Could the Cowboys have done better in 2016 NFL Draft? Revisiting draft class ft. Ezekiel Elliott, Jalen Ramsey and co.
The Dallas Cowboys had a memorable 2016 NFL Draft class that featured running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott. Both Elliott and Prescott have been staples for the Cowboys from when they were drafted up until this past season.
Prescott is still the foreseeable quarterback for the future, but Elliott is gone from the team as they finally released him this off-season after seven seasons. While he is the only Cowboys remaining on the roster from the 2016 NFL Draft, the Cowboys had a solid draft that year.
Here are the nine draft picks by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL Draft:
- Round one, pick #4 - RB Ezekiel Elliot
- Round two, pick #34 - LB Jaylon Smith
- Round three, pick #67 - DT Maliek Collins
- Round four, pick #101 - DE Charles Tapper
- Round four, pick #135 - QB Dak Prescott
- Round six, pick #189 - CB Anthony Brown
- Round six, pick #212 - S Kavon Frazier
- Round six, pick #216 - RB Darius Jackson
- Round six, pick #217 - TE Rico Gathers
Where the Dallas Cowboys went right and wrong in the 2016 NFL Draft
If Dak Prescott can lead the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory at least once in his career, then their 2016 NFL Draft class for the Cowboys will also be viewed as a success.
Dak was a third-day pick steal as he was taken with one of Dallas' fourth-round picks. He's made two Pro Bowls, won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and has thrown for over 24,000 yards and 166 touchdowns.
Ezekiel Elliott was an average pick because of how productive he was, but it wasn't the best pick because of his position. He went on to become a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, but they could have gotten somebody like Jalen Ramsey or DeForest Bucker that could have helped their defense out.
Cornerback Anthony Brown was a good pick from the draft as he was a member of the Cowboys up until this past season. He's now an unrestricted free agent.
Top free agent defensive backs available (2/2):
Anthony Brown
Bryce Callahan
Eric Rowe
Fabian Moreau
Terrell Edmunds
Ronald Darby
Jalen Mills
Justin Coleman
Ronnie Harrison
Lonnie Johnson
Terrance Mitchell
Jonathan Owens
Rodney McLeod
Duron Harmon
Selecting Jaylon Smith was a gamble in the second round due to knee damage coming out of college. He was a Pro Bowler in 2019 but was released by the team in 2021 due to injuries.
Cowboys release LB Jaylon Smith. https://t.co/xvTa9ob5vf
The rest of the Dallas Cowboys draft class only played for a few years on the roster and weren't a big impact for the team. Overall, the Cowboys had a decent 2016 NFL Draft class highlighted by Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Anthony Brown, and Jaylon Smith.
How do you think Dallas did with their 2016 draft class?
Where did the Dallas Cowboys go wrong in the 2016 NFL Draft?