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Joe Nicely ranks the 10 best draft picks ever for the Dallas Cowboys. What are the greatest draft day moves that America's Team has ever made?
10 Greatest NFL Draft Picks in Dallas Cowboys History
With a nickname like “America’s Team”, it’s pretty safe to say that tons of football fans are paying close attention to the picks the Dallas Cowboys make in the NFL Draft. There have undoubtedly been huge hits and misses during the Jerry Jones era, but we’ll dive all the way back in Cowboys history to determine the iconic franchise’s 10 best NFL draft picks.
Remember, this isn’t a “greatest Dallas Cowboys of all time” list, so we’ll consider where a player was selected overall, as well as the players that were available around them. Let’s dive in!
10. Bob Hayes - 88th Overall Pick, Seventh Round; 1964 NFL Draft
Dallas’ selection of “Bullet” Bob Hayes forever changed the way players are evaluated for the NFL Draft. The Cowboys elected to take a chance on the Olympic-level sprinter with unrefined football skills. Hayes’ speed revolutionized the pro passing attack and forced defenses to focus on downfield threats.
9. CeeDee Lamb - 17th Overall Pick, First Round; 2020 NFL Draft
What makes the selection of CeeDee Lamb stand out is that he was the third wide receiver selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Going behind Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy, Lamb has lapped both in production over the course of his dazzling career with the Cowboys.
8. Larry Allen - 46th Overall Pick, Second Round; 1994 NFL Draft
Dallas made Larry Allen their highest offensive lineman selected since 1981 by grabbing him with the 46th overall pick of the 1994 NFL Draft. The Cowboys took a huge risk on the athletic lineman out of tiny Sonoma State University and it paid off in a huge way, as Allen won a Super Bowl and made 10 Pro Bowls while in Dallas. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
7. Tony Dorsett - 2nd Overall Pick, First Round; 1977 NFL Draft
We know that things can sometimes go horribly wrong when trading up in the NFL Draft, so it feels like we should recognize it when an aggressive trade pays off. The Cowboys gave up an impressive haul of draft picks – a first and three second-rounders – to the Seattle Seahawks in order to move up and select Tony Dorsett with the second overall pick of the 1977 NFL Draft. Needless to say, the moved worked out beautifully for the Cowboys, as Dorsett helped lead the team to a Super Bowl title in his rookie season.
6. Zach Martin - 16th Overall Pick, First Round; 2014 NFL Draft
While nabbing a future Hall of Famer with a mid first-round pick deserves a tip of the cap in and of itself, the selection of Zach Martin is especially notable due to the circumstances surrounding it. 2014 was the infamous “Johnny Manziel Draft” and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was apparently itching to take “Johnny Football” with the pick that was ultimately used to select Martin. a player that was a certified college football phenom.
For once, Jones’ more conservative side won out, as the ‘Boys passed on a player that was a certified college football phenom and hit a home-run with the selection of Martin, a player who provided Dallas with an offensive line stalwart for the next decade, while Manziel’s career flamed out quickly in Cleveland.
5. Troy Aikman - 1st Overall Pick, First Round; 1989 NFL Draft
Getting a great player with the first overall pick is nowhere near guaranteed, but the 1989 NFL Draft was an especially interesting one when considering that four of the first five players selected ultimately landed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The one who didn’t – Tony Mandarich – was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the second overall pick and is considered one of the biggest busts of all time. Dallas wisely picked Troy Aikman ahead of Mandarich, a decision that put the Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s into motion.
4. Jason Witten - 69th Overall Pick, Third Round; 2003 NFL Draft
The fact that Jason Witten was selected in the third round and was the fifth tight end selected in the 2003 NFL Draft sends him skyrocketing up our list of Dallas’ greatest draft picks. Despite starting only one season at the University of Tennessee, Witten elected to skip his senior year and enter the NFL Draft, a decision that many talent evaluators thought was a mistake. The Cowboys were rewarded by their decision to grab Witten, as he went on to become Dallas’ all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.
3. Larry Brown - 320th Overall Picks, 12th Round; 1991 NFL Draft
Arguably the best value pick in Cowboys history, Larry Brown was the 320th player off the board in the 1991 NFL Draft. Despite being an overlooked cornerback out of TCU selected in the 12th round, Brown would earn a starting spot in the Dallas secondary during his rookie season. He would go on to be a key member of three Super Bowl championship teams and earned Super Bowl MVP honors while with Dallas.
2. Emmitt Smith - 17th Overall Pick, First Round; 1990 NFL Draft
Remember when running backs used to go in the first round? While many will debate the value of selecting an RB early in the modern NFL, I’m sure Dallas is very happy with their selection of Emmitt Smith with the 17th overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft. Smith was the second running back off the board in the first round – behind Penn State’s Blair Thomas who went second overall to the New York Jets – but would become a legendary cog in the Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s. He is the NFL’s all-time rushing leader and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Roger Staubach - 129th Overall Pick, 10th Round; 1964 NFL Draft
A Heisman Trophy winner while at the Naval Academy, Roger Staubach’s talent was no secret. However, drafting the Navy quarterback wasn’t exactly a no-brainer, as the team that selected Staubach would have to wait for him to complete his final year at the Naval Academy, as well as his mandatory four-year military duty.
The Cowboys took a chance on Staubach and to say it paid off would be an understatement. Following his military service, which included time in Vietnam, he made his debut as a 27-year-old rookie in 1969. Staubach would ultimately lead Dallas to four Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl titles in his illustrious career.
