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By Calvin Watkins Apr 25, 2019
Editor’s note: As part of our NFL Draft blitz week, The Athletic NFL took a team-by-team and league-wide glimpse at the draft from 2000 to 2015 to gauge the success or shortcomings of every team. We cut it off at ’15 so that all players have reached the end of their rookie contracts or had fifth-year options exercised.
The perception of the Dallas Cowboys is Jerry Jones runs everything. He’s a man who is not only the owner but general manager, talent evaluator, team psychologist and part-time coach. Oh and he’s a marketing genius as the Cowboys are the most valued team in the NFL at $5 billion according to Forbes.
The truth about Jones is while he is the owner and general manager, his day-to-day duties have been diluted over the years. And despite one bout with his son, Stephen Jones, about drafting Johnny Manziel, Jerry Jones has stepped away some from the draft – allowing his personnel department to take over – and it’s paid off immensely.
Will McClay, the Cowboys vice president in charge of player personnel, has rebuilt the Cowboys in the first and second rounds since taking over the draft board in 2014. Under McClay’s direction, the Cowboys had six Pro Bowlers selected in guard Zack Martin, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and cornerback Byron Jones.
If you go back to 2000-15, the Cowboys have six All-Pros players drafted from the first round, tied for most in the NFL, and 16 first-team All-Pro selections, tops in the league.
“One thing that’s interesting (is) at some point you do just agree to disagree, and we try to avoid those players if we can’t get a consensus,” Stephen Jones said. “You try to find a player that fits at that level where there is a consensus. We’ve done a great job of that, and Will I credit a lot. He’s just a tremendous consensus builder. He spends a ton of time obviously with his staff. He also spends a ton of time with our coaching staff, with each position coach. And then, of course, he’s very intensively involved with Jerry and myself in terms of how he communicates. I think he’s as good as they get.”
When Jerry Jones had more input in the day-to-day operations the Cowboys went free-agent heavy in fixing their holes, even trading a first-round pick for Roy Williams in 2009. That draft class failed to produce any full-time starters on the Cowboys and taught the team a lesson: The draft creates starters and builds depth. The Cowboys needed to rebuild their offensive line after going the free-agent route too many times and when draft picks such as Andre Gurode and Flozell Adams got old. Jones didn’t need much convincing but he made sure the Cowboys drafted Tyron Smith with the ninth overall pick in 2011. It was the first time the Cowboys drafted an offensive lineman in the first round since selecting Howard Richards in 1981. When the Cowboys were winning three Super Bowls in a four-year period under Jones, they built the line through the middle rounds and free agency. Now, something different was happening. If the Cowboys were going to return to Super Bowl glory, one of the strengths was going to come from the offensive line through the draft.
And fixing a dormant offensive line rested on Tom Ciskowski’s shoulder. He put the board together from 2008 to 2013, but one critique was a lack of conviction in the draft picks and the inability in giving them a second contract. Jones was easily influenced by coaches such as Bill Parcells and to a certain degree Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett. But under McClay, the Cowboys have a firmer direction of where they want to go. McClay leans toward big-school players and finding players who fit schemes. When McClay drafted Martin and Lawrence it not only was about upgrading the specific position, but those two players were perfect scheme fits.
It’s not a surprise the Cowboys are tied for third in the NFL with 10 first-round picks signed to second contracts with three of those players coming from the offensive line in Smith (2011), Travis Frederick (2013) and Martin (2014).
Earlier this month, the Cowboys rewarded Lawrence with the highest financial guarantees in franchise history at $65 million. Lawrence’s financial guarantee is expected to get surpassed by Prescott, a 2016 fourth-round pick, whom Jones says is the future of the franchise.
A lot of these decisions come from McClay and his staff.
“I would add the point that he is so prepared,” Jerry Jones said of McClay. “He digs, digs, digs. He’s done his homework.”
But the draft has not been without its headaches. Randy Gregory, a 2015 second-rounder, has been suspended every year he’s been in the league for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Gregory is currently under suspension for substance abuse. And the Cowboys drafted tackle Chaz Green in the third round in 2015 but he was released in 2018. [HR][/HR]
Here’s a complete look at the data, with NFL ranks in parentheses (T indicates a tie). For players who have made All-Pro with multiple teams, we are only counting the All-Pro selections with the team that drafted them.
First-round picks: 14 total (T-24)
First-team All-Pro selections: 6 players (T-1), 16 total selections (T-1).
First-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 10 (T-3).
First-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 1 (T-29).
Games started with Cowboys: 76.6 per player (6). [HR][/HR]
Second-round picks: 16 total (T-11)
First-team All-Pro selections: 0 players (T-16); 0 total selections (T-17).
Second-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 9 (2).
Second-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 4 (T-19).
Games started with Cowboys: 29.1per player (30). [HR][/HR]
Third-round picks: 13 total (T-29)
First-team All-Pro selections: 2 players (2); 5 total selections (2).
Third-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 8 (1).
Third-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 6 (T-25).
Games started with Cowboys: 40.9 (2). [HR][/HR]
Fourth-round picks: 21 total (T-6)
First-team All-Pro selections: 0 players (T-11); 0 total selections (T-11).
Fourth-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 3 (T-21).
Fourth-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 12 (T-6).
Games started with Cowboys: 20.3 per player (13). [HR][/HR]
Fifth-round picks: 14 total (T-27)
First-team All-Pro selections: 0 players (T-8); 0 total selections (T-8).
Fourth-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 1 (T-24).
Fourth-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 10 (T-24).
Games started with Cowboys: 8.6 per player (23). [HR][/HR]
Sixth-round picks: 20 total (T-13)
First-team All-Pro selections: 0 players (T-8); 0 total selections (T-8).
Sixth-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 1 (T-22).
Sixth-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 14 (T-17).
Games started with Cowboys: 8.7 per player (T-11). [HR][/HR]
Seventh-round picks: 27 total (T-8)
First-team All-Pro selections: 1 player (T-1); 1 total selection (T-1).
Seventh-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 2 (T-13).
Seventh-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 19 (T-13).
Games started with Cowboys: 6.7 per player (11). [HR][/HR][h=3]Composite rankings (Rounds 1-7)[/h]
Total draft picks: 125 total (18)
First-team All-Pro selections: 9 players (T-3); 22 total selections (1).
Players who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 25 (T-19).
Players who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 66 (T-23).
Games started with Cowboys: 23.8 per player (10). [HR][/HR]
Day 1 picks: (First-rounders): 14 total (T-24)
First-Team All-Pro selections: 6 players (T-1); 16 total selections (T-1)
Players who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 10 (T-3)
Players who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 1 (T-29)
Games started with Cowboys: 76.6 per player (6) [HR][/HR]
Day 2 picks (second- and third-rounders): 29 total (T-27)
First-Team All-Pro selections: 2 players (T-7); 5 total selections (T-4)
Day 2 picks who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 8 (T-18)
Day 2 picks who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 11 (T-21)
Games started with Cowboys: 34.4 per player (9)
The NFL Draft changed to its current three-day format in 2010. But for this data pool, we are labeling all second- and third-round players as “Day 2 picks” to further examine where each team has had successes and failures in specific areas of the draft. The same criteria was used with the label of “Day 3 picks.” [HR][/HR]
Day 3 picks (fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-rounders): 82 total (T-9)
First-Team All-Pro selections: 1 player (T-7); 1 total selections (T-12)
Day 3 picks who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 7 (T-28)
Day 3 picks who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 55 (16)
Games started with Cowboys: 11 per player (T-14)
By Calvin Watkins Apr 25, 2019
Editor’s note: As part of our NFL Draft blitz week, The Athletic NFL took a team-by-team and league-wide glimpse at the draft from 2000 to 2015 to gauge the success or shortcomings of every team. We cut it off at ’15 so that all players have reached the end of their rookie contracts or had fifth-year options exercised.
The perception of the Dallas Cowboys is Jerry Jones runs everything. He’s a man who is not only the owner but general manager, talent evaluator, team psychologist and part-time coach. Oh and he’s a marketing genius as the Cowboys are the most valued team in the NFL at $5 billion according to Forbes.
The truth about Jones is while he is the owner and general manager, his day-to-day duties have been diluted over the years. And despite one bout with his son, Stephen Jones, about drafting Johnny Manziel, Jerry Jones has stepped away some from the draft – allowing his personnel department to take over – and it’s paid off immensely.
Will McClay, the Cowboys vice president in charge of player personnel, has rebuilt the Cowboys in the first and second rounds since taking over the draft board in 2014. Under McClay’s direction, the Cowboys had six Pro Bowlers selected in guard Zack Martin, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and cornerback Byron Jones.
If you go back to 2000-15, the Cowboys have six All-Pros players drafted from the first round, tied for most in the NFL, and 16 first-team All-Pro selections, tops in the league.
“One thing that’s interesting (is) at some point you do just agree to disagree, and we try to avoid those players if we can’t get a consensus,” Stephen Jones said. “You try to find a player that fits at that level where there is a consensus. We’ve done a great job of that, and Will I credit a lot. He’s just a tremendous consensus builder. He spends a ton of time obviously with his staff. He also spends a ton of time with our coaching staff, with each position coach. And then, of course, he’s very intensively involved with Jerry and myself in terms of how he communicates. I think he’s as good as they get.”
When Jerry Jones had more input in the day-to-day operations the Cowboys went free-agent heavy in fixing their holes, even trading a first-round pick for Roy Williams in 2009. That draft class failed to produce any full-time starters on the Cowboys and taught the team a lesson: The draft creates starters and builds depth. The Cowboys needed to rebuild their offensive line after going the free-agent route too many times and when draft picks such as Andre Gurode and Flozell Adams got old. Jones didn’t need much convincing but he made sure the Cowboys drafted Tyron Smith with the ninth overall pick in 2011. It was the first time the Cowboys drafted an offensive lineman in the first round since selecting Howard Richards in 1981. When the Cowboys were winning three Super Bowls in a four-year period under Jones, they built the line through the middle rounds and free agency. Now, something different was happening. If the Cowboys were going to return to Super Bowl glory, one of the strengths was going to come from the offensive line through the draft.
And fixing a dormant offensive line rested on Tom Ciskowski’s shoulder. He put the board together from 2008 to 2013, but one critique was a lack of conviction in the draft picks and the inability in giving them a second contract. Jones was easily influenced by coaches such as Bill Parcells and to a certain degree Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett. But under McClay, the Cowboys have a firmer direction of where they want to go. McClay leans toward big-school players and finding players who fit schemes. When McClay drafted Martin and Lawrence it not only was about upgrading the specific position, but those two players were perfect scheme fits.
It’s not a surprise the Cowboys are tied for third in the NFL with 10 first-round picks signed to second contracts with three of those players coming from the offensive line in Smith (2011), Travis Frederick (2013) and Martin (2014).
Earlier this month, the Cowboys rewarded Lawrence with the highest financial guarantees in franchise history at $65 million. Lawrence’s financial guarantee is expected to get surpassed by Prescott, a 2016 fourth-round pick, whom Jones says is the future of the franchise.
A lot of these decisions come from McClay and his staff.
“I would add the point that he is so prepared,” Jerry Jones said of McClay. “He digs, digs, digs. He’s done his homework.”
But the draft has not been without its headaches. Randy Gregory, a 2015 second-rounder, has been suspended every year he’s been in the league for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Gregory is currently under suspension for substance abuse. And the Cowboys drafted tackle Chaz Green in the third round in 2015 but he was released in 2018. [HR][/HR]
Here’s a complete look at the data, with NFL ranks in parentheses (T indicates a tie). For players who have made All-Pro with multiple teams, we are only counting the All-Pro selections with the team that drafted them.
First-round picks: 14 total (T-24)
First-team All-Pro selections: 6 players (T-1), 16 total selections (T-1).
First-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 10 (T-3).
First-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 1 (T-29).
Games started with Cowboys: 76.6 per player (6). [HR][/HR]
Second-round picks: 16 total (T-11)
First-team All-Pro selections: 0 players (T-16); 0 total selections (T-17).
Second-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 9 (2).
Second-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 4 (T-19).
Games started with Cowboys: 29.1per player (30). [HR][/HR]
Third-round picks: 13 total (T-29)
First-team All-Pro selections: 2 players (2); 5 total selections (2).
Third-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 8 (1).
Third-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 6 (T-25).
Games started with Cowboys: 40.9 (2). [HR][/HR]
Fourth-round picks: 21 total (T-6)
First-team All-Pro selections: 0 players (T-11); 0 total selections (T-11).
Fourth-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 3 (T-21).
Fourth-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 12 (T-6).
Games started with Cowboys: 20.3 per player (13). [HR][/HR]
Fifth-round picks: 14 total (T-27)
First-team All-Pro selections: 0 players (T-8); 0 total selections (T-8).
Fourth-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 1 (T-24).
Fourth-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 10 (T-24).
Games started with Cowboys: 8.6 per player (23). [HR][/HR]
Sixth-round picks: 20 total (T-13)
First-team All-Pro selections: 0 players (T-8); 0 total selections (T-8).
Sixth-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 1 (T-22).
Sixth-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 14 (T-17).
Games started with Cowboys: 8.7 per player (T-11). [HR][/HR]
Seventh-round picks: 27 total (T-8)
First-team All-Pro selections: 1 player (T-1); 1 total selection (T-1).
Seventh-rounders who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 2 (T-13).
Seventh-rounders who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 19 (T-13).
Games started with Cowboys: 6.7 per player (11). [HR][/HR][h=3]Composite rankings (Rounds 1-7)[/h]
Total draft picks: 125 total (18)
First-team All-Pro selections: 9 players (T-3); 22 total selections (1).
Players who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 25 (T-19).
Players who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 66 (T-23).
Games started with Cowboys: 23.8 per player (10). [HR][/HR]
Day 1 picks: (First-rounders): 14 total (T-24)
First-Team All-Pro selections: 6 players (T-1); 16 total selections (T-1)
Players who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 10 (T-3)
Players who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 1 (T-29)
Games started with Cowboys: 76.6 per player (6) [HR][/HR]
Day 2 picks (second- and third-rounders): 29 total (T-27)
First-Team All-Pro selections: 2 players (T-7); 5 total selections (T-4)
Day 2 picks who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 8 (T-18)
Day 2 picks who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 11 (T-21)
Games started with Cowboys: 34.4 per player (9)
The NFL Draft changed to its current three-day format in 2010. But for this data pool, we are labeling all second- and third-round players as “Day 2 picks” to further examine where each team has had successes and failures in specific areas of the draft. The same criteria was used with the label of “Day 3 picks.” [HR][/HR]
Day 3 picks (fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-rounders): 82 total (T-9)
First-Team All-Pro selections: 1 player (T-7); 1 total selections (T-12)
Day 3 picks who signed a second contract with the Cowboys: 7 (T-28)
Day 3 picks who were released/traded prior to the end of their rookie contract: 55 (16)
Games started with Cowboys: 11 per player (T-14)
