The Dallas Cowboys’ NFL Draft tendencies over the past ten years (2014–2024) reveal a consistent approach influenced by owner and general manager Jerry Jones, vice president of player personnel Will McClay, and the coaching staff.
Looking back over the last ten years, a trend has started to develop, and this could be the year the team takes a different approach based on the players available at the 12th pick.
Below is a detailed analysis of their draft tendencies based on available data and insights. It focuses on positional priorities, round preferences, conference affiliations, and strategic approaches.
Positional Priorities in the Draft
Over the years, the Cowboys’ front office and coaching staff have preferred drafting players for premium positions, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, and at linebacker.
The Cowboys’ secondary focus has been skill positions like wide receiver and running back.
The draft choices have emphasized building a strong foundation in the trenches while occasionally targeting high-impact playmakers.
Offensive Lineman Drafted
The Cowboys have prioritized the offensive line heavily, especially in the early rounds (Rounds 1-3).
Over the last ten years, the Cowboys have selected offensive linemen six times in the draft’s first three rounds. The notable picks include:
- 2015: Chaz Green (Round 3)
- 2018: Connor Williams (Round 2)
- 2019: Connor McGovern (Round 3)
- 2022: Tyler Smith (Round 1)
- 2023: Cooper Beebe (Round 3)
- 2023: Tyler Guyton (Round 1)
The focus on the trenches reflects their philosophy of maintaining continuity and strength on the offensive line.
The front office’s focus on offensive linemen also shows a tendency to select players with line versatility. Several players drafted can play multiple positions across the line.
The front office does have a track record of drafting Pro-Bowl caliber players like Tyron Smith (2011), Travis Frederick (2013), and Zack Martin (2014), just outside the 10-year window, but this is indicative of the trend.
Defensive Line and Edge Rushers Drafted
The Cowboys have always liked to have a rotation on the defensive line and edge. They have frequently drafted these players in the early rounds, which include:
- 2015: Randy Gregory (Round 2)
- 2016: Maliek Collins (Round 3)
- 2017: Taco Charlton (Round 1)
- 2021: Micah Parsons (Round 1)
- 2022: Sam Williams (Round 2)
- 2023: Mazi Smith (Round 1)
The front office has had some missteps in drafting defensive linemen and edge rushers. Still, it has shown a willingness to take elite pass rushers like Micah Parsons, even if it deviates from immediate needs.
They’ve also taken calculated risks on players with injury concerns or off-field issues in later rounds to bolster depth, like Randy Gregory.
Linebackers Drafted
The Cowboys value linebackers in the first three rounds as they are seen as critical to the defensive schemes.
The problem with the Dallas Cowboys’ value chart for linebackers is that they take chances on injury-prone players who fall in the draft but have first-round grades.
Hybrid players like Micah Parsons and Randy Gregory can also fall under the linebacker group. Linebackers drafted by the Cowboys since 2015 include:
- 2015: Randy Gregory (Round 2)
- 2016: Jaylon Smith (Round 2)
- 2018: Leighton Vander Esch (Round 1)
- 2021: Micah Parsons (Round 1)
- 2023: DeMarvion Overshown (Round 3)
- 2024: Marist Liufau (Round 3)
The Cowboys’ front office believes linebackers are still a premium position, bucking NFL trends that devalue off-ball linebackers.
Wide Receivers Drafted
Over the years, the Cowboys have been selective with wide receivers. They prefer complete players with versatility over pure speedsters.
Over the last ten years, the front office has sparingly invested top-100 picks in wide receivers. Only three picks from 2014 to 2024 were spent on wide receivers.
- 2018: Michael Gallup (Round 3)
- 2020: CeeDee Lamb (Round 1)
- 2022: Jalen Tolbert (Round 3)
Only one first-round pick was spent on a wide receiver, and that receiver was a multifaceted player in CeeDee Lamb, which reflects their tendency to select versatility over speed.
Running Backs Drafted
The Cowboys have historically devalued running backs more than most NFL teams’ recent trend of devaluing the position.
They have rarely used early picks on running backs in the last decade, with the notable exception of:
- 2016: Ezekiel Elliott (Round Pick 4)
They have relied on free agency or later rounds for running backs. Tony Pollard was a fourth-round pick, Deuce Vaughn was a sixth-round pick, and Rico Dowdle was an undrafted free agent.
The front office has done little to improve the running back room, and the trend may continue in the 2025 draft.
Other Positions Drafted
Cornerback, tight end, and quarterback have all been low priorities for the front office.
These positions have been drafted in the second round or later in most drafts.
Three cornerbacks have been drafted in the top 100:
- 2017: Jourdan Lewis (Round 3)
- 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (Round 2)
- 2020: Trevon Diggs (Round 2)
- 2021 Kelvin Joseph (Round 2)
The only player left on the roster from these picks is Trevon Diggs. So, round two or three is the sweet spot for corners, but keeping them past their rookie contract is another story.
The only notable quarterback drafted was Dak Prescott in 2014. The other quarterbacks have been late-round picks, undrafted free agents, or trades.
The only tight end taken in the last ten years with a top-100 pick was Luke Schoonmaker in round 2 of the 2022 draft.
Round Preferences
First Round
The Cowboys have a strong track record in the first round under Will McClay’s draft leadership since 2014.
Hits include Zack Martin (2014), Ezekiel Elliott (2016), Leighton Vander Esch (2018), CeeDee Lamb (2020), Micah Parsons (2021), and Tyler Smith (2022).
Six out of ten hits is not bad for the front office and Will McClay.
Second and Third Rounds
The Cowboys typically use their second and third-round picks to address secondary needs or select high-upside players who carry some risks, such as Jaylon Smith in 2016 and Randy Gregory in 2015.
Their second-round selections have had mixed results: successful picks like DeMarcus Lawrence (2014) and Trevon Diggs (2020) contrast with misses like Trysten Hill (2019).
In the third round, they have found contributors such as Jourdan Lewis (2017), Michael Gallup (2018), and Osa Odighizuwa (2021).
Later Rounds (4-7)
The Cowboys are skilled at discovering value in the draft’s later rounds. They often take calculated risks on players with injury histories or lower draft grades who have the potential to develop into valuable contributors. Some notable examples include:
- 2016: Dak Prescott (Round 4)
- 2017: Dorance Armstrong Jr. (Round 4)
- 2018: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Round 6)
Their scouting department is well-regarded for identifying late-round talent, particularly from Power Five conferences.
Conference and Program Preferences
The Dallas Cowboys strongly prefer selecting players from Power Five conferences, particularly focusing on the Big Ten and Big 12.
Recent early-round draft picks such as Micah Parsons (Penn State, Big Ten), CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma, Big 12), and Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma, Big 12) illustrate this trend.
The team prioritizes players from successful programs with established football traditions, placing a high value on leadership qualities and compatibility with their scheme.
They seldom draft players high in the draft from smaller schools or Group of Five conferences, emphasizing their focus on athletes who have competed at the highest levels of college football.
Strategic Tendencies
The Cowboys have leaned more towards a best player available strategy in the draft.
Selections such as CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons show that they will draft the best player available, even if the position is not needed.
They tend to avoid drafting for immediate needs, focusing on long-term vision and players who fit their scheme.
Trade Tendencies
The Cowboys are relatively conservative with draft-day trades in the first round, preferring to stay put unless a can’t-miss opportunity arises, like trading down in 2021 to select Micah Parsons at No. 12.
They’ve traded their first-round pick on occasion, like in 2019 for Amari Cooper, and have used later-round picks in trades to acquire veterans such as Jonathan Mingo in 2024 and Joe Milton III in 2025.
The Cowboys will make trades outside the first round to get players they have a high grade on, much like they did for DeMarcus Lawrence in 2014 and Tyler Biadasz in 2021.
Athleticism and Versatility
The Cowboys prioritize players with high athletic profiles, especially on the defensive line and at wide receiver.
They value versatility, seeking players who can contribute in multiple roles, such as Micah Parsons as an edge rusher/linebacker, and Tyler Smith as a tackle/guard.
They tend to dismiss candidates lacking football IQ or scheme fit, focusing on players who can adapt to their system.
Risk Tolerance
They’re willing to take calculated risks on players with injury concerns or off-field issues in Rounds 2–7, hoping to find high-value talent at a discount, like Jaylon Smith and Randy Gregory.
2025 Draft Indications
With the No. 12 overall pick and a total of 10 selections, the Cowboys are in a strong position to address their offensive playmaker needs, specifically at wide receiver and running back, earlier than they usually would.
They might consider targeting a wide receiver, such as Tetairoa McMillan or Luther Burden III, or a running back like Omarion Hampton or Ashton Jeanty in the first or second round.
This approach would represent a shift from their typical focus on offensive linemen, driven by the need for a clear WR2 to support CeeDee Lamb and the current lack of depth in the running back room.
Additionally, the Cowboys could consider a tight end, such as Tyler Warren, to enhance their offensive versatility, especially since Jake Ferguson is in a contract year.
If elite talent becomes available on the defensive side, the team may draft edge rushers like Jalon Walker or Shemar Stewart, or cornerbacks like Trey Amos.
However, their recent free agency signings, including Dante Fowler and Kaiir Elam, have lessened the urgency to focus on defense.
Summary of Key Draft Tendencies
Primary Focus: Offensive and defensive lines, with a recent emphasis on versatile, high-IQ players.
Secondary Focus: Linebackers and selective skill positions (WR, RB).
Round Strategy: Plug-and-play starters in Round 1, high-upside risks in Rounds 2–3, value hunting in Rounds 4–7.
Conference Preference: Power Five (Big Ten, SEC, Big 12).
Philosophy: BPA with a long-term vision, prioritizing athleticism, versatility, and scheme fit.
Trade Approach: Conservative in Round 1, active in later rounds or for veterans.
The Cowboys’ draft strategy is rooted in a trench-first mentality. This mentality has built one of the NFL’s strongest offensive lines but has occasionally left their skill positions thin.
Their reluctance to invest early in wide receivers and running backs over the past decade has put pressure on free agency and late-round picks to fill gaps (e.g., trading for Amari Cooper in 2018).
The 2025 draft could signal a pivot toward offensive playmakers, driven by roster needs and a weaker offensive line class.
However, their conservative trading approach and preference for Power Five talent may limit flexibility in a draft with diverse talent pools.