It all the time amazes me how only a easy publish on Twitter can create such a back-and-forth dialogue amongst followers, particularly concerning the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL draft.
DeMarvion Overshown posted on Monday, “Class of 2018 received some dawgs within the NFL!” To which I responded with the next:
The response from followers began a sequence of discourse, with some followers being puzzled by the thought and others admiring that getting 5 starters from one class is a constructive.
Is that this a joke tweet? u cant be severe Brandon Loree
— FaZe Tæzer faze (@aZebruhh) June 24, 2025
It’s the very best apart from 2016 actually. 5 starters. 2022 is up there additionally.
— CowboysNWeights (@Powerlifting_06) June 24, 2025
6 strong NFL starter caliber gamers plus 2 tremendous again up gamers. 2 guys who had shortened careers due to accidents.
I might take that each draft.
— Cory J. Hinchey (@hinchey_j) June 24, 2025
Overshown later clarified he was speaking about highschool soccer, however the level nonetheless rings true. If the success of a draft class comes right down to the definition of being on the roster long-term, then this one could be a bust, contemplating nobody from that 12 months is left heading into 2025.
Nonetheless, a chicken’s-eye view of the Cowboys’ 2018 draft class would supply a unique perspective that appears extra glowing. The primary 5 picks, Leighton Vander Esch, Connor Williams, Michael Gallup, Dorance Armstrong, and Dalton Schultz, developed into starters or high-end rotational gamers.
Vander Esch and Gallup had probably the most promise of the group after 12 months one, however each had their careers shortened in Dallas as a result of damage. Gallup nonetheless had a 1,000-yard season in his second 12 months, and Vander Esch completed his profession sixteenth in group historical past amongst all defensive gamers with 469 mixed tackles. For taking part in a full season simply twice out of six years, ending with that manufacturing meant he made probably the most of his snaps on the sphere.
Williams, Armstrong, and Schultz are extra the product of not maximizing their potential till the tip of their rookie contracts. Over his first 4 years, Armstrong confirmed sufficient flashes for the group to supply him a two-year contract extension. He adopted that up with 16 sacks over two years as a rotational rusher and ace special-teams participant. Armstrong then adopted Dan Quinn over to Washington final 12 months in a profitable deal for a man who was as soon as thought-about a “bust.”
Schultz began his profession attempting to observe in Jason Witten’s footsteps, who retired in his rookie season. Nonetheless, he needed to sit behind him in 2019 when Witten returned to Dallas after a one-year hiatus. After lastly getting an opportunity in 2020 when Blake Jarwin went down with a season-ending damage in Week 1, Schultz had a profession 12 months in 2021 that ended with 808 yards and eight touchdowns and was retained on a franchise tag.
Williams was a strong guard with Dallas, however his finest place got here with the Seattle Seahawks, the place they unlocked one thing in him to grow to be one of many NFL’s finest facilities over a 12 months and a half. His profession was additionally derailed and in the end ended as a result of damage, however you marvel what if the Dallas teaching workers tried him out at heart to begin his profession, if it could have performed out any in another way.
Mike White has began NFL video games and was as soon as the darling of the New York Jets fanbase, and Cedrick Wilson confirmed he may very well be a succesful third broad receiver and utility participant who can often make a few trick performs. His finest season got here beneath then-offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who’s now his head coach with the New Orleans Saints.
Proper now, the Cowboys are having hassle discovering the sort of manufacturing of their 2022 and 2023 draft courses. Of 17 gamers drafted from these two courses, Tyler Smith, DeMarvion Overshown, Jake Ferguson, and DaRon Bland are the one ones you’ll be able to really feel assured in. Everybody else is working out of time to point out they’ll develop or overcome accidents and narratives (Sam Williams, Jalen Tolbert, Damone Clark) which have damage their careers.
If the Cowboys had 5 strong starters from every class like they did with the 2018 rookies, there could be way more confidence in Dallas’s path as they head into Brian Schottenheimer’s first 12 months as head coach. The lingering questions on current draft picks ought to remind us to not take draft courses just like the one in 2018 with no consideration, as a result of historical past reveals they don’t come round usually.
