Who was the Last Great Cowboy Defensive Draft Pick?

[T-RO]

We've not spent a lot of top picks on defense, but geesh. It doesn't seem like we've scored real well in the past five years when we have made the investment.

Claiborne, Jones, Lawrence have had various degrees of success, but probably haven't delivered first round value.

Yes we've made some excellent selections, and some recently. Anthony Brown at round 6 was superb. Maelick might deliver the goods for a third round pick.

But I'm talking about elite talent. When did we last draft someone really good for the defense?

(Let's hold off on Jaylon please. We don't know yet)

 

[Plankton]

Sean Lee.

 

[vlad]

Interesting question - elite... Ware? Lee would be there if he had been more healthy.

I hope I'm missing somebody...

 

[StarBoyz83]

I honestly cannot remember anybody decent besides lee. Still think jones will be really good.

MO and dlaw were fails that costed 4 draft picks.

 

[perrykemp]

Sean Lee.

Even the Lee pick was slightly problematic -- he's only managed to play 1 out of 6 full seasons to date and his reliability and availability until this year was completely unpredictable.

 

[J_Allen]

Jay Ratliff in the 7th round

 

[conner01]

Too early to judge jones but elite players
Ware and lee were the last elite defensive players
And picking 28th an elite player is going to be a tall order this year. Pass rusher go high and while teams hit on players in every rnd they're really mostly high picks

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

Demarcus Ware, who was a once in a decade kind of player. Sean Lee was an excellent pick as well, now that we have him in a better lb position. Byron Jones has the opportunity of being very good as well.

 

[J_Allen]

Demarcus Ware, who was a once in a decade kind of player. Sean Lee was an excellent pick as well, now that we have him in a better lb position. Byron Jones has the opportunity of being very good as well.

He may have been once-in-a-decade if he had an ounce of leadership ability. He didn't. He was part of the country club atmosphere here. How long was he here? A decade? 1 playoff win? He was King of the inconsequential sack and part of the annual December collapses.

 

[T-RO]

Lee was who came to mind as the last one...in my thinking. He was drafted seven years ago.

We are due.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Ware. I'd probably pick Lee but he's been injured too much.

 

[T-RO]

Jay Ratliff in the 7th round

He was great for a short window...and for a 7th round pick. Wow.

Headcase though.

 

[J_Allen]

He was great for a short window...and for a 7th round pick. Wow.

Headcase though.

No doubt. He was a beast at nose tackle and only 290 pounds.

 

[StarBoyz83]

We've not spent a lot of top picks on defense, but geesh. It doesn't seem like we've scored real well in the past five years when we have made the investment.

Claiborne, Jones, Lawrence have had various degrees of success, but probably haven't delivered first round value.

Yes we've made some excellent selections, and some recently. Anthony Brown at round 6 was superb. Maelick might deliver the goods for a third round pick.

But I'm talking about elite talent. When did we last draft someone really good for the defense?

(Let's hold off on Jaylon please. We don't know yet)

Dallas needs to go into this offseason as if tapper and smith won't play next season.

 

[Robbieac]

He may have been once-in-a-decade if he had an ounce of leadership ability. He didn't. He was part of the country club atmosphere here. How long was he here? A decade? 1 playoff win? He was King of the inconsequential sack and part of the annual December collapses.

I suggest you duck!

 

[robjay04]

Dallas needs to go into this offseason as if tapper and smith won't play next season.

How about go into the offseason as if nobody on your defensive roster will play.

 

[Doomsay]

How about go into the offseason as if nobody on your defensive roster will play.

Sounds expensive.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Sean Lee.

Disagree. DeMarcus Ware.

Lee's history has been inconsistent due to injuries. Ware is a HoFer.

 

[StarBoyz83]

How about go into the offseason as if nobody on your defensive roster will play.

Lol might as well. Only real starter is lee.

 

[Zordon]

How about go into the offseason as if nobody on your defensive roster will play.

I wish they would. But the way Jerry and Stephen keep talking up Jaylon Smith, it makes me think they're going to put a lot on his shoulders to fix this D.