The Dallas Cowboys had a good draft class in 2017. With major contributions from three of the draft members, Bleacher Report ranks the class highly.
The Dallas Cowboys got contributions in unexpected places from their 2017 draft class. Third round pick Jourdan Lewis took the most reps among rookies. But it was the absence of a major contribution from Taco Charlton that defines the class after the first year.
Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton recently ranked every team’s draft class from 2017. The Cowboys came in at No. 13 overall. Not a bad grade from a class that is still unsure what they will get long term from their first and second round picks.
Moton explains his ranking of the Cowboys as No. 13 by pointing out the boon the secondary received through the year. Although growing pains caused the secondary to play conservative during the season, this draft class shows promise.
He detracted from the class by pointing toward the lack of flashes or production from Charlton. But to be fair, Charlton did have to earn his time playing behind Pro Football Focus’ highest ranked edge rusher in terms of pass rush productivity, DeMarcus Lawrence. The biggest jump a player makes in production is from year one to year two as well. The book is not closed on Charlton. He still has plenty of time to develop.
Moton is on the mark with his description of the Cowboys draft class. The rookies in the secondary do provide hope that things will progress quickly back there. Chidobe Awuzie and Lewis did an amazing job as rookies. With their ceilings yet to be reached, the Cowboys secondary could be good for a long time.
The play of Ryan Switzer was a boon, but the Cowboys didn’t quite seem to know what to do with him. Trading him for defensive tackle Jihad Ward was a good move combined with the addition of Tavon Austin.
The book is still out on Charlton. He had the advantage of sitting a season behind Tyrone Crawford and Lawrence. Given Lawrence’s contract situation, the Cowboys would be smart to begin rotating Charlton through the lineup more.
Next: NFL 2018: Ranking the 50 best pass rushers
Obviously a draft class cannot be settled one year out. These rankings are based on their performance as rookies. But Moton does a good job of capture what is happening with the Cowboys 2017 draft class. And if he is right, the future is bright in Dallas.