Following the 2011 NFL draft, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper gave the Cowboys a B- grade for what the franchise did with their eight picks.
With the regular season complete, Kiper recently re-graded each team, judging each by how their picks performed during their rookie season.
For the Cowboys, Kiper changed his grade to a C+ despite a solid season from right tackle Tyron Smith and running back DeMarco Murray.
“I said then that I liked the conviction Dallas had to get younger on the offensive line, stay at No. 9 and take Tyron Smith, even though that was no home run in terms of value,” Kiper wrote. “Still, that pick turned into a win for the Cowboys. Smith, who started all season as a 20-year-old, played on the right side, but all indications are he could develop into a blindside tackle if they find it necessary to move him there. The grade rises if he can.
“Right now, a right tackle isn't your goal with a lineman taken at No. 9 overall. Bruce Carter's NFL script is still unwritten, but DeMarco Murray obviously was a great value in the third before he went down for the year. Murray's injury, incidentally, is why it's hard to ever say a great running back out of the third round is a "steal" -- RBs land in the third because you expect them to get hurt. It's just reality. There isn't much else here so far. Dwayne Harris flashed in the preseason but wasn't a factor. Aside from Smith, the best rookie was kicker Dan Bailey, but alas, he wasn't drafted and can't be factored in here.”
Here are the Cowboys' picks and how they performed:
First round, 9th overall: Tyron Smith. Started all 16 games at right tackle.
Second round, 40th overall: Bruce Carter. Played in 10 games, mostly on special teams.
Third round, 71st overall: DeMarco Murray. Ran for 897 yards before having season ended due to injury.
Fourth round, 110th overall: David Arkin. Was never active but is considered to have a future at guard.
Fifth round, 143rd overall: Josh Thomas . Cut by the Cowboys and signed by the Carolina Panthers.
Sixth round, 176th overall: Dwayne Harris. Averaged 28.9 yards per kickoff return, played in 7 games.
Seventh round, 220th overall: Shaun Chapas. Played in three games, catching one pass for nine yards.
Seventh round, 252nd overall: Bill Nagy. Started season opener but had year ended by broken ankle.
With the regular season complete, Kiper recently re-graded each team, judging each by how their picks performed during their rookie season.
For the Cowboys, Kiper changed his grade to a C+ despite a solid season from right tackle Tyron Smith and running back DeMarco Murray.
“I said then that I liked the conviction Dallas had to get younger on the offensive line, stay at No. 9 and take Tyron Smith, even though that was no home run in terms of value,” Kiper wrote. “Still, that pick turned into a win for the Cowboys. Smith, who started all season as a 20-year-old, played on the right side, but all indications are he could develop into a blindside tackle if they find it necessary to move him there. The grade rises if he can.
“Right now, a right tackle isn't your goal with a lineman taken at No. 9 overall. Bruce Carter's NFL script is still unwritten, but DeMarco Murray obviously was a great value in the third before he went down for the year. Murray's injury, incidentally, is why it's hard to ever say a great running back out of the third round is a "steal" -- RBs land in the third because you expect them to get hurt. It's just reality. There isn't much else here so far. Dwayne Harris flashed in the preseason but wasn't a factor. Aside from Smith, the best rookie was kicker Dan Bailey, but alas, he wasn't drafted and can't be factored in here.”
Here are the Cowboys' picks and how they performed:
First round, 9th overall: Tyron Smith. Started all 16 games at right tackle.
Second round, 40th overall: Bruce Carter. Played in 10 games, mostly on special teams.
Third round, 71st overall: DeMarco Murray. Ran for 897 yards before having season ended due to injury.
Fourth round, 110th overall: David Arkin. Was never active but is considered to have a future at guard.
Fifth round, 143rd overall: Josh Thomas . Cut by the Cowboys and signed by the Carolina Panthers.
Sixth round, 176th overall: Dwayne Harris. Averaged 28.9 yards per kickoff return, played in 7 games.
Seventh round, 220th overall: Shaun Chapas. Played in three games, catching one pass for nine yards.
Seventh round, 252nd overall: Bill Nagy. Started season opener but had year ended by broken ankle.
