Should Have The Dallas Cowboys Drafted Differently?

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Dallas Cowboys had the 5th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. They selected Terence Newman (CB) and this was a good pick for Dallas to help secure the secondary. Some may argue that Nnamdi Asomugha (CB) is a better player, but Dallas has to be happy with their first selection.

Al Johnson (C) was the 2nd round pick for the Cowboys and was not a good selection (he is no longer on the team). The Cowboys should have drafted Lance Briggs (LB), Osi Umenyiora (DE), Anquan Boldin (WR), Rashean Mathis (CB) or Ken Hamlin (S). Hamlin eventually signed with the Cowboys in 2007.

In round 3, the Cowboys drafted Jason Witten (TE) and this selection was a homerun pick. Witten, along with Antonio Gates, are the best tight ends in the game (both are multiple-time Pro Bowlers).

The Cowboys drafted Bradie James (LB) in round 4. He is a solid player, but better options like Terrence McGee (CB), Asante Samuel (CB) and Dan Koppen (C) were still on the draft board.

Round 6 brought B.J. Tucker (CB) to the Cowboys (he finished 2003 with the Pittsburgh Steelers). A better pick for Dallas would have been Cato June (LB). The Cowboys could have also used a couple of late-round draft picks on two undrafted Pro Bowl players - Kris Dielman (OG) and Antonio Gates (TE). The Cowboys luckily signed Tony Romo (QB) as a free agent.

Imagine what the Cowboys team would have been like with the two best tight ends in the NFL.


Summary Of Players The Dallas Cowboys Should Have Acquired In 2003

Lance Briggs
Dan Koppen
Cato June
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates

In the 2004 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys had no first round selections. In round 2, they had two picks. The 43rd overall pick was Julius Jones (RB) who was the starting running back for the Cowboys for four years. Bob Sanders (S) was still available and would be considered a bigger playmaker (if healthy) than Jones. But the Cowboys had a need for running back since Emmitt Smith left for the Arizona Cardinals.

The other draft selection in the 2nd round was Jacob Rogers (OT) and it was a terrible pick, especially when players like Nick Hardwick (C), Darnell Dockett (DT), Nate Kaeding (K) and Chris Cooley (TE) were still available.

Stephen Peterman (OG) was the Cowboys' 3rd round selection. He was only with the Cowboys for two years. A better draft pick here would have been Nathan Vasher (CB) or Matt Schaub (QB).

Their round 4 pick of Bruce Thornton (CB) was another wasted pick, which should have been used on Jared Allen (DE).


Summary Of Players The Dallas Cowboys Should Have Acquired In 2004

Nick Hardwick
Nathan Vasher
Jared Allen

The Cowboys bounced back to the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft with two picks. The 11th overall selection was DeMarcus Ware (LB) and it was an excellent pick by Jerry Jones. Ware is a franchise All-Pro linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys.

The 2nd pick of the first round was spent on Marcus Spears (DE). Spears is a solid player, but doesn't generate a lot of quarterback sacks. The Cowboys could have selected Logan Mankins (OG) or Roddy White (WR).

In round 2, the Cowboys drafted Kevin Burnett (LB). A much better draft pick would have been Lofa Tatupu (LB) or Frank Gore (RB).

The Cowboys drafted another superstar in round 4 - Marion Barber III (RB). Even when he was not the starter in Dallas, many considered him to be a better running back than Julius Jones. Barber is the biggest weapon on the Dallas offense behind Tony Romo.

The Cowboys had another draft pick in the 4th round and selected Chris Canty (DE) who is a good player, but not excellent. Trent Cole (DE) was still on the draft board.

Three notable undrafted players in 2005 that could have been picked by the Dallas Cowboys were Joshua Cribbs (KR), Robbie Gould (PK) and Atari Bigby (S). Any of these guys would have helped the Dallas team.


Summary Of Players The Dallas Cowboys Should Have Acquired In 2005

Logan Mankins
Lofa Tatupu
Trent Cole
Robbie Gould
Joshua Cribbs
Atari Bigby

1. Tony Romo
2. Marion Barber III
3. Jason Witten
4. Terrell Owens
5. Dallas Cowboys defense

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys had the 18th overall pick. They drafted Bobby Carpenter (LB) and hasn't been known yet to be a playmaker. However, DeMeco Ryans (LB), Antonio Cromartie (CB), Marcus McNeill (OT), Greg Jennings (WR) and Joseph Addai (RB) were still available on the draft board.

In round 2, the Cowboys selected Anthony Fasano (TE) and now plays for the Miami Dolphins. A better draft pick here would have been Tony Scheffler (TE), Devin Hester (KR) or Maurice Jones-Drew (RB).

The Cowboys drafted Jason Hatcher (DE) in the 3rd round and so far has not made a name for himself. A better impact player here would have been Brandon Marshall (WR) or Owen Daniels (TE).

Round 4 brought Skyler Green (WR) who finished his rookie year with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cowboys should have reserved this pick for Antoine Bethea (FS). The Cowboys selected Pat Watkins (S) in round 5, but Marques Colston (WR) is a franchise receiver and he wasn't drafted until late in the 7th round.


Summary Of Players The Dallas Cowboys Should Have Acquired In 2006

DeMeco Ryans
Tony Scheffler
Brandon Marshall
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

If Jerry Jones just tweaked a few of his draft picks (as mentioned, some of his draft picks have turned into NFL superstars), the Dallas Cowboys should have won more playoff games and perhaps more Super Bowl trophies.

Below is the team the Dallas Cowboys could have drafted. The team below is based on franchise needs and draft positions.

Tony Romo (QB)

Julius Jones (RB)
Marion Barber III (RB)

Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)

Jason Witten (TE)
Antonio Gates (TE)

Nick Hardwick (C)
Dan Koppen (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Logan Mankins (OG)
Marcus McNeill (OT)

Jared Allen (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)

Cato June (LB)
DeMarcus Ware (LB)
Lance Briggs (LB)
Lofa Tatupu (LB)

Nathan Vasher (CB)
Terence Newman (CB)
Atari Bigby (S)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Joshua Cribbs (KR)
Devin Hester (KR)

Robbie Gould (PK)