Dallas Cowboys: Will Morris Claiborne reach his potential?

Maybe Morris Claiborne is one of the biggest busts in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, or maybe this is the season everything finally comes together for the sixth overall selection of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Sep 21, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback

Morris Claiborne

(24) intercepts a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver

Brian Quick

(83) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Cowboys defeated the Rams 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Depending on how Claiborne returns from his ruptured patella tendon injury from this past season will go a long way in what type of player he stays or becomes for the 2015 season.

Before his season-ending injury on Sept. 28 vs. the New Orleans Saints, Claiborne had seven tackles, two passes defended and one interception this past season.

Claiborne has never played a full NFL season. He suited up for 15 contests in his rookie season in 2012, followed with 10 games played in ’13 and four appearances this past season.

In his 29 games played throughout his NFL career, Claiborne has 88 combined tackles and three interceptions (one in each season).

With the stats of the former LSU product, we must go back to the initial statement of the article in what will be the end result of the career of Claiborne as he enters the final year of his rookie contract?

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Remember, the Cowboys traded the No. 14 selection and their 45th overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in the ’12 draft for what was the sixth selection of that draft, so before Claiborne even wore the silver helmet with the blue star, the expectations were outrageous to begin with.

Nonetheless, most every first-round selection has outrageous expectations placed on them, but the Cowboys invested a lot into getting the chance to take Claiborne off the draft board to help rebuild and lead a defensive backfield, and that’s not to be forgotten either.

Can Claiborne finally become the player the Cowboys envisioned him to becoming? The cornerback when being drafted out of LSU had a scouting report on NFL.com describing him as a first-round value.

In fact, that NFL.com 2012 scouting report said the following about the cornerback, who was graded at 91.5:

"“As a zone defender, he is simply an explosive athlete with length and can keep plays in front of him and react quick enough to meet the man at the ball. He is physical in run support and will have no problem coming up to tackle from the edge.”"

Have we seen that player yet during his time as a Dallas Cowboys cornerback? Remember, Claiborne has lost his starting job as a Cowboys cornerback as well during his tenure with the team.

This upcoming season, recovery from his injury or not, it is a prove-it type of season for Claiborne – plain and simple.

But will he even get a chance to prove his worth to the franchise because of how his knee is recovering?

Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas wrote in late February:

"“Claiborne is a candidate to start training camp on the physically unable to perform list as he comes back from a torn patellar tendon. He played in only three games last year before getting hurt. His first two seasons were underwhelming as well.”"

With Claiborne, this story will only have one of two endings when it is all said and done…he’ll be one of the biggest busts in the history of the Cowboys, or he will make a big difference for a defense that could use some help this upcoming season.

Next: Would Bryce Petty be a good QB project?

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