Will McClay, the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Dallas Cowboys, has proven time and again that his eye for talent is second to none.
Over the past decade, McClay has been the architect behind the franchise’s most impactful draft selections, particularly in the first round.
Since taking on a prominent role in Dallas’ front office, McClay has consistently made savvy picks that have not only bolstered the Cowboys’ roster, but also resulted in several future All-Pro players.
His track record of success can be traced directly to a string of exceptional first round picks, beginning with recently retired RG Zack Martin in 2014.
Out of the first eight players McClay selected in the opening round, seven would go on to become Pro Bowl or All-Pro caliber players; an unprecedented level of success that speaks to McClay’s remarkable scouting ability and strategic foresight.
The 1st Hat Trick
McClay’s very first draft in 2014 would start a streak of three seasons where his 1st round picks all became All-Pros or Pro Bowlers.
Taking a Leap
The Dallas Cowboys selected CB Byron Jones in the 1st round of the 2015 NFL Draft at 27th overall.
Jones was known for his impressive athleticism, highlighted by a world record setting broad jump at the NFL Combine. He started as a safety but transitioned to cornerback, where he had a strong impact on the Cowboys’ defense in 2018.
He earned the only Pro Bowl honors of his career that year despite not recording an interception.
Jones didn’t develop into the player the Cowboys hoped he would be when they drafted him, but he was a solid player who went on to play for the Miami Dolphins for two more seasons after leaving Dallas.
Starting On the Right Foot
The Dallas Cowboys’ drafting of RG Zack Martin at 16th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft set the tone for what would become one of the most impressive runs of draft success in the league.
A standout tackle from Notre Dame, Martin was considered one of the safest picks in the draft, but what set McClay apart was his ability to recognize Martin’s immediate impact on the Cowboys’ offensive line at guard.
Martin immediately stepped in as the starter at right guard and not only started all 16 games, but quickly showed how dominant he would be as a member of The Great Wall of Dallas II.
He helped pave the way for RB DeMarco Murray’s record-setting 2014 season, and has since accrued nine All-Pro selections, eight of them 1st team.
His reliability and dominance in the trenches helped elevate the Cowboys’ running game and protect QB Dak Prescott until the last snap.
A Pair of Stars
McClay’s keen eye for talent resumed in 2016 with the selection of RB Ezekiel Elliott at fourth overall. Elliott’s impact was immediate.
As a rookie, he won the NFL rushing title with 1,631 yards, teaming up with fellow rookie QB Dak Prescott to lead the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and the #1 seed in the conference.
He was selected to three Pro Bowls in his career along with two All-Pro selections, one of them being 1st team.
Two years later in 2018, the Cowboys went to the defensive side of the ball with the selection of LB Leighton Vander Esch at 19th overall from Boise State University.
He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, earning Pro Bowl honors after an impressive campaign in which he recorded 140 tackles.
Vander Esch’s ability to read offenses and make crucial stops helped strengthen the Cowboys’ defense, and while injuries ended his career, he was a key component when healthy.
The 2nd Hat Trick
After trading away their 2019 1st round pick to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for WR Amari Cooper, the 2020 NFL Draft began perhaps the greatest three-year stretch of first round selections in franchise history.
The Lamb
In 2020, McClay made a bold move by selecting WR CeeDee Lamb with the 17th overall pick.
It was bold because the Cowboys already fielded wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Dallas invested first and third round picks on those players, respectively.
Lamb was projected to go in the top-10, so taking him there and solidifying the wide receiver room for the future was too good of a deal to pass up.
He has since developed into one of the league’s most dynamic and reliable receiving threats, accumulating 496 receptions for 6,339 yards and 38 touchdowns in five years.
The former Oklahoma Sooner has four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro selections, earning 1st team All-Pro in 2023 after setting the Cowboys’ franchise record for receptions in a single season.
Lamb’s development into a star exemplifies McClay’s ability to assess and select top-level talent at critical positions.
The Lion
The following season, the Cowboys drafted LB Micah Parsons from Penn State University with the 12th overall pick.
Parsons quickly proved to be one of the most impactful players in the entire NFL. As a rookie, he finished with 13.0 sacks and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
His ability to play both off-ball linebacker and rush off the edge makes him one of the most versatile and dangerous players in the league today.
Parsons’ accolades thus far are plentiful, with many more to come.
In his four years in the NFL, Parsons has already earned two 1st team All-Pro selections, one 2nd team, and four Pro Bowls.
The Bull
To complete the hat-trick of All-Pro players, McClay selected OL Tyler Smith from Tulsa University with the 24th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The pick was somewhat of a surprise to many, as Smith was viewed as a raw prospect with high upside but needed further development. Further proof that McClay is a cut above.
Since joining the Cowboys, Smith has impressed. Although he was expected to resume his starting role at left guard after his rookie year, an injury to LT Tyron Smith pushed Tyler back outside.
His strong physicality, versatility, and ability to adapt quickly earned him a spot on the offensive line for years to come.
Overall, Tyler Smith has played well, especially considering his early challenges and positional changes, and the Cowboys are optimistic about his future development.