If there’s one thing the Cowboys have been consistently good at the last decade – it’s drafting.
Dallas has found All Pro first rounders in multiple years, as well as maximizing day three picks like Dak Prescott as well. 2019, however, was a very different year for the Cowboys in terms of their draft results.
NFL.com recently graded the 2019 draft classes from the NFC East after year one, with the Cowboys earning a “C-,” worst in the division.
“The Cowboys’ greatest contribution from this class came from Pollard, who served as an effective spell back to Ezekiel Elliott, rushing 86 times for 455 yards and two scores. The rest of the group wasn’t able to do all that much.”
Dallas traded their 2019 first round pick for wide receiver Amari Cooper midway through the 2018 season, and though it did save their season at the time, not having the first round pick greatly hurt their class.
Defensive tackle Trysten Hill played in just 7 games, earning way too many healthy scratches for the team’s first draft selection. Offensive lineman Connor McGovern was expected to be a “plug and play” type interior lineman, but was put on the IR almost immediately.
Dallas found next to nothing in the day three rounds either, though undrafted free agent lineman Brandon Knight did get to start a game at the end of the season. And he was pretty good!
The shining star in the Cowboys class, and arguably it’s only saving grace, is running back Tony Pollard. Pollard looked like a bonafide star at times, breaking 100 yards in two separate games despite his limited opportunities. He can be more than just a change of pace back for Ezekiel Elliott, so it’ll be interesting to see how Mike McCarthy deploys the two in 2020.
If Dallas is going to win big in 2020, they’ll need much more year one impact from their draft class this season.
