The Draft Of All Drafts, Simply Mind Boggling

[SFloridaCowboy]

If someone said the Cowboys will have one draft like this, you would say it is impossible. But I was there many moons ago in NYC cheering on the greatest draft haul in NFL history:

1. Hall of Fame DT, an instant impact and generational talent
2. Three starting offensive linemen, two of who made the Pro Bowl several times
3. Three starting LB's, two of whom made Pro Bowl, one several times. The third was a solid starting LB. One LB ran a 9.5 100 yard dash and returned kickoffs as a rookie.
4. A strong safety who started only one year, 1979, but was a premier third safety who would play on passing downs and would have started on most NFL teams. He had All-Pros Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters ahead of him. He was a turnover machine.
5. A starting punter
6. A quality backup fullback, 3rd down back and and occasional starter, who came ready to play all roles as a rookie
7. A backup center and answer to a great trivia question: who was the center for Roger Staubach on the historic miraculous Hail Mary TD pass to Drew Pearson in the 1975 playoffs? The starting center John Fitzgerald had injured is right hand and could not snap well and this rookie #57 came in and became part of the legendary pass in Cowboys history. Everyone needs to see this final drive. Drew Pearson caught passes totaling 86 yards on this drive, a superman performance.

Introducing, the Dirty Dozen of 50 years ago, 1975! The greatest draft in NFL history.

	Misc				Passing	Rushing	Receiving
Rnd	Player	Pick	Pos	Yrs	From	To	AP1	PB	St	wAV	G	Cmp	Att	Yds	TD	Int	Att	Yds	TD	Rec	Yds	TD	College/Univ
1	Randy White HOF	2	DT	14	1975	1988	7	9	11	116	209				0				0			0	Maryland
1	Thomas Henderson	18	LB	6	1975	1980	0	1	3	29	75				0				0			0	Langston
2	Burton Lawless	44	G	6	1975	1980	0	0	1	22	82				0				0			0	Florida
3	Bob Breunig	70	LB	10	1975	1984	0	3	9	62	135				0				0	1	21	0	Arizona St.
4	Pat Donovan	90	T	9	1975	1983	0	4	7	64	129				0				0			0	Stanford
4	Randy Hughes	96	DB	6	1975	1980	0	0	1	19	77				0				0			0	Oklahoma
5	Kyle Davis	113	C	2	1975	1978	0	0	0	6	21				0				0			0	Oklahoma
6	Rolly Woolsey	148	DB	4	1975	1978	0	0	1	9	44				0				0			0	Boise St.
7	Mike Hegman	173	LB	12	1976	1987	0	0	8	54	170				0				0			0	Tennessee St.
8	Mitch Hoopes	200	P	3	1975	1977	0	0	0	3	25	1	3	21	0	0	3	23	0			0	Arizona
9															0				0			0	Rutgers
10									0														Millersville
11							0	0	0														Oregon St.
12																							Cincinnati
13	Herbert Scott	330	G	10	1975	1984	2	3	7	68	140				0				0			0	Virginia Union
14	Scott Laidlaw	356	RB

 

[big dog cowboy]

Introducing, the Dirty Dozen of 50 years ago, 1975! The greatest draft in NFL history.

Will never be duplicated. FO's and scouting across the league are all so much more better now than in those days. And no team likely have that many draft picks in a single season again.

 

[Pola_pe_a]

1974 Steelers was better. 5 HOF players

1st round: HOF WR Lynn Swann
2nd round: HOF LB Jack Lambert
4th round: HOF WR John Stallworth
5th round: HOF C Mike Webster
UDFA: HOF S Donnie Shell

 

[SFloridaCowboy]

Eight starters out of one draft, the 1975 Boys' draft, is clearly number 1. Nice runner-up to 1974 Steelers. Webster was an admitted steroids guy who died early because of such use. I doubt he would have made it without the roids.

 

[jaybird]

If someone said the Cowboys will have one draft like this, you would say it is impossible. But I was there many moons ago in NYC cheering on the greatest draft haul in NFL history:

1. Hall of Fame DT, an instant impact and generational talent
2. Three starting offensive linemen, two of who made the Pro Bowl several times
3. Three starting LB's, two of whom made Pro Bowl, one several times. The third was a solid starting LB. One LB ran a 9.5 100 yard dash and returned kickoffs as a rookie.
4. A strong safety who started only one year, 1979, but was a premier third safety who would play on passing downs and would have started on most NFL teams. He had All-Pros Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters ahead of him. He was a turnover machine.
5. A starting punter
6. A quality backup fullback, 3rd down back and and occasional starter, who came ready to play all roles as a rookie
7. A backup center and answer to a great trivia question: who was the center for Roger Staubach on the historic miraculous Hail Mary TD pass to Drew Pearson in the 1975 playoffs? The starting center John Fitzgerald had injured is right hand and could not snap well and this rookie #57 came in and became part of the legendary pass in Cowboys history. Everyone needs to see this final drive. Drew Pearson caught passes totaling 86 yards on this drive, a superman performance.

Introducing, the Dirty Dozen of 50 years ago, 1975! The greatest draft in NFL history.

	Misc				Passing	Rushing	Receiving
Rnd	Player	Pick	Pos	Yrs	From	To	AP1	PB	St	wAV	G	Cmp	Att	Yds	TD	Int	Att	Yds	TD	Rec	Yds	TD	College/Univ
1	Randy White HOF	2	DT	14	1975	1988	7	9	11	116	209				0				0			0	Maryland
1	Thomas Henderson	18	LB	6	1975	1980	0	1	3	29	75				0				0			0	Langston
2	Burton Lawless	44	G	6	1975	1980	0	0	1	22	82				0				0			0	Florida
3	Bob Breunig	70	LB	10	1975	1984	0	3	9	62	135				0				0	1	21	0	Arizona St.
4	Pat Donovan	90	T	9	1975	1983	0	4	7	64	129				0				0			0	Stanford
4	Randy Hughes	96	DB	6	1975	1980	0	0	1	19	77				0				0			0	Oklahoma
5	Kyle Davis	113	C	2	1975	1978	0	0	0	6	21				0				0			0	Oklahoma
6	Rolly Woolsey	148	DB	4	1975	1978	0	0	1	9	44				0				0			0	Boise St.
7	Mike Hegman	173	LB	12	1976	1987	0	0	8	54	170				0				0			0	Tennessee St.
8	Mitch Hoopes	200	P	3	1975	1977	0	0	0	3	25	1	3	21	0	0	3	23	0			0	Arizona
9															0				0			0	Rutgers
10									0														Millersville
11							0	0	0														Oregon St.
12																							Cincinnati
13	Herbert Scott	330	G	10	1975	1984	2	3	7	68	140				0				0			0	Virginia Union
14	Scott Laidlaw	356	RB

I thought another great play was Preston Pearson’s sidline catch on 4th down. Didnt see in the video. Roger was maginicent

 

[SFloridaCowboy]

It was Drew Pearson's 25 yard leap into the heavens catch at the sideline on 4th down which was most impressive.

 

[fivetwos]

If someone said the Cowboys will have one draft like this, you would say it is impossible. But I was there many moons ago in NYC cheering on the greatest draft haul in NFL history:

1. Hall of Fame DT, an instant impact and generational talent
2. Three starting offensive linemen, two of who made the Pro Bowl several times
3. Three starting LB's, two of whom made Pro Bowl, one several times. The third was a solid starting LB. One LB ran a 9.5 100 yard dash and returned kickoffs as a rookie.
4. A strong safety who started only one year, 1979, but was a premier third safety who would play on passing downs and would have started on most NFL teams. He had All-Pros Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters ahead of him. He was a turnover machine.
5. A starting punter
6. A quality backup fullback, 3rd down back and and occasional starter, who came ready to play all roles as a rookie
7. A backup center and answer to a great trivia question: who was the center for Roger Staubach on the historic miraculous Hail Mary TD pass to Drew Pearson in the 1975 playoffs? The starting center John Fitzgerald had injured is right hand and could not snap well and this rookie #57 came in and became part of the legendary pass in Cowboys history. Everyone needs to see this final drive. Drew Pearson caught passes totaling 86 yards on this drive, a superman performance.

Introducing, the Dirty Dozen of 50 years ago, 1975! The greatest draft in NFL history.

	Misc				Passing	Rushing	Receiving
Rnd	Player	Pick	Pos	Yrs	From	To	AP1	PB	St	wAV	G	Cmp	Att	Yds	TD	Int	Att	Yds	TD	Rec	Yds	TD	College/Univ
1	Randy White HOF	2	DT	14	1975	1988	7	9	11	116	209				0				0			0	Maryland
1	Thomas Henderson	18	LB	6	1975	1980	0	1	3	29	75				0				0			0	Langston
2	Burton Lawless	44	G	6	1975	1980	0	0	1	22	82				0				0			0	Florida
3	Bob Breunig	70	LB	10	1975	1984	0	3	9	62	135				0				0	1	21	0	Arizona St.
4	Pat Donovan	90	T	9	1975	1983	0	4	7	64	129				0				0			0	Stanford
4	Randy Hughes	96	DB	6	1975	1980	0	0	1	19	77				0				0			0	Oklahoma
5	Kyle Davis	113	C	2	1975	1978	0	0	0	6	21				0				0			0	Oklahoma
6	Rolly Woolsey	148	DB	4	1975	1978	0	0	1	9	44				0				0			0	Boise St.
7	Mike Hegman	173	LB	12	1976	1987	0	0	8	54	170				0				0			0	Tennessee St.
8	Mitch Hoopes	200	P	3	1975	1977	0	0	0	3	25	1	3	21	0	0	3	23	0			0	Arizona
9															0				0			0	Rutgers
10									0														Millersville
11							0	0	0														Oregon St.
12																							Cincinnati
13	Herbert Scott	330	G	10	1975	1984	2	3	7	68	140				0				0			0	Virginia Union
14	Scott Laidlaw	356	RB

Yep, the best draft in team history. 2005 was outstanding as well. 1991 is third IMO, bearing in mind I can’t speak to drafts before I existed.

Those three had one thing in common….multiple first round picks due to shrewd trades. That ain’t happening here these days.

That aside, note how much better the unis look with the grey pants instead of some ridiculous off color light blue that matches neither the blue on the helmet or the numbers.

 

[Pola_pe_a]

Eight starters out of one draft, the 1975 Boys' draft, is clearly number 1. Nice runner-up to 1974 Steelers. Webster was an admitted steroids guy who died early because of such use. I doubt he would have made it without the roids.

Henderson didn’t start for 3 years
Lawless not a starter
Hughes not a starter
Davis- played 2 years never started
Woolsey- never started for Dallas. Played 1 year
Hegman didn't start for 4 years
Hoopes- played 1 year for Dallas.
Laidlaw- not a starter

Hate to break it to you but Randy White used steroids.

 

[fivetwos]

Henderson didn’t start for 3 years
Lawless not a starter
Hughes not a starter
Davis- played 2 years never started
Woolsey- never started for Dallas. Played 1 year
Hegman didn't start for 4 years
Hoopes- played 1 year for Dallas.
Laidlaw- not a starter

Hate to break it to you but Randy White used steroids.

No mention of Donovan, Scott or Breunig, or did that not fit your narrative?

Ten Pro Bowls combined.

 

[Hagman]

Don't forget the 1964 draft where we selected Mel Renfro, Bob Hayes and Roger Staubach.

Three Hall of Fame Players. Not too shabby.

 

[Risen Star]

A lot of reaches in that class.

 

[RS12]

That was back when the Cowboys were the only team using computers. Murchison was content cashing checks. And Brandt, Schram and Ermal Allen were allowed to do their jobs without an egomaniac mugging for the cameras.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Will never be duplicated. FO's and scouting across the league are all so much more better now than in those days. And no team likely have that many draft picks in a single season again.

Yeah cowboys were heads and shoulders above the rest of the league in draft prep. Today the playing field is pretty level

 

[jazzcat22]

That was back when the Cowboys were the only team using computers. Murchison was content cashing checks. And Brandt, Schram and Ermal Allen were allowed to do their jobs without an egomaniac mugging for the cameras.

Dallas went from using computers to using Jimmy's brain to using Jerry's brain. Talk about a loss of computing skills.
Dang, no wonder it has been almost 30 years.

 

[Established1971]

ha, 4 of those guys were on the field when I went on the field at the end of the last game of 75 at Shea Stadium (like a thousand fans did at the end of the last Jet game each year until they stopped it). I was standing very close to Hoopes, Woolsley, Hughes and some others. The vets got into the locker room quick but the rookies didnt. Great memory.

 

[blueblood70]

Will never be duplicated. FO's and scouting across the league are all so much more better now than in those days. And no team likely have that many draft picks in a single season again.

Maybe not duplicated but similarities on why you launched a dynasty is the Dallas Cowboys herschel Walker trade.. All the players we got because of that trade it just set off a domino effect to a dominant run.. It was definitely a little easier to do back then but it would be tough to duplicate but if we just come somewhat close to that lol ..

 

[Vabchshark]

Eight starters out of one draft, the 1975 Boys' draft, is clearly number 1. Nice runner-up to 1974 Steelers. Webster was an admitted steroids guy who died early because of such use. I doubt he would have made it without the roids.

As well with the abbreviated career Swan had, he shouldn't even be in the HOF. And trust me, if he played for Dallas he wouldn't be!

 

[gtb1943]

Henderson didn’t start for 3 years
Lawless not a starter
Hughes not a starter
Davis- played 2 years never started
Woolsey- never started for Dallas. Played 1 year
Hegman didn't start for 4 years
Hoopes- played 1 year for Dallas.
Laidlaw- not a starter

Hate to break it to you but Randy White used steroids.

prove it or shut up about Manster

 

[john van brocklin]

If someone said the Cowboys will have one draft like this, you would say it is impossible. But I was there many moons ago in NYC cheering on the greatest draft haul in NFL history:

1. Hall of Fame DT, an instant impact and generational talent
2. Three starting offensive linemen, two of who made the Pro Bowl several times
3. Three starting LB's, two of whom made Pro Bowl, one several times. The third was a solid starting LB. One LB ran a 9.5 100 yard dash and returned kickoffs as a rookie.
4. A strong safety who started only one year, 1979, but was a premier third safety who would play on passing downs and would have started on most NFL teams. He had All-Pros Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters ahead of him. He was a turnover machine.
5. A starting punter
6. A quality backup fullback, 3rd down back and and occasional starter, who came ready to play all roles as a rookie
7. A backup center and answer to a great trivia question: who was the center for Roger Staubach on the historic miraculous Hail Mary TD pass to Drew Pearson in the 1975 playoffs? The starting center John Fitzgerald had injured is right hand and could not snap well and this rookie #57 came in and became part of the legendary pass in Cowboys history. Everyone needs to see this final drive. Drew Pearson caught passes totaling 86 yards on this drive, a superman performance.

Introducing, the Dirty Dozen of 50 years ago, 1975! The greatest draft in NFL history.

	Misc				Passing	Rushing	Receiving
Rnd	Player	Pick	Pos	Yrs	From	To	AP1	PB	St	wAV	G	Cmp	Att	Yds	TD	Int	Att	Yds	TD	Rec	Yds	TD	College/Univ
1	Randy White HOF	2	DT	14	1975	1988	7	9	11	116	209				0				0			0	Maryland
1	Thomas Henderson	18	LB	6	1975	1980	0	1	3	29	75				0				0			0	Langston
2	Burton Lawless	44	G	6	1975	1980	0	0	1	22	82				0				0			0	Florida
3	Bob Breunig	70	LB	10	1975	1984	0	3	9	62	135				0				0	1	21	0	Arizona St.
4	Pat Donovan	90	T	9	1975	1983	0	4	7	64	129				0				0			0	Stanford
4	Randy Hughes	96	DB	6	1975	1980	0	0	1	19	77				0				0			0	Oklahoma
5	Kyle Davis	113	C	2	1975	1978	0	0	0	6	21				0				0			0	Oklahoma
6	Rolly Woolsey	148	DB	4	1975	1978	0	0	1	9	44				0				0			0	Boise St.
7	Mike Hegman	173	LB	12	1976	1987	0	0	8	54	170				0				0			0	Tennessee St.
8	Mitch Hoopes	200	P	3	1975	1977	0	0	0	3	25	1	3	21	0	0	3	23	0			0	Arizona
9															0				0			0	Rutgers
10									0														Millersville
11							0	0	0														Oregon St.
12																							Cincinnati
13	Herbert Scott	330	G	10	1975	1984	2	3	7	68	140				0				0			0	Virginia Union
14	Scott Laidlaw	356	RB

The Hail Mary Game was the first Cowboys game I saw.
Needless to say I was hooked and am still following this team 50 years later.
Nice write up, we had another stellar draft in the early 60s where we drafted 2 HOFers in the same draft.
Bob Lilly and cant recall the other.