Dallas Cowboys rookie grades for 2019: Tony Pollard shines, Trysten Hill fails

Round 6, Pick 213: Donovan Wilson, S, Texas A&M

There was no rookie for the Cowboys more difficult to grade than Donovan Wilson. The safety rarely saw the field during the regular season as the defensive staff largely relied on Xavier Woods and Jeff Heath in that regard. However, he played well in the moments when he got his chances and was a standout in preseason action.

Because of the promise he showed in limited work, I’m giving Wilson high marks as a sixth-round pick. If he stays on that trajectory, he might be the second-best player in Dallas’ 2019 draft class behind Pollard.

Grade: B

Round 7, Pick 218: Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State

I didn’t like Mike Weber as the first seventh-round pick when it happened. They already had Elliott and had already taken Pollard, so it felt like overkill at a position that really (really) didn’t need it. And lo and behold, that was the case. He was put on the practice squad and didn’t seem remotely ready for NFL action, especially in an already crowded backfield.

Grade: F

Round 7, Pick 241: Jalen Jelks, DE, Oregon

For a seventh-round pick, the bar is obviously lower than for other players and such is the case with Jalen Jelks. The Oregon product, however, was in line to make the 53-man roster with the way that he performed in camp, impressing a lot of people. Unfortunately, an injury derailed those plans and took him out for the year. Even still, the promise he showed is enough for him to earn a decent grade.

Grade: C

UDFA: Brandon Knight, OL, Indiana

We’re throwing a bonus undrafted free agent in here because Brandon Knight came up big for the Cowboys in his rookie season. No, he wasn’t ever going to take over for Tyron Smith or La’el Collins outright. However, he was forced into spot duty for Collins and Cameron Fleming when they were both injured and performed serviceably in that role. Finding that player as a UDFA is a net win for Dallas.

Grade: B+