NFL Draft history shows quality playmakers in Cowboys range

by
Juwan Lee
April 4, 2019

If you’re like Stephen Jones, you’ll be binge watching Amari Cooper highlights come draft night on April 25th. As the next crop of first-round NFL prospects wait patiently for that once-in-a-lifetime phone call, it’s a definite none of them will be hearing Jerry Jones’ Texas accent pronounce them a Dallas Cowboy.

For the first time since 2009, and only the second time since 2004, Cowboys fans will not experience the excitement of watching their team’s selection shake hands with the commissioner of the NFL. Maybe with the massive rift Roger Goodell has caused with the NFL fan base that’s one of the last things fans care to see.

But with the success the front office has enjoyed with their recent draft picks, fans may feel as if they will be missing out on the next Vander Esch, Byron Jones or Zack Martin. However, the Cowboys actually find themselves in a sweet spot to select one of the premium talents of this year’s draft class. It’s what the history of the draft would say.

So it only makes sense we take a look of some of the past selections to predict what type of player the Cowboys may be picking on day 2 of the draft.

2018 (career stats)

#58 – ATL – CB Isaiah Oliver (23 tackles, 1 INT): “When asked point blank if second-year cornerback Isaiah Oliver is expected to be one of the Falcons’ starters in 2019, Dan Quinn didn’t hesitate: ‘Yes,'” the Falcons head coach said, according to Atlanta Falcons reporter Kelsey Conway.

#59 – WAS – RB Derrius Guice (season-ending injury)

#60 – PIT – WR James Washington (16 receptions, 217 yards, TD)

#61 – JAX – WR D.J. Chark (14 rec, 174 yards)

2017

#60 – DAL – CB Chidobe Awuzie (96 tackles, 2 INTs)

Incredible interception from Chidobe Awuzie pic.twitter.com/oK6VEtehwx

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) August 19, 2018

#61 – GB – FS Josh Jones (126 tackles, 1 INT)

#62 – PIT – WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (169 REC, 2,343 yards, 14 TDs)

2018 Pro Bowl Selection
Pro Football Writers Assoication All-Rookie Team

2016

#58 – PIT – SS Sean Davis (242 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 5 INTs)

#61 – NO – FS Vonn Bell (259 tackles, 6.5 sacks)

#62 – CAR – CB James Bradberry (214 tackles, 35 PDEF, 5 INTs)

(3) #64 – TEN – FS Kevin Byard (235 tackles, 3 sacks, 28 PDEF, 12 INTS)

2017 Pro Bowl
2017 First-team All-Pro
2017 NFL Interceptions co-leader

Kevin Byard did something in 2017 that only Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu have done since 2006. 15 or more pass breakups and interceptions in a single season. pic.twitter.com/x8Nz6pBUX5

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 22, 2018

2015

#58 – ARZI – DE Markus Golden (123 tackles, 19 sacks, 6 FF)

#60 – DAL – DE Randy Gregory (45 tackles, 7 sacks, 2 FF)

#62 – GB – CB Quinten Rollins (91 tackles, 16 PDEF, 3 INTs)

#63 – SEA – DE Frank Clark (136 tackles, 35 sacks, 8 FF)

2014

#60 – NYJ – DE Kony Ealy (92 tackles, 15 sacks, 6 FF)

#61 – JAX- WR Allen Robinson (257 REC, 3,602 yards, 26 TDs)

#62 – NE – QB Jimmy Garropolo (236-361, 65%, 17 TDs, 8 INTs, 2,968 yards)

#63 – MIA – WR Jarvis Landry (481 REC, 5,014 yards, 26 TDs)

4x Pro Bowl (2015-2018)
2017 NFL receptions leader
PFWA All-Rookie Team

2013

#57 – HOU – SS D.J. Swearinger (361 tackles, 39 PDEF, 14 INTs)

#60 – ATL – CB Robert Alford (303 tackles, 85 PDEF, 10 INTs)

(3) #69 – ARI – FS Tyrann Mathieu (397 tackles, 7 sacks, 49 PDEF, 13 INTs)

2012

#58 – TB- LB Lavonte David (885 tackles, 21.5 sacks, 39 PDEF, 10 INTs)

Pro Bowl (2015)
First-team All-Pro (2013)
Second-team All-Pro (2016)
PFWA All-Rookie Team

#59 – PHI – DE Vinny Curry (151 tackles, 24.5 sacks, 5 FF)

#62 – GB – CB Casey Hayward (312 tackles, 85 PDEF, 20 INTs)

2x Pro Bowl (2016, 2017)
2z Second-team All-Pro (2016,2017)
PFWA All-Rookie Team
2016 NFL Interceptions leader

Nobody did it better in 2017!

The top coverage grade among cornerbacks in the 2017 regular season belongs to Los Angeles Chargers CB Casey Hayward pic.twitter.com/LJ6SeaiuNv

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) January 14, 2018