Here is part 2 of the draft history series we’ve been doing at Under The Arches. In Part 1 I reviewed and graded drafts from 2003-2005. Over the weekend I was reading something from ESPN’s Todd McShay that said a good draft can be graded on getting 3 starters from it. Reading that I somewhat agree and feel comfortable with how I evaluated the drafts in Part 1. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the remaining drafts for this decade.
2006 Draft
After a stellar draft that included starters DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Chris Canty, Kevin Burnett, Marion Barber, and Jay Ratliff, the Cowboys struggled and didn’t make the playoffs. Parcells had a need at safety and some other pressing areas but made some very interesting choices in this draft.
1st Round – Bobby Carpenter – Linebacker – Ohio State
This was a pick I lampooned at the moment it happened. I thought there was good depth at the linebacker position and it smacked a little bit of Parcells taking one of his buddies kids. Carpenter has turned into a joke around these parts, so much so that when he does make a big play, we talk about him being franchise tagged. Dallas passed on such players as Antonio Cromartie, Santonio Holmes, and DeAngelo Williams.
2nd round – Anthony Fasano – Tight End – Notre Dame
It was known that Parcells valued the Tight End because they could play multiple positions and help out in the way of roster numbers. I still thought taking Fasano was neither a situation of drafting the best player available or drafting for need. It just simply didn’t make sense to me. Fasano was then traded the day before the 2008 draft to Miami where he has actually turned into a nice player. At the time the Cowboys could have gone in a number of directions, and I just didn’t think this was a very good pick.
3rd round – Jason Hatcher – Defensive End – Grambling State
Hatcher was actually a good value pick here and though it’s scary to say maybe the best pick of this draft class. Hatcher has been pretty good in the limited time he’s played and is simply stuck behind some good depth on the defensive line. Still, if you have to rely on a 3rd round small school player who is a reserve as your best pick that shows signs you are not making a lot of good decisions in the war room.
4th round – Skyler Green – Wide Receiver – LSU
I liked Skyler Green a lot at LSU. He was an exciting, speedy player, who found many ways to score in the Bayou Bengals offense. As I watched him I wondered how it would translate to the pro’s. Green was brought in to give Tyson Thompson a run at returns, but Green was very inconsistent and offered nothing in the way of pass catching. If you can get an impact guy as a returner that’s fine, but when that guy can’t give you more than an undrafted running back in the return game, and can’t crack the rotation at Wide Receiver he is failed.
5th Round – Pat Watkins – Safety – Florida State
Watkins was thought to be a sleeper in this draft and early on did look like a very interesting player. He’s probably the other guy in the running for best pick in this draft, but he has only helped out on special teams so far and has looked extremely lost in coverage. The Cowboys went out and got Gerald Sensebaugh to replace him. It’s hard to say a 5th round pick has been a disappointment, but Watkins could be replaced at any time and fans wouldn’t notice a difference.
6th Round – Montavious Stanley – Defensive Tackle – Louisville
Stanley was to be a backup to Jason Ferguson at the nose position, and played a few games, but was oft injured and nothing special. He was released and has floated around to St. Louis, Atlanta, and New Orleans.
7th Round – Pat McQuistian – Offensive Tackle – Weber State
Pat’s twin brother Paul was thought to be a real sleeper candidate at offensive tackle and was taken by the Raiders early on. Pat however slipped to the 7th and I’d say he was actually a pretty good value. The late rounds are where you can take value picks and flyers on other guys and McQuistian was a good gamble. He’s hung around and provided some depth on the line so far.
7th Round – EJ Whitley – Center – Texas Tech
Whitley suffered a torn ACL and was released by the Cowboys. He tried to make it in the CFL but couldn’t make the Saskatchewan club.
GRADE: This draft may not be better than the 2004 draft. Only three players remain on the team, 2 reserve defense and special teams players, and a reserve offensive lineman. (F)
2007 DRAFT
This was the start of the Romo/Phillips era. Romo had taken over at mid season and electrified the metroplex until he let the ball slip through his hands in Seattle. Phillips was now in charge as Parcells was leaving another team. How would Wade Phillips fare in his first try at the helm of the Cowboys draft board?
1st Round – Anthony Spencer – Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – Purdue
If I had done this study last year I would say this pick was an abject failure. Spencer was brought in to replace an aging Greg Ellis and got his chance this past year. Early on I was extremely critical of Spencer and didn’t feel like he was producing first round results. Wow, did he ever prove me wrong. Spencer and Ware teamed to be, maybe the best pair of book ends on any defense in the league. Wade has a good eye for defense so from now on I’ll remember to give him the benefit of the doubt on that side of the ball.
3rd Round – James Marten – Offensive Tackle – Boston College
At the time, it looked like a move to find a backup and maybe future tackle for Flozell, but Marten was injured and released from the Cowboys. He has since had stops with Tampa, Oakland, and is currently in Chicago.
4th Round – Isaiah Stanback – Wide Receiver – Washington
Stanback was quite the player at Quarterback when he played for the Huskies. The Cowboys took a flyer on him and attempted to convert him into a Wideout and return specialist. Stanback never provided much on returns and couldn’t make a clean conversion to receiver. I think now in this, the age of the wildcat he may have a place. However Stanback was released prior to this past year and surfaced on the practice squad and some game action with the New England Patriots.
4th Round – Doug Free – Offensive Tackle – Northern Illinois
I didn’t think much of the pick at the time, but thank goodness for Doug Free. Free stepped in this year when Mark Colombo went down and did a fine job filling in. A lot of talk says the Cowboys would be fine if Free had to start 16 games. He may not play up to the quality of Colombo and Adams, but I could feel comfortable with him starting.
6th Round – Nick Folk – Kicker – Arizona
Opposite of what I wrote about Anthony Spencer, if you asked me to write this last year I would have said this pick was such a success. Nick Folk was taken right before Mason Crosby and really made me shake my head. Mason Crosby was the un-questioned top kicker in this draft, but for a while it seemed the Cowboys knew more than I did. Folk provided so many money kicks including the dagger into Buffalo’s heart. It’s hard to grade this pick because he was so good early, but dreadful this year. Folk has been released and the Cowboys are once again looking for a kicker.
7th Round – Courtney Brown – Defensive Back – Cal-Poly
Brown was nothing more than a depth/special teams player who played on and off in his short time in Dallas. He was released and is now with the Giants.
7th Round – Alan Ball – Defensive Back – Illinois
Ball was another late round pick who has filled in with some good depth. He’s stepped up and played a little safety and corner when needed, and has shown up in nickel and dime packages. Where the 7th round is usually a throw away pick, the Cowboys hit on Ball a bit. I wont call it a great pick but certainly a good one.
GRADE: While it wasn’t the Cowboys best draft it was nowhere near the worst. With solid contributions from Ball and Free, and a star studded performance by Anthony Spencer, I’ll overlook Stanback and James Marten and give this a solid (B)
2008 Draft
The regular season in year one of Wade was a complete success. 13-3 with the most pro bowl players, but a division round loss to the rival Giants extending the playoff drought left people with a bad taste in their mouth. The exit of Julius Jones left a void at scat back. Wade needed a better draft and he wheeled and dealed.
1st Round – Felix Jones – Running Back – Arkansas
Jones is kind of hard to grade. When he’s on the field he’s a star, but the problem is he spends time off the field. Still, I’ll give Felix some credit and give him the benefit of the doubt since he’s been pretty damn spectacular when healthy. Going forward, if he can stay healthy, Jones should provide the Cowboys with a true playmaker at running back.
1st Round – Mike Jenkins – Cornerback – South Florida
I loved everything about this kid coming out of South Florida. He was big, physical, fast, had great ball skills, and played with a ton of swag. I took a hit during his rookie season when he struggled but felt justified when he came back strong this season. Midway through the year Jenkins became the best corner on the team and really became a shut down guy who made big plays. I expect the same going forward with Jenkins and expect to be justified in my high standing for him.
2nd Round – Martellus Bennett – Tight End – Texas A&M
Bennett was a star from high school all the way up through A&M, so I liked the possibilities with him when they drafted him. The Cowboys have moved to more of a two tight end look and Bennett has been a relentless blocker but an inconsistent pass catcher. There’s a lot you can do with him. He can play H-back, put him out in the slot and he has potential to be a red zone nightmare. I think he needs to focus a little bit more, but I have high hopes he’ll be fine.
4th Round – Tashard Choice – Running Back – Georgia Tech
Twice in this article the Cowboys picked a running back in the 4th round and twice it was a success. Choice stepped in his rookie year when injuries plagued the RB corps and performed well. He’s added to the 3 headed monster in the Cowboys backfield and is the guy the Cowboys run their razorback formation through. It is my opinion Choice should be the starter, but the Cowboys aren’t real apt to listen to me.
5th Round – Orlando Scandrick – Cornerback – Boise State
Scandrick was circled as a true steal because a lot of people had a 2nd round grade on him. A lot of people were high on Scandrick after his rookie year and even said he was better than Jenkins. I saw some things I didn’t like in Scandrick’s game, but for the most part he’s been great as the third corner. He still gets beat a little, but this was a very good pick.
6th Round - Erik Walden – Defensive End – Middle Tennessee State
Walden didn’t make the team out of camp and has since had stops in Kansas City and Miami.
GRADE: Aside from the Walden pick, what’s not to like about this class. Getting 5 big time contributors in one class makes this an (A+)
2009 DRAFT
Phillips had a sophomore slump and a December slide in the last year of Texas Stadium ended the year with the Cowboys out of the playoffs. A mid season trade for Roy Williams left the Cowboys with no early draft picks, and a need for some defensive depth. The new stadium would be opening and this website would be created.
3rd Round – Jason Williams – Linebacker – Western Illinois
The Cowboys selected Williams with their first draft pick and the rookie had some injury issues and only played in 2 games this season.
3rd Round – Robert Brewster – Offensive Tackle – Ball State
Brewster was injured all season and did not play. Going into this season he looks for a chance to solidify a spot as a backup and maybe a future at Tackle for the Cowboys.
4th Round – Stephen McGee – Quarterback – Texas A&M
When The Cowboys took McGee I kind of just shook my head. In my opinion I don’t ever see Stephen McGee becoming a starting quarterback in this league and may just be a career backup. In doing so they passed on Brian Hartline and Louis Murphy who I thought would be good developmental guys at WR.
4th Round – Victor Butler – Linebacker – Oregon State
I actually liked what the Cowboys got from Butler this year. I can’t see him taking a spot from Ware or Spencer, but he proved to be a capable pass rusher in reserve duty. He finished the year with three sacks including a big one against the Eagles early in the season.
4th Round – Brandon Williams – Defensive End/Linebacker – Texas Tech
As the Cowboys looked to add more depth they took Brandon Williams who was a good player at Texas Tech but not a draft worthy guy in my opinion. Williams suffered injuries and didn’t play for the Cowboys this past season.
5th Round – DeAngelo Smith – Defensive Back – Cincinnati
Smith didn’t work out in training camp and was signed by Detroit where he played in 7 games.
5th Round – Michael Hamlin – Defensive Back – Clemson
Hamlin was drafted to be a safety and was a good prospect. He only played in three games, so it’s hard to say what his future holds.
5th Round – David Buehler – Kicker – USC
I think everyone had to do a double take when Buehler was taken. With Nick Folk coming off of another good year what was the need for taking a kicker? Well we soon found out Buehler was a guy who could flat out boom a kick deep. His help with field position was pivotal this year, and he can even provide coverage on special teams.
6th Round – Stephen Hodge – DB – TCU
Hodge is an interesting prospect, but was placed on Injured Reserve and didn’t play last season.
6th Round – John Phillips – Tight End – Virginia
Phillips showed to be a pretty good reserve player last season and took some snaps away from Martellus Bennett. Phillips blocked well, and played in 6 games. Going forward he should contribute more to the 2 tight end sets.
7th Round – Mike Mickens – Defensive Back – Cincinnati
The Cowboys liked Cincinnati’s defensive backfield so much they took 2 Cincinnati defensive backs. Mickens didn’t make the team and has been with Tampa and is now with the Bengals.
7th Round – Manuel Johnson – Wide Receiver – Oklahoma
Johnson was taken as a flyer for a Wide Receiver prospect but didn’t make the team out of training camp and is currently on the practice squad.
GRADE: It’s too early to say. On paper it doesn’t look like a great draft, but there are some interesting prospects who could turn the tide on it. For now this grades out as an (INCOMPLETE)
Cowboys Draft History Part 2