It’s been 5 years for the reason that 2019 NFL Draft. It’s a superb level to look again and see simply how a lot the usage of these picks benefited a group. How a lot did these gamers contribute? Who’s nonetheless right here, if anyone? We’re trying again at the moment to judge the general influence of the Dallas Cowboys’ 2019 class.
It takes time to know simply how worthwhile a draft class is for any NFL group. Some let you already know fairly shortly, like we’re having fun with proper now with Tyler Smith, DaRon Bland, and Jake Ferguson from the 2022 class. Others could take longer to cook dinner; we nonetheless don’t know what to make of anybody from final yr’s group. That’s why 5 years, with rookie contracts and fifth-year choices all expired, makes for a superb touchpoint.
Let’s look again, pick-by-pick, to see how the Cowboys used their picks in makes an attempt to enhance their roster and compete.
1st Spherical: Traded in 2018 for WR Amari Cooper
The Cowboys’ 2019 class is an fascinating one as a result of the first-round choose was used about six months earlier within the commerce for veteran WR Amari Cooper. Finally, drafts are about utilizing property to accumulate expertise. Whereas Cooper isn’t a part of that rookie group, you continue to must weigh the influence of that commerce when grading the draft general.
Dallas gambled within the 2018 offseason by dumping star WR Dez Bryant with out including any vital new expertise on the place. Whereas Bryant was in decline at this level, Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams had been hardly WR1 materials. Neither had been veteran retreads Allen Hurns and Tavon Austin who the group picked up that spring.
The Cowboys paid for his or her negligence with a sputtering offense and a 3-4 begin to the season. Over their bye week, Dallas despatched their 2019 first-rounder to the Raiders for Cooper. They really dropped to 3-5 in his first sport however then went 7-1 to complete the yr, make the playoffs, and advance to the divisional spherical with a postseason victory over the Seahawks. Cooper’s influence was speedy, totaling 53 catches, 725 yards, and 6 touchdowns in simply 9 video games and giving Dak Prescott a real number-one receiver to open up the passing sport.
Cooper made the Professional Bowl in 2018 and 2019 earlier than the arrival of CeeDee Lamb. Whereas he remained extremely productive for 2 seasons, Cooper’s contract finally grew to become an issue as Lamb moved into the number-one function. There have been additionally vital rumors of Cooper’s persona being a problem, significantly with the entrance workplace, with questions on his effort and dedication. Dallas traded him away to Cleveland in 2022 in a cap-clearing transfer, however one which additionally felt private for the way little they obtained in return.
Ultimately, Dallas used what would develop into the twenty seventh choose within the 2019 NFL Draft to offer themselves a desperately wanted expertise infusion six months earlier. Cooper saved the 2018 season, and maybe Jason Garrett’s job for yet another yr, and helped the Cowboys bridge the hole from Bryant to Lamb as franchise receivers. Some downgrade the transfer as a result of Cooper instantly wanted a brand new contract and solely caught round for 3.5 years. However in comparison with drafting one other Taco Charlton, there are far worse methods Dallas may’ve used that choose.
Nonetheless, there’s a “rooster and the egg” aspect to this too. The 2019 choose was twenty seventh general as a result of Dallas added Cooper and sparked that 7-1 end to the earlier season. With out him, their choose may need been a lot earlier. A number of the gamers taken earlier within the 2019 Draft had been TE T.J. Hockenson, DL Ed Oliver, DT Christian Wilkins, G, Chris Lindstrom, DE Brian Burns, and DT Dexter Lawrence. So was a number of years of Cooper’s work, albeit excessive degree, price lacking out on having certainly one of these guys on an inexpensive rookie deal and maybe nonetheless serving to the group at the moment? All of it relies on how a lot you worth giving your self the perfect likelihood to win within the right here and now, which Dallas definitely achieved within the commerce.
2nd Spherical: DT Trysten Hill (58th general)
You virtually must really feel unhealthy for this child. Due to the Cooper commerce, followers needed to wait till almost the top of the second spherical for the Cowboys to lastly make a choose. It put undue consideration and expectation on Hill as a prospect, robbing him of the grace most late second-round picks would get of their improvement.
That mentioned, Hill didn’t assist the scenario with a reportedly poor angle as a rookie. His work ethic earned him a spot in then-defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s doghouse. Then unhealthy luck struck in 2020 as Hill, who was seeming to show issues round in his second yr, suffered a season-ending harm in Week 5. It held him again the next yr whereas newer DT prospects like Osa Odighizuwa and Neville Gallimore supplanted him on the depth chart.
Hill would finally get launched from the underside of the roster halfway by his fourth season. He’s hung out in Arizona, Cleveland, and New England since then, totally on their observe squads, and stays with the Patriots this offseason looking for a task. Perhaps there’s nonetheless hope for Hill’s profession, however his reminiscence in Dallas is much from constructive. Hill is yet one more case of the Cowboys’ poor outcomes with second-round picks.
third Spherical: OL Connor McGovern (ninetieth general)
A pectoral harm killed McGovern’s rookie season however he returned as a flexible backup for the following two years. Enjoying each guard spots at instances, he even lined up at fullback and tight finish sometimes. After a preseason harm to Tyron Smith in 2022, McGovern would up as a 15-game starter for Dallas within the closing yr of his rookie deal.
Versatility was McGovern’s finest trait. Sadly, his proficiency in any of these roles wasn’t sufficient to advantage a second contract. He signed with the Payments in free company final yr and began each sport for them, with speak this yr that he’ll be shifting to heart. Whether or not right here or in Buffalo, McGovern’s confirmed to be a strong participant able to beginning for successful groups, which is greater than acceptable for a late third-round choice.
You hate to see any Day 2 choose not get a second contract, however generally that’s circumstantial. Zack Martin’s longevity, Tyler Biadasz coming off a Professional Bowl, Tyler Smith’s speedy influence; all of those contributed to McGovern not getting a brand new deal in 2023. Dallas may need thought-about him if a beginning job was obtainable, however they weren’t going to pay him what Buffalo did to stay round as a backup.
4th Spherical: RB Tony Pollard (128th general)
With Ezekiel Elliott a well-established celebrity at this level, Pollard was introduced in for backup obligation. He overachieved, incomes extra touches even earlier than Zeke began to say no. After a number of years because the change-of-pace again with some receiving versatility, Pollard finally compelled his means right into a shared carries strategy, almost matching Elliott in touches in 2022 and being extra productive when he obtained the ball.
A yr in the past, Dallas made Zeke a cap casualty and gave Pollard the franchise tag to return as their starter. Going from Robin to Batman didn’t work out as hoped, although Pollard was additionally nonetheless working his means again from a late-season leg harm. After profession lows in his effectivity on runs and receptions, Pollard was not re-signed this yr because the Cowboys went with cheaper choices.
For the place he was drafted, at the same time as a working again, Pollard gave wonderful return on funding. He made it simpler for Dallas to take care of Elliott’s premature fall from elite standing and exceeded expectations within the RB rotation. His well being and a few decline in run blocking could have restricted his alternative as a starter in 2023. However however, Dallas obtained a lot out of this fourth-round choose.
fifth Spherical: CB Michael Jackson (158th general)
Dallas was flush with cornerback expertise once they drafted Jackson. They nonetheless had Byron Jones, Anthony Brown, Chidobe Awuzie, and Jourdan Lewis within the combine, plus a roster spot reserved for particular teamer C.J. Goodwin. Jackson didn’t do sufficient to be secured on the 53 and landed on the observe squad, and about two months later the Lions poached him.
He bounced from Detroit to New England to Seattle from 2019-2021, totally on observe squad obligation. However in 2022, Jackson grew to become a full-time starter for the Seahawks and simply re-signed with them this previous spring. He’s confirmed to be a top quality NFL participant, however the timing in Dallas simply wasn’t proper.
fifth Spherical: DE Joe Jackson (one hundred and sixty fifth general)
Apart from an obnoxious quantity of Jackson Household jokes, which I used to be most likely 60-70% liable for, not a lot else got here from this choose. Jackson did make the roster as a rookie however barely performed, then did not make the group in 2020. He spent a number of years in Cleveland as a down-roster participant and has since been with the UFL and CFL.
sixth Spherical: S Donovan Wilson (213th general)
Taken late within the sixth spherical, Wilson had a quiet rookie yr of principally particular groups obligation. However with skinny expertise in entrance of him at security. Wilson emerged in 2020 as a playmaker and began 10 video games, logging two interceptions, 3.5 sacks, and three compelled fumbles.
Upon Dan Quinn’s arrival in 2021 and a few offseason renovations at security, Wilson grew to become a part of a strong trio with Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker. Accidents price him seven video games that yr, however he’s returned to type within the final two seasons. He earned a second contract from Dallas final yr. A real robust security, Wilson is poised for a giant 2024 with Mike Zimmer speaking over the protection and certain placing Wilson in additional conventional conditions for achievement.
seventh Spherical: RB Mike Weber (218th general)
One in all many former Buckeyes to get a shot with Jason Garrett’s Cowboys, Weber obtained one yr on the observe squad after which converted to the Chiefs’. He’s bounced round a number of groups after which different skilled leagues, however by no means noticed a single snap in an NFL sport.
seventh Spherical: DE Jalen Jelks (241st general)
After spending his rookie yr on injured reserve, Jelks obtained waived the next August after Dallas traded for veteran Everson Griffen. He had transient stints with the Panthers and Browns that yr, then obtained picked up by Washington. Nonetheless scuffling with accidents there, Jelks by no means noticed motion in an actual sport and was out of the league after 2021.
Closing Grade: C+
Whereas the dearth of a real first-round choose and the Trysten Hill failure make this a troublesome draft to bathe reward on, strong work was accomplished the remainder of the best way. McGovern was enough for the place they took him, Pollard was a giant win, and Wilson was a late-round steal. The Cowboys obtained a whole lot of work out of these guys and Wilson remains to be with the group now as a starter.
As talked about earlier than, you must give the group some factors for the way they used that first choose to get Cooper. Whereas he solely spent a number of years in Dallas, he arguably turned their offense across the minute he arrived. You even have to think about that Cooper would possibly nonetheless be right here at the moment if CeeDee Lamb hadn’t fallen into the Cowboys’ laps in 2020.
With the blokes who didn’t work out, you additionally must issue within the main influence of the 2020 season. Between the pandemic and scheme modifications that Mike Nolan introduced in as the brand new defensive coordinator, these guys had been up towards it to develop and impress. A participant like Joe Jackson, who was a real 4-3 finish, wasn’t an excellent match for the 3-4 ideas that Nolan tried to make use of. So even for those who see these as failed picks, they deserve an asterisk given the circumstances.
