CFZ Where recent Cowboys drafts have shown strength

[Bobhaze]

Will McClay has clearly done a great job scouting players for the Jones boys to select. Give Jerry some credit for hiring McClay and keeping him around because before he came along our drafts were a crapshoot at best.

We have to hope this year’s draft will produce some immediate help. It usually takes at least 2-3 years to have an informed opinion about a draft class, so lots of time to go before we know.

The Cowboys have gotten better at drafting the last few years. Here’s some tidbits that show this:

• All 35 draft picks made since the 2018 draft as of now are still in the NFL.
• The top 5 picks of the 2018 draft have all played 50 or more games in their careers.
• The first 5 players selected in last year’s draft played in 13 or more games in 2021.
• In the McClay era, there have been fewer busts in the early rounds. The more recent busts here were Taco, Jaylon Smith, maybe Trysten Hill (too early yet to know)

One way to know how good a drafted player is how many NFL games they have played.

• One late round player from all the way back to 2007 is still playing- Nick Folk, the K we took in round 6 of the 2007 draft is still playing.
• Here are the Cowboys draft picks of the 21st century who have the most NFL games played- some may surprise you- here are those players and the HC who influenced the pick-
  • Jason Witten, TE round 3, 2003 draft- (a Parcells draft pick) played 271 games- not surprising
  • Terrance Newman, CB, round 1 of 2004 draft (Parcells pick) played 221 games
  • Nick Folk, K, round 6 of 2007 draft, (Phillips pick) played 194 games and counting
  • Anthony Fasano- TE, round 2 of 2006 draft (Parcells pick) played 180 games
  • DeMarcus Ware, DE/LB, round 1 of 2005 draft, (Parcells pick) played 174 games
  • Tyron Smith, T, round 1 of 2011 draft (Garrett Pick) played 144 games so far.

We have a pretty good overall draft history in the last 20+ years. The problem has been what kind of coaching, development and culture are these players brought into?

 

[john van brocklin]

Will McClay has clearly done a great job scouting players for the Jones boys to select. Give Jerry some credit for hiring McClay and keeping him around because before he came along our drafts were a crapshoot at best.

We have to hope this year’s draft will produce some immediate help. It usually takes at least 2-3 years to have an informed opinion about a draft class, so lots of time to go before we know.

The Cowboys have gotten better at drafting the last few years. Here’s some tidbits that show this:

• All 35 draft picks made since the 2018 draft as of now are still in the NFL.
• The top 5 picks of the 2018 draft have all played 50 or more games in their careers.
• The first 5 players selected in last year’s draft played in 13 or more games in 2021.
• In the McClay era, there have been fewer busts in the early rounds. The more recent busts here were Taco, Jaylon Smith, maybe Trysten Hill (too early yet to know)

One way to know how good a drafted player is how many NFL games they have played.

• One late round player from all the way back to 2007 is still playing- Nick Folk, the K we took in round 6 of the 2007 draft is still playing.
• Here are the Cowboys draft picks of the 21st century who have the most NFL games played- some may surprise you- here are those players and the HC who influenced the pick-
  • Jason Witten, TE round 3, 2003 draft- (a Parcells draft pick) played 271 games- not surprising
  • Terrance Newman, CB, round 1 of 2004 draft (Parcells pick) played 221 games
  • Nick Folk, K, round 6 of 2007 draft, (Phillips pick) played 194 games and counting
  • Anthony Fasano- TE, round 2 of 2006 draft (Parcells pick) played 180 games
  • DeMarcus aware, DE/LB, round 1 of 2005 draft, (Parcells pick) played 174 games
  • Tyron Smith, T, round 1 of 2011 draft (Garrett Pick) played 144 games so far.

We have a pretty good overall draft history in the last 20+ years. The problem has been what kind of coaching, development and culture are these players brought into?

Culture is one of the keys.
You can have talent , but it has to be refined and motavated.

 

[817Gill]

Will McClay has clearly done a great job scouting players for the Jones boys to select. Give Jerry some credit for hiring McClay and keeping him around because before he came along our drafts were a crapshoot at best.

We have to hope this year’s draft will produce some immediate help. It usually takes at least 2-3 years to have an informed opinion about a draft class, so lots of time to go before we know.

The Cowboys have gotten better at drafting the last few years. Here’s some tidbits that show this:

• All 35 draft picks made since the 2018 draft as of now are still in the NFL.
• The top 5 picks of the 2018 draft have all played 50 or more games in their careers.
• The first 5 players selected in last year’s draft played in 13 or more games in 2021.
• In the McClay era, there have been fewer busts in the early rounds. The more recent busts here were Taco, Jaylon Smith, maybe Trysten Hill (too early yet to know)

One way to know how good a drafted player is how many NFL games they have played.

• One late round player from all the way back to 2007 is still playing- Nick Folk, the K we took in round 6 of the 2007 draft is still playing.
• Here are the Cowboys draft picks of the 21st century who have the most NFL games played- some may surprise you- here are those players and the HC who influenced the pick-
  • Jason Witten, TE round 3, 2003 draft- (a Parcells draft pick) played 271 games- not surprising
  • Terrance Newman, CB, round 1 of 2004 draft (Parcells pick) played 221 games
  • Nick Folk, K, round 6 of 2007 draft, (Phillips pick) played 194 games and counting
  • Anthony Fasano- TE, round 2 of 2006 draft (Parcells pick) played 180 games
  • DeMarcus aware, DE/LB, round 1 of 2005 draft, (Parcells pick) played 174 games
  • Tyron Smith, T, round 1 of 2011 draft (Garrett Pick) played 144 games so far.

We have a pretty good overall draft history in the last 20+ years. The problem has been what kind of coaching, development and culture are these players brought into?

Bingo!

 

[Bobhaze]

Good drafts must also be strategic- in other words it’s not just drafting a talented player. A good draft should be somewhat like a puzzle where all the pieces fit into a whole which becomes a real team. Not just a collection of players like fantasy football.

 

[Jake]

Will McClay has clearly done a great job scouting players for the Jones boys to select. Give Jerry some credit for hiring McClay and keeping him around because before he came along our drafts were a crapshoot at best.

We have to hope this year’s draft will produce some immediate help. It usually takes at least 2-3 years to have an informed opinion about a draft class, so lots of time to go before we know.

You must be new here.

We will have bold declarations of greatness or garbage within seconds, and those hot takes will be defended for years from any contrary evidence that follows.

 

[Jake]

Good drafts must also be strategic- in other words it’s not just drafting a talented player. A good draft should be somewhat like a puzzle where all the pieces fit into a whole which becomes a real team. Not just a collection of players like fantasy football.

That's where the Jones boys get lost, at times. They may have a plan going in, but then someone falls and they can't resist taking him.

It is, sort of, fantasy football. Most front offices can't play that game but when you have jobs-for-life you can have a little fun with it.

 

[fivetwos]

Not really related, but I do believe the draft has become a full on means to improve immediately at a cheap rate thing as opposed to what it ought to be.

I very much hope I'm wrong but I expect that to catch up to them after not all that long.

 

[jazzcat22]

Does the 10 years of player development during Garrett HC training count?

 

[conner01]

Will McClay has clearly done a great job scouting players for the Jones boys to select. Give Jerry some credit for hiring McClay and keeping him around because before he came along our drafts were a crapshoot at best.

We have to hope this year’s draft will produce some immediate help. It usually takes at least 2-3 years to have an informed opinion about a draft class, so lots of time to go before we know.

The Cowboys have gotten better at drafting the last few years. Here’s some tidbits that show this:

• All 35 draft picks made since the 2018 draft as of now are still in the NFL.
• The top 5 picks of the 2018 draft have all played 50 or more games in their careers.
• The first 5 players selected in last year’s draft played in 13 or more games in 2021.
• In the McClay era, there have been fewer busts in the early rounds. The more recent busts here were Taco, Jaylon Smith, maybe Trysten Hill (too early yet to know)

One way to know how good a drafted player is how many NFL games they have played.

• One late round player from all the way back to 2007 is still playing- Nick Folk, the K we took in round 6 of the 2007 draft is still playing.
• Here are the Cowboys draft picks of the 21st century who have the most NFL games played- some may surprise you- here are those players and the HC who influenced the pick-
  • Jason Witten, TE round 3, 2003 draft- (a Parcells draft pick) played 271 games- not surprising
  • Terrance Newman, CB, round 1 of 2004 draft (Parcells pick) played 221 games
  • Nick Folk, K, round 6 of 2007 draft, (Phillips pick) played 194 games and counting
  • Anthony Fasano- TE, round 2 of 2006 draft (Parcells pick) played 180 games
  • DeMarcus Ware, DE/LB, round 1 of 2005 draft, (Parcells pick) played 174 games
  • Tyron Smith, T, round 1 of 2011 draft (Garrett Pick) played 144 games so far.

We have a pretty good overall draft history in the last 20+ years. The problem has been what kind of coaching, development and culture are these players brought into?

That’s how you judge drafts
Not how many are still on the team but how many are still playing
You can’t give second contracts to everyone and to me you only give second contracts to elite players or a small number of positions that even getting an equal player is very hard

 

[Creeper]

I think this data shows you cannot build a Championship team through the draft alone anymore. As good as the Cowboys have drafted, they have nothing to show for it. The Cowboys have been slow to recognize this and are sticking to their failed strategy.

 

[conner01]

Does the 10 years of player development during Garrett HC training count?

It’s a process

 

[CowboyRoy]

Good drafts must also be strategic- in other words it’s not just drafting a talented player. A good draft should be somewhat like a puzzle where all the pieces fit into a whole which becomes a real team. Not just a collection of players like fantasy football.

Which is the real problem here in Dallas. A lack of any real plan. Trading for Cooper, drafting Lamb, paying Dak, then still trying to be a run dominant team with an over the hill, slow RB like Zeke all while having pass first TE's that cant block. NO PLAN!!!

 

[CowboyRoy]

I think this data shows you cannot build a Championship team through the draft alone anymore. As good as the Cowboys have drafted, they have nothing to show for it. The Cowboys have been slow to recognize this and are sticking to their failed strategy.

It takes years of great drafting to form a championship team. Cowboys are on their way, but they keep screwing it up by resigning and overpaying the wrong guys.

Stop overpaying for resigning the wrong guys and insert a FA or two where you really need one and they would be right there.

 

[ESisback]

Good drafts must also be strategic- in other words it’s not just drafting a talented player. A good draft should be somewhat like a puzzle where all the pieces fit into a whole which becomes a real team. Not just a collection of players like fantasy football.

The LA Lakers take the fantasy football approach.

 

[Doomsday101]

That's where the Jones boys get lost, at times. They may have a plan going in, but then someone falls and they can't resist taking him.

It is, sort of, fantasy football. Most front offices can't play that game but when you have jobs-for-life you can have a little fun with it.

I think when Cowboys have drafted for need that is when they get into trouble. Parson was not a highly needed position but once he dropped in the draft Cowboys grabbed him. On the other hand it is drafts like Taco that gets them into trouble because they reach for the pick. I think when looking at draft you must look at longer term than a single season need. Having said that this is a fairly deep OL and Jones has said that OL will be the pick outside of a edge rusher dropping to them.

 

[Creeper]

It takes years of great drafting to form a championship team. Cowboys are on their way, but they keep screwing it up by resigning and overpaying the wrong guys.

Stop overpaying for resigning the wrong guys and insert a FA or two where you really need one and they would be right there.

But that is exactly why this strategy does not work. You don't have years to build a team anymore. Let's say you draft 5 starters per year. In 4 years you have drafted 20 starters, but now 25% of their rookie contracts are up and you have to re-sign them or let them leave via free agency. Some will leave even if you want to re-sign them. And drafting 5 starters a year for 4 years would be almost impossible. Everything would have to fall just right. Good players would have to drop. Positions you need would have to line up with your draft position. And your talent evaluators would have to be near perfect. Then, as you get more successful you draft later making the whole process even more difficult. In the meantime all of your opponents are also drafting, only they are signing top free agents too. It is like fighting with one hand tied behind your back.

 

[CowboyRoy]

But that is exactly why this strategy does not work. You don't have years to build a team anymore. Let's say you draft 5 starters per year. In 4 years you have drafted 20 starters, but now 25% of their rookie contracts are up and you have to re-sign them or let them leave via free agency. Some will leave even if you want to re-sign them. And drafting 5 starters a year for 4 years would be almost impossible. Everything would have to fall just right. Good players would have to drop. Positions you need would have to line up with your draft position. And your talent evaluators would have to be near perfect. Then, as you get more successful you draft later making the whole process even more difficult. In the meantime all of your opponents are also drafting, only they are signing top free agents too. It is like fighting with one hand tied behind your back.

Cowboys use FA, they just dont go big in it. But yah, they have one big avenue to improve the team while other teams have 3.

 

[Doomsday101]

But that is exactly why this strategy does not work. You don't have years to build a team anymore. Let's say you draft 5 starters per year. In 4 years you have drafted 20 starters, but now 25% of their rookie contracts are up and you have to re-sign them or let them leave via free agency. Some will leave even if you want to re-sign them. And drafting 5 starters a year for 4 years would be almost impossible. Everything would have to fall just right. Good players would have to drop. Positions you need would have to line up with your draft position. And your talent evaluators would have to be near perfect. Then, as you get more successful you draft later making the whole process even more difficult. In the meantime all of your opponents are also drafting, only they are signing top free agents too. It is like fighting with one hand tied behind your back.

You draft for need and you end up settling for lesser talent. Parson was not a big need but clearly the talent was there. Dallas has done this crap of drafting for need above drafting talent and it does not work out so well.

 

[Bobhaze]

I think when Cowboys have drafted for need that is when they get into trouble. Parson was not a highly needed position but once he dropped in the draft Cowboys grabbed him. On the other hand it is drafts like Taco that gets them into trouble because they reach for the pick. I think when looking at draft you must look at longer term than a single season need. Having said that this is a fairly deep OL and Jones has said that OL will be the pick outside of a edge rusher dropping to them.

Great point. And this is exactly what our FO has tended to do. Reach for a pick when in big need for immediate help.

 

[Doomsday101]

Great point. And this is exactly what our FO has tended to do. Reach for a pick when in big need for immediate help.

I think Jones has more confidence in McClay and for the most part it will be McClay handling the draft. I know Cowboys need OL and this is a good draft for that but would not pass up better talent at another position if is there.