News: ST: How the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie class fared

[Alexander]

Collins not being drafted makes for a rough review on the class. Bad times.

Imagine if we did not luck out and have the opportunity to recruit Collins.

Have to give Jones that one, I don't think if McClay invited him over for steak and lobster if it would have had the same effect.

This would be a pretty dismal class after a season.

I like Gregory, but I have doubts. The idea of what he can do is a little more impressive than that what he has shown.

The rest of the class, uh, not all that impressed.

 

[Risen Star]

It's why I'm always confused when people talk about our improved drafting. We really don't get much after the first day.

 

[Alexander]

It's why I'm always confused when people talk about our improved drafting. We really don't get much after the first day.

We are so used to bad drafting that we overvalue even modest results.

I guess unless we have a disaster like 2009 or 1995, we are "improved".

 

[DallasBlockersClub]

Byron Jones was the head of the class for me..

Jones was great but Collins is #1 imo

 

[Seven]

Byron Jones was the head of the class for me..

Hands down.

 

[Staubacher]

Gregory smell like bust to me.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I gave you a like trusting you were talking tongue in cheek on McClay. The guy's amazing.

McClay has been pretty in the scout rounds (5-7).How many picks from his drafts made the team out of their rookie camps? 2?

And I swear they were all on shrooms when they drafted in the 7th. Only way I can explain that haul.

He gets alot of credit from people for "finding" Hitchens, but how hard is it to find a back up linebacker in the 4th round

Now where's my like......

 

[BAZ]

Imagine if we did not luck out and have the opportunity to recruit Collins.

Have to give Jones that one, I don't think if McClay invited him over for steak and lobster if it would have had the same effect.

This would be a pretty dismal class after a season.

I like Gregory, but I have doubts. The idea of what he can do is a little more impressive than that what he has shown.

The rest of the class, uh, not all that impressed.

After one season it's bad, but you hope Green, Gregory and Jones see enough playing time next year to change your mind.

Gregory not even getting one sack is worrying, especially because he looked sharp in the season opener.

If Green can press Free even a little it would be a big bonus for the class.

The Swaim pick bothers me because this season proved 6th and 7th round picks are viable currency in the NFL. Why they believed he would be snatched up and had to get back in the mix is a head scratcher.

 

[Galian Beast]

I don't think Gregory will be a bust. I still think he has a lot more potential than Lawrence, and I think the injury really slowed him down, not to mention not starting.

Lawrence also had 0 regular season sacks his rookie year due to injury, and it took him a while to put things together this year. If Gregory can put on weight and have the same type of offseason and Lawrence, I think he will do pretty well for us next year.

 

[Galian Beast]

I think the draft class fared well given the injuries.

I think second day and third day guys are almost always going to display what they are capable in years 2, 3, and 4.

 

[perrykemp]

Sign Weddle for SS and rock and roll. It really is not that hard.

Weddle has all the signs of a player near the end of the line.

31 years old. Tons of wear and tear. Career low in interceptions (zero). Fewest passes defensed in 8 years (6), Fewest tackles since his rookie year.

Maybe a change of scenery will revitalize him, however, IMHO buyer beware.

 

[TheCount]

Byron Jones was the head of the class for me..

I actually think Collin's played better overall, but he was also playing between two Pro Bowlers and not hopping from position to position.

I can't even remember seeing Geoff Swaim on the field once, but apparently he played a little bit.

 

[Risen Star]

McClay has been pretty in the scout rounds (5-7).How many picks from his drafts made the team out of their rookie camps? 2?

And I swear they were all on shrooms when they drafted in the 7th. Only way I can explain that haul.

He gets alot of credit from people for "finding" Hitchens, but how hard is it to find a back up linebacker in the 4th round

Now where's my like......

I really wish you were wrong. The Cowboys deserve credit for avoiding the land mines of the 1st round in recent years but after that they have really struggled to find players. That can't be simply chalked up to Jerry and Stephen making bad decisions. The scouting has to be flawed.

 

[Risen Star]

The Swaim pick bothers me because this season proved 6th and 7th round picks are viable currency in the NFL. Why they believed he would be snatched up and had to get back in the mix is a head scratcher.

Well they weren't about to risk it again like they did selecting Kyle Wilber and gambling that Matt Johnson would still be there later in the round. It all worked out but that was frightening.

 

[BAZ]

Well they weren't about to risk it again like they did selecting Kyle Wilber and gambling that Matt Johnson would still be there later in the round. It all worked out but that was frightening.

Matt Johnson just fell a career short of the hall of fame.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Hopefully Gregory can turn into something. And if Wilson turns into a productive MLB, then I like where this class is headed between Byron, Gregory, Collins, Wilson and Whitehead.






YR

 

[LucaBrasi]

Jones was not overwhelmed as a rookie. Deflected a ball in week 2 for a big pick, played well vs. Jordan Reed in first Skins game, did well against Gronk too. Hopefully with seasoning, he becomes more of a playmaker. I get why people are excited, but there wasn't anything extraordinary from him.

Not giving up on Gregory. Offseason should do wonders for him. Hoping for a Lawrence type jump in play from him.

The rest of it? meh. As the article states, Collins fell in their lap. He was their best rookie, and JJ deserves credit for selling him on Dallas, but this wasnt some kind of scouting coup.

Will McClay has had some early round success, but were are the late round gems? He's had 2 drafts, so I'm not throwing him out the door, but not quite sure I get the fawning over him. When he hits one or two 4-7th round all pros, I will get excited. He's done a quality job with street free agents, made a few decent early round selections - let's start hitting late in the draft, where good scouts, scouting directors, GMs, really make the difference.

 

[chicago JK]

I have hopes Wilson turns into something. Maybe that is just a good reserve, but I think he may be a good pick.

I agree though, we have really struggled in rounds 3-7. It has been a long time since we uncovered a gem there. I don't expect one every year but every once in a while. We even struggle with depth at these draft spots.

 

[CATCH17]

Without question. Jones and Gregory have potential with various degrees.

I feel pretty safe saying Chaz Green will never be a top notch starter. Just my opinion.

Damien Wilson and Ryan Russell look like players that will bounce around the league long enough to get the NFL pension.

That is where the great and all holy McClay needs to improve. Hit big on a late rounder, it makes a draft.

I like the talent from what I have seen but I think he is just one of those guys who always seems to be injured.

 

[jazzcat22]

Jones was asked to do a lot, and at times it showed, other times, a good part of the time he showed why he was a 1st round pick.
Put him at FS and that is set for 10 years. Bring in a true SS, and keep Wilcox and / or Church for depth. Or live with one of them 2 at SS for another year will most likely be it.

Gregory's season was basically done with the high ankle sprain, which effected him all year. Get him in the weight room, and I think we see a big leap next year. He has shown good things.
For anyone saying he is a bust, this is why you are not a GM. LOL.

Still not sure why they picked Green. They had a chance to play him the last few games, but didn't. Will need to wait and see. Will not write him off, as we have not seen him play.

Wilson, why didn't he get on the field more, and when he was, I didn't notice. Will see if year 2 he shows something.
Russell, showed some flashes in TC and PS games, didn't get the chance and then injuries, yet another player with injuries, missing most of the season. Need to see more.
But as was posted above, they 2 may end up bouncing around the NFL for 5 to 8 years as role players. 2 wasted picks if they can't contribute here for 3 or 4 years of that time.

Nzeocha, yet another red shirt pick...getting tired of these, hope he was worth it. will see what he does in TC
Gibson, this was a total waste, really torgued me off, this entire 7th round
Swaim, see above. Now he may really help next year, as we need him to, but they could have not traded for him. They could have had on eof the 2 above as a UDFA and picked Swaim instead. But no, Jerry had to be cute and couldn't resist making a trade where he wants to show everyone how smart he thinks he is on these matters.

Some FA's
Collins...just a great signing, and other than replacing Free, the OL is set for years.
Whitehead....looks to be a good find. I think he improves a lot
Irving....looks to be a very good plucking of some teams PS
Moore....he is not the anser, wasn't even going to list him, maybe I should remove him...LOL..but he may be a decent 3rd team QB.

Trades
Butler....he should compete for 3rd WR if one isn't drafted, pushing TWill and him down the list. He has already surpassed Street. Whitehead's role is set.

Overall I think the team did pretty well. All teams have these types of players [though one would think we are the only team with some posts...lol..], ones that you really need to wait and see, or they bounce around the NFL like our mid round picks may do. Some take a good 3 years to develop.