The Dallas Cowboys finished last season at 8-8 missing the playoffs by one game. Their defense was ravaged by injuries and ranked near the bottom of every statistical category there is. They also had to say goodbye to two of their best players defensively this offseason in DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher. Clearly, the Cowboys had to upgrade their defense in this year's draft. Offensively, they also had needs in the offensive line and at receiver.
To see my full list of their team needs before the draft check out my article, 2014 Team Needs: Dallas Cowboys.
Round 1 Pick 16:
Zack Martin, OT/OG, 6-4, 308, 5.22 Notre Dame
- Most of his career at Notre Dame has been at tackle
- Dallas will probably move him to guard
- He has no experience playing guard
- Prototype size and speed for an NFL guard
- My top ranked guard in the draft
- Started in all 52 games he played in at Notre Dame, the most in school history
- Two time captain
- Athletic enough to pull and trap
- Highly respected
- Hard working team leader
- Pick Grade: A
Round 2 Pick 34:
DeMarcus Lawrence, OLB/DE, 6-3, 251, 4.8, Boise State
- Undersized for a 4-3 Defensive End
- I had him ranked as the 13th best DE/OLB
- There were 8 players available that I had ranked higher than him
- One of the best pass rushers in this year's draft class
- He is highly athletic
- Quick, coordinated big hands
- Has natural pass rush ability
- 20 sacks in two years at Boise State
- Carries swagger, plays with an attitude
- Lacks size to be a 4-3 DE, he must get bigger
- Has pass rushing ability, but must get better versus the run
- Will have to play the right side DE spot
- Pick Grade: B-
Round 4 Pick 119
Anthony Hitchens, LB, 6-0, 240, 4.74, Iowa
- I have him ranked as the 31st best inside linebacker
- Good size and speed ratio, I wish he was faster though
- Leading tackler and Defensive MVP last year at Iowa
- Played weak side linebacker at Iowa
- Aggressive tackler
- Flows fast to the ball
- Plays with a chip on his shoulder
- Highly respected for his work ethic
- Mentally and physically tough
- Very durable, only missed one game in his career
- Better versus run game
- Pick Grade: C-
Round 5 Pick 146
Devin Street, WR, 6-3, 198, 4.55, Pittsburgh
- I have him rated as the 17th best WR
- Very good size and speed ratio
- Team Captain
- Big target with soft hands
- Can play outside and inside
- Solid personal and football character
- Owns school record for career receptions
- Needs to get stronger and become a better blocker
- Pick Grade: A
Round 7 Pick 231
Ben Gardner, DE, 6-4, 262, 4.83, Stanford
- I have him ranked as the fourth best 4-3 Defensive End
- Good size and speed ratio. Could gain some weight if he can keep his speed.
- Plays hard, runs to the ball and competes hard
- Tough and durable
- Respected team leader and tone setter
- Left defensive end that plays better versus the run
- Pick Grade: C-
Round 7 Pick 238
Will Smith, LB, 6-2, 231, 4.59, Texas Tech
- Good size and speed, I would like to see him weigh closer to 240
- Covers the pass well
- Goes sideline to sideline
- Very productive tackler
- Be a special teams contributor
- Pick Grade: B
Round 7 Pick 248
Ahmad Dixon, SS, 6-0, 212, 4.64, Oregon
- Good size, but on the slow side at combine
- Ran a 4.51 at his pro day, which is GREAT!!
- Closes on ball quickly
- Aggressive, secure tackler
- Be a special teams contributor
- Not much of a cover safety
- Is a box safety
- Pick Grade: A
Round 7 Pick 251
Ken Bishop, DT, 6-0, 301, 5.21, Northern Illinois
- A little short and too slow
- Good anchor versus the run, not a pass rusher
- Strong upper body, gets rid of blockers
- Active player
- Pick Grade: D
Round 7 Pick 254
Terrance Mitchell, CB, 5-11, 192, 4.63, Oregon
- Prototype size, but very slow at combine.
- Ran 4.43 at his pro day, which is GREAT
- Has a gambler's mentality
- Aggressive and competitive
- Not much bump and run ability, more of an off man or zone coverage player
- 5 interceptions last season
- 3 year starter
- Recorded best 3 cone drill and 20 yard shuttle of the cornerbacks at the combine
- Pick Grade: A-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8uYES3Y1vg&list=PLFEGp6TnxgsOUuR4EQa6bd8yro2tTTTh5
Overall Draft Grade: B
It is my opinion that the Dallas Cowboys had a very good 2014 NFL Draft. I really liked their first selection of Zack Martin. Martin gives them a lot of flexibility in the offensive line. They can put Martin at guard, or they could put him at right tackle and move Doug Free in at guard. I would start with Martin at guard myself and hope he does well. Martin will fight for a starting job at either guard spot.
I feel they did reach a little far with DeMarcus Lawrence, but he was one of only a very few players that could put pressure on the quarterback. Hopefully he can add some weight and help in the run game as well.
I also really liked the selection of Devin Street as well, the wide receiver from Pittsburgh. He will fit in very well with Dez Bryant and Terrence Williams.
The Dallas Cowboys definitely made their team better with the 2014 NFL Draft!