Cowboys Draft Through Jerry Jones Quotes

The NFL draft is over. This means a couple of things: 1. Mel Kiper and Todd McSahy have to go back to the ESPN cave filled with mock drafts, and film. 2. We are now in draft grade season when people try to predict how teams did in the draft before these rookies actually get a chance to play. Instead of grading the Cowboys draft, let’s explain every pick using real quotes from Jerry Jones. 

Round 1: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

“The Dallas Cowboys are glitz and glamour. We’re about beautiful office buildings, the city lights.”

Dallas had a chance to get some help on defense by getting all-world defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Instead, Dallas made the flashy pick, and helped their offense with running back Ezekiel Elliott. Taking a running that high in the draft is questionable, but Elliott should thrive behind that great Dallas O-line. Being able to run the football and control the clock should help the defense, and besides, Dallas locked up Jeff Heath for two more years so the secondary should be fine. (Cowboys fans begin sobbing)

Round 2: Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame

“Others, though, by not knowing, the Mississippi riverboat gambler would be the epitome of that, he doesn't know if he's going to win the hand when the card turns up or get thrown overboard. He's at his charming best, he operates the very best.”

This is Jerry Jones comparing Coach Jason Garrett to a Mississippi riverboat gambler. Which seems like the opposite of the robotic presence that is the Cowboys fearless leader. However, Jones has never been afraid of risk, and taking an injured Linebacker in round two is a big one. Jaylon Smith would’ve been a top 10 pick if he were healthy, but with two torn ligaments and nerve damage in his knee, the chances of him playing next year are slim. There isn’t a timetable on Smith’s return, and there is really no way of knowing if he will have the same explosiveness when he gets back on the field. Apparently, the Mississippi riverboat gambler does better when he doesn’t know what hand he will get dealt.

Round 3: Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska and Round 4: Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma

“At the end of the day, our defensive front is still a position that we keep our eye on in terms of always trying to get better there.”

This one is pretty straight-forward. The Cowboys needed pass rush help even if they had their full complement of players to start the season. However, the problem is magnified with defensive ends, Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence, starting the year with 4 game suspensions for failed drug tests.

Round 4: Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State

“This quarterback Weeden can drive the ball down field,” “He’s a thing of beauty on throwing a football. “His passing motion and his arm, frankly, you won’t see a more gifted passer.”

You might think this pick was made to prepare a replacement for the aging Tony Romo. No, this pick was to replace Cowboy’s legend Brandon Weeden. Jerry Jones said you won’t see a more gifted passer than Weeden. Apparently he wasn’t gifted enough to win a start in Dallas, or hold off the fierce competition of Matt Cassel and Kellen Moore, but we will see if Dak can fill his shoes.

Round 6: Anthony Brown, CB, Purdue and Kavon Frazier, S, Central Michigan

“Is he what we hoped for at this point when we drafted him with the sixth overall pick, giving up the [second-round] pick to go up to the sixth pick to get him? No, But he’s going to be a good player.”

This is Jones talking about CB Morris Claiborne in 2014. To be fair, Claiborne had his best season last year, and started to show some promise. Dallas has needed secondary help for multiple years, but aside from using a first round pick on Byron Jones last season they have opted to address the Corner and Safety position mostly through late round picks.

Round 6: Darius Jackson, RB, Eastern Michigan and Rico Gathers, TE, Baylor

“Garrett "has a high tolerance for ambiguity.”

According to Jerry, head coach Jason Garrett has a high tolerance for ambiguity. So, using a sixth round pick on another running back when you already signed Alford Morris, and drafted Elliott in the first round? Sure. Using your last pick in the draft on a guy who played basketball at Baylor, and hasn’t played football since middle school? Why not? Dallas took some risks in this year’s draft. It remains to be seen if they will pay off.