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Clarence E. Hill Jr.
The Dallas Cowboys got only three starters out of 24 picks in the past three NFL Drafts combined.
There is little potential for any more starters from that group.
The downfall of this period was in 2009 when the Cowboys were hamstrung by the Roy Williams trade, sending their first- and second-round picks to Detroit. The Cowboys had 12 picks in the draft; six were cut by their second season. Only six remain on the roster, and at least half of them might be cut this year.
The best pick since 2008 has been wide receiver Dez Bryant, who was selected 24th overall in 2010. Bryant brought baggage from college and still deals with immaturity issues. However, he was a top-10 talent, and the Cowboys got him at a bargain at No. 24. Bryant has massive potential as a receiver and is a game-breaking kick returner. In hindsight, the pick was a no-brainer.
The worst pick since 2008 was linebacker Jason Williams, who was selected in the third round, 69th overall, in 2009. That Williams didn't pan out came as no surprise to anyone outside of Cowboys headquarters. He was a questionable pick from the beginning, considering his small-school pedigree and lack of football experience. He was a great athlete who could not put it together on the field. He was slow learning the NFL game and didn't make an impact on special teams despite his great speed and athleticism.
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Three the hard way
A categorical breakdown of the Cowboys' drafts since 2008:
Total picks: 24
2010 starters: 3
2010 backups: 13
On other teams: 4
Out of NFL: 3
Injured reserve/PUP: 1
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2010 draft review
First round, 24th overall, WR Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State) -- He began the season battling injuries in minicamp and training camp, and he ended it on injured reserve with a fractured ankle. When he was on the field, he showed the makings of a star. He loves to play the game and compete, which is infectious.
Second round, 55th, LB Sean Lee (Penn State) -- He also was slowed in camp and early in the season because an injury -- a lingering knee issue from college. He flashed potential to raise excitement about his future, highlighted by a two-interception game against the Indianapolis Colts. He's expected to be a starter in 2011, replacing an aging Keith Brooking.
Fourth round, 126th, FS Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (Indiana, Pa.) -- The Cowboys still don't know if Owusu-Ansah can play in this league. He played at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He missed camp and early-season games because of a college shoulder injury, then played a few games on special teams before being put on injured reserve with a sprained ankle.
Sixth round, 179th, OT Sam Young (Notre Dame) -- Young didn't see any time as a rookie, but the Cowboys like his smarts for the game and the potential he showed in training camp. If he continues to develop, he could play his way into competition for a starting job at right tackle in 2011.
Sixth round, 196th, CB Jamar Wall (Texas Tech) -- Wall looked overmatched from the beginning because of his lack of speed. He was released in camp. The Philadelphia Eagles picked him up and moved him to safety, but he was later cut.
Seventh round, 234th, DE Sean Lissemore (William & Mary) -- Injuries proved to be a theme for the 2010 rookie class, and Lissemore was not immune. He ended the season on injured reserve with an ankle sprain. Before he left, he showed he could play end and nose tackle. The Cowboys like his high motor.
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2011 draft needs
Offensive line: Owner Jerry Jones and coach Jason Garrett said the team must get better up front, but they can't make wholesale changes because of salaries and the lockout limbo. Guard Kyle Kosier is likely gone as a free agent. Aging and oft-injured right tackle Marc Colombo might be cut. The Cowboys might be leaning toward taking a tackle in the first round for first time in 30 years, another reason Colombo might be gone.
Safety: The Cowboys need two starting safeties. Alan Ball's move from cornerback to safety didn't work last season. Strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh is being allowed to test free agency. He could be back at the right price, but not likely. The Cowboys will target a safety in free agency (possibly Michael Huff), whenever that is, but also look for them to address the position in the draft.
Defensive end: Igor Olshansky and Sean Lissemore are the only defensive ends under contract. Lissemore isn't considered starter material. It's one reason the team is looking at end in the first round. A starter and bodies are needed at the position. Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen could return as restricted free agents, but their best roles might be as reserves.
Cornerback: The Cowboys went from having two Pro Bowl corners in Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins in 2009 to having the worst secondary in club history in 2010. Newman and Jenkins had down years. The Cowboys will have patience with Jenkins because of his youth and potential. Newman's age, injury history and $9 million cap figure for next year presents a conundrum. Do they replace him now or wait a year? Either way they might try to find his replacement in the draft.
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Recent nines
The Cowboys have the ninth overall pick in the draft. Players picked No. 9 over the past five years:
2010: RB C. J. Spiller (Buffalo) -- He didn't have a big impact as a rookie primarily because the Bills didn't know how to use him properly or consistently.
2009: DT B. J. Raji (Green Bay) -- A key member of a Super Bowl title-winning defense and the anchor on the line.
2008: LB Keith Rivers (Cincinnati) -- He has battled injuries and a lack of production. Bengals fans call him a bust.
2007: WR Ted Ginn Jr. (Miami) -- He was a bust with the Dolphins before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he is just a kick returner.
2006: LB Ernie Sims (Detroit) -- He was a bust in Detroit before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. He's proven to be an average player.
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Cowboys' 2011 picks
Round - Overall
First - 9th
Second - 40th
Third - 71st
Fourth - 110th
Fifth - 143rd
Sixth - 176th
Seventh - 220th
Seventh - 252nd
The Dallas Cowboys got only three starters out of 24 picks in the past three NFL Drafts combined.
There is little potential for any more starters from that group.
The downfall of this period was in 2009 when the Cowboys were hamstrung by the Roy Williams trade, sending their first- and second-round picks to Detroit. The Cowboys had 12 picks in the draft; six were cut by their second season. Only six remain on the roster, and at least half of them might be cut this year.
The best pick since 2008 has been wide receiver Dez Bryant, who was selected 24th overall in 2010. Bryant brought baggage from college and still deals with immaturity issues. However, he was a top-10 talent, and the Cowboys got him at a bargain at No. 24. Bryant has massive potential as a receiver and is a game-breaking kick returner. In hindsight, the pick was a no-brainer.
The worst pick since 2008 was linebacker Jason Williams, who was selected in the third round, 69th overall, in 2009. That Williams didn't pan out came as no surprise to anyone outside of Cowboys headquarters. He was a questionable pick from the beginning, considering his small-school pedigree and lack of football experience. He was a great athlete who could not put it together on the field. He was slow learning the NFL game and didn't make an impact on special teams despite his great speed and athleticism.
-
Three the hard way
A categorical breakdown of the Cowboys' drafts since 2008:
Total picks: 24
2010 starters: 3
2010 backups: 13
On other teams: 4
Out of NFL: 3
Injured reserve/PUP: 1
-
2010 draft review
First round, 24th overall, WR Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State) -- He began the season battling injuries in minicamp and training camp, and he ended it on injured reserve with a fractured ankle. When he was on the field, he showed the makings of a star. He loves to play the game and compete, which is infectious.
Second round, 55th, LB Sean Lee (Penn State) -- He also was slowed in camp and early in the season because an injury -- a lingering knee issue from college. He flashed potential to raise excitement about his future, highlighted by a two-interception game against the Indianapolis Colts. He's expected to be a starter in 2011, replacing an aging Keith Brooking.
Fourth round, 126th, FS Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (Indiana, Pa.) -- The Cowboys still don't know if Owusu-Ansah can play in this league. He played at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He missed camp and early-season games because of a college shoulder injury, then played a few games on special teams before being put on injured reserve with a sprained ankle.
Sixth round, 179th, OT Sam Young (Notre Dame) -- Young didn't see any time as a rookie, but the Cowboys like his smarts for the game and the potential he showed in training camp. If he continues to develop, he could play his way into competition for a starting job at right tackle in 2011.
Sixth round, 196th, CB Jamar Wall (Texas Tech) -- Wall looked overmatched from the beginning because of his lack of speed. He was released in camp. The Philadelphia Eagles picked him up and moved him to safety, but he was later cut.
Seventh round, 234th, DE Sean Lissemore (William & Mary) -- Injuries proved to be a theme for the 2010 rookie class, and Lissemore was not immune. He ended the season on injured reserve with an ankle sprain. Before he left, he showed he could play end and nose tackle. The Cowboys like his high motor.
-
2011 draft needs
Offensive line: Owner Jerry Jones and coach Jason Garrett said the team must get better up front, but they can't make wholesale changes because of salaries and the lockout limbo. Guard Kyle Kosier is likely gone as a free agent. Aging and oft-injured right tackle Marc Colombo might be cut. The Cowboys might be leaning toward taking a tackle in the first round for first time in 30 years, another reason Colombo might be gone.
Safety: The Cowboys need two starting safeties. Alan Ball's move from cornerback to safety didn't work last season. Strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh is being allowed to test free agency. He could be back at the right price, but not likely. The Cowboys will target a safety in free agency (possibly Michael Huff), whenever that is, but also look for them to address the position in the draft.
Defensive end: Igor Olshansky and Sean Lissemore are the only defensive ends under contract. Lissemore isn't considered starter material. It's one reason the team is looking at end in the first round. A starter and bodies are needed at the position. Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen could return as restricted free agents, but their best roles might be as reserves.
Cornerback: The Cowboys went from having two Pro Bowl corners in Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins in 2009 to having the worst secondary in club history in 2010. Newman and Jenkins had down years. The Cowboys will have patience with Jenkins because of his youth and potential. Newman's age, injury history and $9 million cap figure for next year presents a conundrum. Do they replace him now or wait a year? Either way they might try to find his replacement in the draft.
-
Recent nines
The Cowboys have the ninth overall pick in the draft. Players picked No. 9 over the past five years:
2010: RB C. J. Spiller (Buffalo) -- He didn't have a big impact as a rookie primarily because the Bills didn't know how to use him properly or consistently.
2009: DT B. J. Raji (Green Bay) -- A key member of a Super Bowl title-winning defense and the anchor on the line.
2008: LB Keith Rivers (Cincinnati) -- He has battled injuries and a lack of production. Bengals fans call him a bust.
2007: WR Ted Ginn Jr. (Miami) -- He was a bust with the Dolphins before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he is just a kick returner.
2006: LB Ernie Sims (Detroit) -- He was a bust in Detroit before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. He's proven to be an average player.
-
Cowboys' 2011 picks
Round - Overall
First - 9th
Second - 40th
Third - 71st
Fourth - 110th
Fifth - 143rd
Sixth - 176th
Seventh - 220th
Seventh - 252nd