It’s well-known that the Dallas Cowboys don’t mind gambling on players in the second-round of the NFL Draft. Over the last decade they’ve targeted players who have fallen in the draft for some reason, whether it be a poor injury history or off the field related problems. Unfortunately, that gambling hasn’t really paid off, but 2018 could be the year it finally does.
If you were to look back over the Dallas Cowboys second-round draft picks for the last decade or so you would notice hardly any of those players are still on the roster. That’s not good at all. In fact, it’s pretty pathetic!
Second-round draft picks are supposed to be players that become the cornerstones of your team. The Cowboys have one maybe two players in the last decade who can possibly be considered cornerstone players… Sean Lee and DeMarcus Lawrence.
When healthy, Sean Lee is without a doubt one of the best linebackers in the league. If not for his inability to remain healthy for an entire season, he would without a doubt be a cornerstone player. He probably still deserves that distinction, especially considering he’s the only second-round draft pick to see a contract extension over the last decade.
The jury is still out on DeMarcus Lawrence. His first three seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys are pretty much forgettable, but last season was pure dominance. If he can replicate that kind of performance in 2018, he could become another Cowboys second-round success story and receive a contract extension.
Unfortunately, that’s about as much success the Dallas Cowboys have had with their second-round draft picks. They have done a much better job the past two seasons by drafting Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and Guard Connor Williams, who should both be cornerstone players, but what about the other second-round draft picks still on the roster?
The Cowboys second-round gambles that I think could actually pay off this year in 2018 is Linebacker Jaylon Smith and Defensive End Randy Gregory. Both players were arguably top 10 selections in their respective drafts based on their talent, but both saw their draft stock plummet for different reasons, landing right in the lap of the Dallas Cowboys.
Randy Gregory of course saw his draft stock plummet because of failed drug tests in not only college, but at the NFL Scouting Combine as well. That trend continued as a member of the Cowboys, but luckily for him he still is a chance to turn his career around now that he’s earned his reinstatement into the league.
For Jaylon Smith, his draft stock took a hit because of an unfortunate injury in his last collegiate game that almost ended his professional career before it even got started. It was a 50-50 chance he would never play again, but the Cowboys decided the risk was worth reward and it could end up paying off big time.
I say all of this because I think this is the year we will finally see the Dallas Cowboys second-round gambling pay off. It started a little bit last year with DeMarcus Lawrence’s domination and Jaylon Smith’s return to the field, but now we can hopefully throw in Randy Gregory as well. All three could play really important roles in 2018 and become the cornerstone players they should be as second-round draft picks.
Mr. Martin, I am most interested to see if Jaylon Smith is indeed fully healthy. The lack of a brace is a great sign but I’m still a little worried about him talking on blockers.
Anything we get out of Gregory is plus, Williams is plug and play to me, and to be honest even though I think Lawrence will produce I would still tag him again. Good article!
Reynaldo, I’m right there with you about Jaylon Smith. If he can be anything like the player he was at Notre Dame this season, he could be a huge difference maker on defense.
I also have high hopes for Randy Gregory. Even if he is just used as a situational pass rusher, I think we can expect 4-5 QB sacks.
Thanks for reading
As much as I would LOVE to see it…..I don’t see it happening. This organization loves hype more than the actual thing itself……. Now with no TE, no WR this team will move backwards……..What they need is a real HC for starters.
Totally agree that this is the year that the Dallas Cowboys will be able to cash in on those risky buys. This defense is about to look nasty. A full training camp for Gregory and another year removed from injury for Jaylon and these guys are going to be flying around.
Randy Gregory is just another draft bust Dallas has kept, Crawford does not deserve the money either he is making, no other team would pay him that much without getting any penetration or sacks. Jaylon Smith was picked 34th in the draft and has been a Draft bust so far, You have a 1 year wonder in LVE, he was hurt already and is a big gamble. Sean Lee come from Penn State, hard hitter but always injured so they knew exactly what they where getting. Is their no players who have not had trouble past, crippled that Dallas could ever draft. Blue collar players who come in with no baggage who are teachable without much risk
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1 yr wonder in LVE?? How so? Obviously u went from making sense to not ANY! Crawford doesnt deserve what he makes for sure and he hasn’t from the day he signed, but Gregory has been a bust so far and it’s always easy in today’s NFL to drop someone at the first sign of trouble and cut ties never to be bothered again! I appreciate Big D sticking with Randy and allowing him to prove his worth and who knows he may very well come out busting his a$$ and getting sacks! We will find out soon enough on how solid our Defense is gonna be and by year end IMO BIG D WILL have a top 5 D….