Draft Grades

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2015 NFL Draft: Final quick-snap grades for NFC East teams
By Bryan Fischer

Dallas Cowboys

Draft pick: CB Byron Jones (No. 27 overall), DE Randy Gregory (No. 60 overall), OL Chaz Green (No. 91 overall), LB Damien Wilson (No. 127 overall), DE Ryan Russell (No. 163 overall), LB Mark Nzeocha (No. 236 overall), OL Laurence Gibson (No. 243 overall), TE Geoff Swaim (No. 246 overall)
Day 1 grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A+
Day 3 grade: F
Overall grade: B-
The skinny: The star of the NFL Scouting Combine jumped from under-the-radar prospect to first-round pick after testing well and showing scouts he could cover better than everyone thought. Jones fills a huge need on the Cowboys' defense, and his versatility will allow him to play a number of spots in the secondary. On Day 2, the Cowboys got a top-10 talent at pick No. 60 in Gregory -- obviously, a tremendous value at a big area of need. If the team can get a good support system in place, Gregory could be the steal of the draft a few years from now. Green fills a void along the line and can play multiple spots, but whether he can stay healthy is a question.

Bottom line: Jerry Jones got off to a great start by filling a big need at corner and landing a top-10 talent in the second round. He made some questionable decisions after that, including passing on a number of potential quality DeMarco Murray replacements.

 

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dallasnews.com

Dallas Cowboys

Grade: B+

Rod Marinelli proved his worth last season when he turned the worst defense of 2013 into a competent unit.

But he isn’t a miracle worker, and coaching can only do so much. The coordinator needs talent to get the job done. And this year, the Cowboys worked to stock Marinelli’s cupboard.

They snagged cornerback Byron Jones, pass rusher Randy Gregory, linebacker Damien Wilson and defensive end Ryan Russell in the first five rounds — filling needs at all levels of the defense. Jones, the star of the NFL combine, should help stabilize a secondary that has serious issues at cornerback with the futures of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne in limbo.

Gregory, whose off-the field issues have been well-chronicled, has tremendous upside and could be the steal of the draft if he keeps on the straight and narrow.

Wilson, Minnesota’s leading tackler in 2014, provides additional support within a linebacker corps headlined by two players, Rolando McClain and Sean Lee, with a spotty record of availability. And Russell provides depth at a premium position in Marinelli’s rotation-heavy scheme.

On Saturday, Marinelli was seen wearing a smile at the team’s Valley Ranch headquarters. And it’s easy to see why. But in the process of accommodating Marinelli, did the Cowboys neglect the running back position? That remains to be seen.

 

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from SBNation.com
Dallas Cowboys

1 (27). Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut

2 (60). Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

3 (91). Chaz Green, OT, Florida

4 (127). Damian Wilson, LB, Minnesota

5 (163). Ryan Russell, DE, Purdue

7 (236). Mark Nzeocha, OLB, Wyoming

7 (243). Laurence Gibson, OT, Virginia Tech

7 (246). Geoff Swaim, TE, Texas

Best pick: Gregory - This is assuming that Gregory stays out of trouble and lives up to his status as a top 10 talent.

Questionable pick: Green - I didn't have anywhere near a third-round grade on Green and struggle to find anyone who did.

This draft rides on the effectiveness of Gregory. It seems like he'll either be developed into a star or could bust out. Jones is a great athlete and the type of cornerback the Cowboys needed to take to replace Morris Claiborne. Russell could be the late-round defensive end that really turns into something decent for Dallas. He has good speed off the edge and enough power.

Overall grade: B-

 

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How do we compare with the other divisional opponents?

 

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Evan Silva:

Dallas Cowboys

27. Connecticut DB Byron Jones
60. Nebraska DE Randy Gregory
91. Florida T/G Chaz Green
127. Minnesota ILB Damien Wilson
163. Purdue DE Ryan Russell
236. Wyoming LB Mark Nzeocha
243. Virginia Tech OT Laurence Gibson
246. Texas TE Geoff Swaim

Overview: Only time, of course, can tell how these players will pan out. I think it's worth noting that the Cowboys' draft heavily emphasized athleticism. Every single player here can be described as an above-average athlete for their size, while Jones, Gregory, Wilson, Russell, Nzeocha, and Gibson are all legitimate top-shelf movers. I think Dallas stole Jones and Gregory at their draft slots, before reaching a bit on Green. Wilson and Russell have starting potential down the road. On day three, the Cowboys sent a 2016 sixth-round pick to the 49ers in exchange for the pick used on Swaim, a proficient college blocker with tools-based upside. Like most everyone else, I wanted to see the Cowboys draft a running back. They repeatedly passed on the opportunity to select Boise State RB Jay Ajayi. Without a quality back currently on the roster, I'm skeptical Dallas will be able to continue playing "keepaway" at the dominant clip they did last season. With that said, I definitely think their roster improved with this draft.

Grade: B-