubt, there is excitement, especially considering the Cowboys had Lamb, Diggs and Gallimore all rated among their top 30 overall players, and were able to land them all...
Rank'Em: Can 2020 Rookies Compete All-Time?
While Jerry Jones has given his new 2020 rookie class high praise, just where it will stand among the all-time best classes in team history?
16 / 20
No. 5 – 2016 Class
While there is still a lot of work to be done here, and obviously no major championships that have been won, this draft class will likely be known for finding a franchise quarterback, franchise running back and perhaps a defensive leader – all in one draft. It's not everyday that a team can find all of that in the same decade, must less the same draft. Taking Zeke No. 4 overall has turned out to be a wise choice, but the fourth-round pick for Dak Prescott will go down as one of the most valued picks of all-time. However, the biggest risk was taking Jaylon Smith in the second round, without even knowing if he could return to 100 percent. All three have been catalysts for the Cowboys, who also picked up Maliek Collins, Anthony Brown, Rico Gathers and Kavon Frazier in that draft.
17 / 20
No. 4 – 2005 Class
The Cowboys were hoping to start the process of switching to a 3-4 defense with this draft. In reality, they were able to draft anything they need in just one weekend. DeMarcus Ware is the best pass-rusher in franchise history and will be in the Hall of Fame within a few years. Chris Canty, Marcus Spears and Jay Ratliff (seventh round) were the players Bill Parcells needed to make that switch. In all, the class produced 226 career sacks, easily the most in Cowboys history. And don't forget about fourth-round pick Marion Barber, whose running style not only made him a fan favorite, but a scoring threat around the goal line.
18 / 20
No. 3 – 1975 Class
While the draft has been trimmed to seven rounds now, it's hard to even come up with 12 draft picks in one year. But imagine 12 of them actually making the team. The "Dirty Dozen" is one of the best classes in team history because 12 rookies not only made the squad, but nearly half of them went to Pro Bowls. The headliner was Randy White, who dominated the middle for over a decade. But Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson was a dynamic linebacker with unreal athletic ability. Bob Bruenig, Pat Donovan and Herb Scott were just steady Pro Bowlers for a Cowboys team that was in the playoffs every year in the late 70s and early 80s.
19 / 20
No. 2 – 1989 Class
When you have the No. 1 overall pick, it usually helps any draft class. Troy Aikman lived up the hype and then some, helping the Cowboys win three Super Bowls in a four-year span. But this class is one of the best ever because of the next three rounds. Daryl Johnston was a fixture in the offense and special teams and was the lead blocker for Emmitt Smith for almost 10 seasons. Mark Stepnoski was the center of one of the greatest O-lines in league history and had two different stints with the club. Tony Tolbert was a steady defensive end that also made a Pro Bowl later in his career. And while the Cowboys likely regretted taking Steve Walsh in the 1989 Supplemental Draft (which caused them to give up the No. 1 overall pick in 1990), they did eventually trade him to New Orleans and get a first-round pick in return.
20 / 20
No. 1 – 1964 Class
Three Hall of Famers. That's really all that needs to be said. The Cowboys were able to draft three cornerstone players, which is rare in itself. But they showed great foresight to take Staubach in the 10th round, knowing that he had to fulfill his military duties with the Navy and wouldn't be available for five years. And to take "Bullet" Bob Hayes in the seventh round with the hopes that this Olympic sprinter could make a good receiver, was also a risk. But Hayes would end up changing the game, forcing teams to play a zone defense in order to stay with the speedster.
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/rank-em-can-2020-rookies-compete-all-time
...after the draft, owner/GM Jerry Jones was quick to compare it to the 2005 draft class of DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Marion Barber and Jay Ratliff.
Obviously, this group of CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, Neville Gallimore and Reggie Robinson Jr. has never even stepped on the field together, so it's a little early to speculate on the greatness of this class.
But without a doubt, there is excitement, especially considering the Cowboys had Lamb, Diggs and Gallimore all rated among their top 30 overall players, and were able to land them all...
Rank'Em: Can 2020 Rookies Compete All-Time?
While Jerry Jones has given his new 2020 rookie class high praise, just where it will stand among the all-time best classes in team history?
16 / 20
No. 5 – 2016 Class
While there is still a lot of work to be done here, and obviously no major championships that have been won, this draft class will likely be known for finding a franchise quarterback, franchise running back and perhaps a defensive leader – all in one draft. It's not everyday that a team can find all of that in the same decade, must less the same draft. Taking Zeke No. 4 overall has turned out to be a wise choice, but the fourth-round pick for Dak Prescott will go down as one of the most valued picks of all-time. However, the biggest risk was taking Jaylon Smith in the second round, without even knowing if he could return to 100 percent. All three have been catalysts for the Cowboys, who also picked up Maliek Collins, Anthony Brown, Rico Gathers and Kavon Frazier in that draft.
17 / 20
No. 4 – 2005 Class
The Cowboys were hoping to start the process of switching to a 3-4 defense with this draft. In reality, they were able to draft anything they need in just one weekend. DeMarcus Ware is the best pass-rusher in franchise history and will be in the Hall of Fame within a few years. Chris Canty, Marcus Spears and Jay Ratliff (seventh round) were the players Bill Parcells needed to make that switch. In all, the class produced 226 career sacks, easily the most in Cowboys history. And don't forget about fourth-round pick Marion Barber, whose running style not only made him a fan favorite, but a scoring threat around the goal line.
18 / 20
No. 3 – 1975 Class
While the draft has been trimmed to seven rounds now, it's hard to even come up with 12 draft picks in one year. But imagine 12 of them actually making the team. The "Dirty Dozen" is one of the best classes in team history because 12 rookies not only made the squad, but nearly half of them went to Pro Bowls. The headliner was Randy White, who dominated the middle for over a decade. But Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson was a dynamic linebacker with unreal athletic ability. Bob Bruenig, Pat Donovan and Herb Scott were just steady Pro Bowlers for a Cowboys team that was in the playoffs every year in the late 70s and early 80s.
19 / 20
No. 2 – 1989 Class
When you have the No. 1 overall pick, it usually helps any draft class. Troy Aikman lived up the hype and then some, helping the Cowboys win three Super Bowls in a four-year span. But this class is one of the best ever because of the next three rounds. Daryl Johnston was a fixture in the offense and special teams and was the lead blocker for Emmitt Smith for almost 10 seasons. Mark Stepnoski was the center of one of the greatest O-lines in league history and had two different stints with the club. Tony Tolbert was a steady defensive end that also made a Pro Bowl later in his career. And while the Cowboys likely regretted taking Steve Walsh in the 1989 Supplemental Draft (which caused them to give up the No. 1 overall pick in 1990), they did eventually trade him to New Orleans and get a first-round pick in return.
20 / 20
No. 1 – 1964 Class
Three Hall of Famers. That's really all that needs to be said. The Cowboys were able to draft three cornerstone players, which is rare in itself. But they showed great foresight to take Staubach in the 10th round, knowing that he had to fulfill his military duties with the Navy and wouldn't be available for five years. And to take "Bullet" Bob Hayes in the seventh round with the hopes that this Olympic sprinter could make a good receiver, was also a risk. But Hayes would end up changing the game, forcing teams to play a zone defense in order to stay with the speedster.
