As a Dallas Cowboys fan for almost four decades, I watched as America's Team found gold in the unlikeliest of places. The Cowboys found a number of hidden talents in later rounds of the NFL Draft that went on to lead them to five Super Bowl wins in eight appearances on the grandest stage of them all.
Roger Staubach, 10th Round (129) in 1964
Roger Staubach was a risky draft choice. The Heisman Trophy winner lasted until the 10th round of the 1964 NFL Draft because his military career kept him out until 1969. By the time he arrived, Staubach made it worth the wait, leading Dallas to four Super Bowls and entering the NFL Hall of Fame in 1985.
Bullet Bob Hayes, 7th Round (88) in 1964
The same year that Dallas drafted Roger Staubach, another Cowboys legend fell to the 7th round. Bob Hayes was an Olympic sprinter with little football experience. Bullet Bob paid Dallas back for their faith, leading the Cowboys in yards and touchdowns in his rookie year. Hayes played for 11 seasons, entering the NFL Hall of Fame in 2009.
Jason Witten, 3rd Round (69) in 2003
The Dallas Cowboys rely on the tight end position but, after Jay Novacek retired, they struggled to find a replacement until the 2003 NFL Draft. By the third round, four tight ends already came off the board. While two of those four players never made a dent, Jason Witten has now been to seven Pro Bowls as the Cowboys starting tight end.
Leon Lett, 7th Round (173) in 1991
While many fans remember Leon Lett for the mistakes he made in big games, Dallas fans remember him as a key player on the Cowboys defensive line. The 14th player taken by Dallas in the 1991 draft, he helped Dallas win three Super Bowls in the '90s.
Emmitt Smith, 1st Round (17) in 1990
It may seem strange to see a 1st round draft choice listed as a steal but Emmitt Smith dropped to the 17th pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, the second running back chosen after the Jets took Blair Thomas. Smith proved to be the best overall player taken in 1990, becoming the NFL all-time leading rusher in 2002.
Sources
Data Base Football: Dallas Cowboys Draft Picks
Dallas Cowboys Official Website: Roger Staubach
Nick Eatman, "'Bullet' Bob Hayes Finally Elected To Hall of Fame," Dallas Cowboys Official Website
Dallas Cowboys Official Website: Jason Witten player bio
Dallas Cowboys Official Website: Cowboys Top 50
Dallas Cowboys Official Website: Emmitt Smith
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