We just don't draft well...

[Galian Beast]

And that's why our team fails in the long run...

You win football games with good depth, and we haven't had it.

That said I have confidence in our last two draft classes.

Hell 2007 might turn out a decent class.

I think 2008 was our best draft since 2005. But then I can go back to 1994 before I see another good draft.

First time in a long time I can say I like the depth we have on defense. Wish it wasn't as young and inexperienced as it is, but I can see it as a building block.

We have a lot of potential in our secondary and lb corps. Wish we could get a some more players on our defensive line though. Still holding out for Hatcher to do something.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

And that's why our team fails in the long run...

You win football games with good depth, and we haven't had it.

That said I have confidence in our last two draft classes.

Hell 2007 might turn out a decent class.

I think 2008 was our best draft since 2005. But then I can go back to 1994 before I see another good draft.

First time in a long time I can say I like the depth we have on defense. Wish it wasn't as young and inexperienced as it is, but I can see it as a building block.

We have a lot of potential in our secondary and lb corps. Wish we could get a some more players on our defensive line though. Still holding out for Hatcher to do something.

Hatcher needs to play everydown "to do" something. You cant expect a guy to come in on passing downs and get sacks. He is just behind Spears and now Igor.

I just hate drating all of these bum lineman only to watch none of them step up and take the LG position. Flo played with one arm last year and we were lead to believe that a one Armed Flo was a better option than his backups. I want a first round tackle to replace Flo, not bums from mid majors no one has heard of.

 

[cowboyfreak]

Sadly, I kind of agree although I think we are improving.

But the problem is that teams in our division, minus Washington are drafting better too.

The Eagles seem to be making better decisions than us.


And does Jerry Reese ever miss on a draft pick???

 

[Stash]

Drafting quality offensive linemen and wide receivers seems to elude this team.

And looking at the current team, I think that's exactly where they'll need to focus their attention for next year's draft.

I'm also tired of every washout lineman trying to play guard rather than putting a higher priority on the position and simply getting rid of guys who can't play.

 

[Hostile]

I disagree with the OP but I grade Drafts on a different scale than most people do. I believe backups are more valuable than some do. Having a guy provide depth at a position for 4 years is more successful than finding backups every single year. The idea that every Draft pick should turn out to be a starter is nonsense. Just looking at our last 5 drafts we find this.

2005...4 players still on the team. All starters. 3 have been to Pro Bowls. 2 of those picks made it to this year before moving on.

2006...4 players still on the team. 1 player traded away or he might still be on the team.

2007...7 players still on the team. 3 starters. 1 has been to the Pro Bowl.

2008...5 players still on the team. 1 starter. All contribute.

2009...Haven't even played to be judged yet. I expect 8 or more to make this team.

28 or more players from 5 years worth of Drafts. I'd call that good drafting.

 

[BlueStar II]

I wish we had better luck with our OL picks, we haven't had much luck with our OL picks in quite some time, but I'm not saying anything new, we all know that already. It's just frustrating though.....

 

[tomson75]

While I agree with our inability to draft OL, I disagree with our inability to draft well as a whole. I think our failures lie elsewhere...i.e. coaching, dumb trades, and stupid FA additions.

 

[Tovya]

I disagree with the OP but I grade Drafts on a different scale than most people do. I believe backups are more valuable than some do. Having a guy provide depth at a position for 4 years is more successful than finding backups every single year. The idea that every Draft pick should turn out to be a starter is nonsense. Just looking at our last 5 drafts we find this.

2005...4 players still on the team. All starters. 3 have been to Pro Bowls. 2 of those picks made it to this year before moving on.

2006...4 players still on the team. 1 player traded away or he might still be on the team.

2007...7 players still on the team. 3 starters. 1 has been to the Pro Bowl.

2008...5 players still on the team. 1 starter. All contribute.

2009...Haven't even played to be judged yet. I expect 8 or more to make this team.

28 or more players from 5 years worth of Drafts. I'd call that good drafting.

I'm with you--I actually think we have drafted well. And looking at the current roster, you almost have to agree...

After all, look at all the gems we pulled from the rough.

Marion Barber was a 4th rounder, and so was Tashard Choice, and he's looking to be a great sleeper pick--and let's not forget about Jay Ratliff in the 7th round of 2005. Brady James isn't a superstar either, but he's a fine 4th rounder.

Jason Witten, the greatest TE in the NFL was a 3rd rounder. Nick Folk in the 6th--Canty (even if gone) in the 4th

And the list goes on...

And look at our 1st rounders...

Terrance Newman & DeMarcus Ware are both 1st rounders that are some of the best at their respective positions as well. Felix Jones & Mike Jenkins will probably far prove their 1st round worthiness as well.

Quincy Carter as our overall 1st pick was nice (JUST KIDDING, don't stone me).

 

[viman96]

Other than the dark years, as a whole, this team has drafted fairly well. You do you achieve the success this franchise has without drafting well.

 

[BrassCowboy]

And that's why our team fails in the long run...

You win football games with good depth, and we haven't had it.

That said I have confidence in our last two draft classes.

Hell 2007 might turn out a decent class.

I think 2008 was our best draft since 2005. But then I can go back to 1994 before I see another good draft.

First time in a long time I can say I like the depth we have on defense. Wish it wasn't as young and inexperienced as it is, but I can see it as a building block.

We have a lot of potential in our secondary and lb corps. Wish we could get a some more players on our defensive line though. Still holding out for Hatcher to do something.

I think Hatcher should be starting. I think he will be a beast for us if we just play him more.

 

[Hoofbite]

Prior to the BP years, I'd agree. When Parcells got to Dallas the drafting improved greatly. Thankfully it looks to have carried over to Wade. Hopefully it keeps on going.

 

[Stash]

I think Hatcher should be starting. I think he will be a beast for us if we just play him more.

I disagree.

It looks to me like Hatcher has regressed rather then progressed.

I think this is a make or break year for him in Dallas.

 

[cobra]

We just don't draft well. And that's why our team fails in the long run..

This is just bollocks. We have an extremely high percentage of talent that is home grown.

Our scouting department picked:

Romo
Barber
Felix Jones
T. Choice
Witten
Bennett
Austin
Hurd
Crayton
Gurode
Ratliff
Ware
Spears
Ellis
James
Newman
Scandrick
Jenkins
McBriar
Folk

That's 20 legitimate starters or contributors that's are home grown, that includes Pro Bowlers and possibly the best defensive player in the league.

And I know that Spencer does not get love yet, but I think after this year, people's opinions on him change and he will be on that list with a vengeance. And if they did not leave this off-season, you would put Canty and Burnett on those lists too. So you can probably say 23 serious starting caliber players.

The jury is still out on Hatcher, Dixon, Free, Marten, Watkins, and this year's picks, so there might be some more you can add to that 23 number.

Yes, Carpenter was a bad pick. GET THE **** OVER IT ALREADY. For every Carpenter, there is a Ratliff. So just shut the hell up about this miss there. And we missed on a few o-linemen.

Riddle me this: if we are such a horrible drafting team, what team is better than us? I can't think of many (any?) that can put up 23 starting caliber players.

It is complete nonsense to say that we are not a good drafting team. I submit that we are one of the best in the entire league.

 

[Section446]

Pure fallacy...

 

[cobra]

And before someone throws out a dumb arse retort to my post that "We didn't draft Romo, Austin, etc".... save it. An UDFA signed the day of the draft is the same thing as a draft pick when you are assessing our ability to draft/get college players.

 

[Tovya]

And before someone throws out a dumb arse retort to my post that "We didn't draft Romo, Austin, etc".... save it. An UDFA signed the day of the draft is the same thing as a draft pick when you are assessing our ability to draft/get college players.

I'm with you completely. I count Romo and the others as picks because they aren't cast-offs of other teams... no one else wanted them, and we did, so it shows our smarts IMO.

 

[bhamzspecial]

You just know realizing that. In the past 10 years we probably had 2 good drafts, 3 if include 2008. That's why were 79-81 in the last 10 years and won 0 playoff games. But it is encoraging the last 6 years we have done better. 2003,2005 and 2008?

 

[Longboysfan]

Sadly, I kind of agree although I think we are improving.

But the problem is that teams in our division, minus Washington are drafting better too.

The Eagles seem to be making better decisions than us.


And does Jerry Reese ever miss on a draft pick???

In drafting yes. But if you look at how they keep players that is another story.

 

[CATCH17]

Dallas drafts as well as anybody in the league.

Thats really all there is to it. If you haven't picked up on that by now than you really need to question your knowledge of whats going on with this team.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

I have thought for the past few years that the drafts have been pretty good. But you know what? These guys have won nothing. No playoff games and have choked at the end of the season. You can talk about how great the drafts have been but until they win something, it’s just smoke being blown up peoples butts. You draft talented, choke artists & excuse makers...Congrats!