With the 2011 regular season freshly over it is time to go back and evaluate every team’s draft classes based on performance this year. I will use a formula to grade each pick and calculuate a final grade for each team. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys get examined today.
GRADING SYSTEM
ROUND 1 – graded from a 0-5 scale
ROUND 2 – graded from a 0-4 scale
ROUND 3 – graded from a 0-3 scale
ROUND 4 – graded from a 0-2 scale
ROUND 5 – graded from a 0-1 scale
ROUND 6 & 7 – no scale, point awarded if player was productive
*I reserve the right to award a bonus point to any player who outperformed their draft position.*
FINAL GRADING SCALE
90-100 – A
80-89 - B
70-79 - C
60 – 69 - D
0-59 - F
2011 Draft Class
Round 1: Tyron Smith OT, USC - Started 16 games.
Analysis: Smith started all 16 games and held his own against some of the best pass rushers in the league. He will be anchoring this offensive line for many years.
Grade: 6/5
Round 2: Bruce Carter LB, UNC - 8 Tackles
Analysis: The Cowboys surprised a few people when they took Carter in round 2, knowing he was coming off a serious injury and would miss a large portion of the season. He did appear in 10 games but his impact was minimal.
Grade: 1/4
Round 3: DeMarco Murray RB, Oklahoma – 897 Rushing Yds, 2 TDs, 26 Receptions, 183 Receiving Yards
Analysis: Murray lead all rookies in rushing and would have likely topped 1,000 yds if he didn’t get hurt.
Grade: 4/3
Round 4: David Arkin G, Missouri St. - 0 Games Played
Analysis: The Cowboys got nothing from their 4th round pick this season.
Grade: 0/2
Round 5: Josh Thomas CB, Buffalo - 1 Tackle
Analysis: Thomas was cut by the Cowboys and ended up on the Panthers.
Grade: 0/1
Round 6: Dwayne Harris WR, ECU - No offensive stats.
Analysis: Harris got some action as a return man for the Boys. He had 231 Kick Return Yds and 80 Punt Return Yds.
Grade: .25/0
Round 7: Shaun Chapas RB, Georgia - 1 Reception, 9 Yds
Analysis: Chapas played a littley fullback but not enough to warrant any points.
Grade: 0/0
Round 7: Bill Nagy C, Wisconsin – 4 Games Started
Analysis: Nagy started four games for the Cowboys, not bad for a 7th round pick.
Grade: 1/0
Round 7: Tommie Campbell DB, Califonria, PA - 8 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble
Analysis: Campbell was cut by Dallas but made the Titans squad where he contributed a bit.
Grade: 0/0
TOTAL SCORE 12.25/15
FINAL GRADE: 82% B-
Analysis: The Cowboys and some hits and misses in this draft. They nailed their first and third round choices but at least for this season, whiffed badly in rounds 2 and 4. Carter should play much more of a role next season as he gets a full offseason to train and come in 100% healthy. Overall, Jerry Jones found himself some good players in this draft especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Other Grades:
Day 1: Carolina Panthers
Day 2: Denver Broncos
Day 3: Buffalo Bills
Day 4: Cincinnati Bengals
Day 5: Arizona Cardinals
Day 6: Atlanta Falcons
Day 7: San Francisco 49ers
Day 8: Tennessee Titans
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