Draft Tendencies During Garrett Era

We’re a little over a week from seeing what the Cowboys may have planned for the NFL Draft. Here are a few important dates to remember:

• March 2: Deadline to designate franchise tag player (3PM CST)
• March 11: Free agency begins and Trading window for 2015 begins
• April 30-May 2: NFL Draft in Chicago, IL.

The Cowboys expect to use the franchise tag on Dez Bryant by Monday, so we’ll know in two days. Will Dez sign the franchise tender and would any teams be interested in Dez despite the tag?

Once free agency kicks off on March 11, we’ll likely see the Cowboys sign their own players and we could see a few one-off lower tiered players signed to minimal deals. I don’t see the Cowboys going crazy, those days are over especially with the Cowboys putting more emphasis on building the roster through the draft.

We’ll have a clearer look at what we may be targeting once the free agent frenzy levels off.

Pre-free agency, most mock drafts have the Cowboys taking a defensive line player and it could stay like that or it could change especially if DeMarco Murray is lost to free agency. Doug Free and Jeremy Parnell could hit the market too, so that could elevaate an offensive lineman to the #27 pick. And what about Brandon Carr? Will he work out a paycut or will he bite the bullet like Ware did and hope for a better payday elsewhere? All of these will be answered soon.

That being said, let’s take a look at how the Cowboys have drafted under the Garrett Era. I broke down all the players we have drafted under Garrett by their collegiate conferences.

Jason Garrett: 2011- current

ACC: 4
BIG 10: 3
BIG 12: 6
SEC: 3
PAC 10: 3
MAC: 2
MWC: 4
MVFC,BSC,C-USA,Southern Conf,CAA,Independent: 1

Garrett has used 1st round selections on offense (3) and (1) defense on Morris Claiborne. 4 of 6 of Garrett’s BIG 12 selections have all been offensive players. Garrett’s best selections have been the offensive lineman; Smith, Frederick, and Martin

1st round picks since 2003: 6 picks for defense; 5 picks for offense (No 1st pick in 2004/2009)

DL: DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer
CB: Terrance Newman, Mike Jenkins, Morris Claiborne
OL: Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin
RB: Felix Jones
LB: Bobby Carpenter
WR: Dez Bryant

Which NCAA conference do the Cowboys like to draft from?

Over the past 11 draft classes, the Cowboys have drafted the most players from the BIG 12 (15); The SEC is a close second with (12); The BIG 10 and ACC each with (10) respectively.

Since 2003, the Cowboys have gone to the BIG 12 (11) times for offense; (4) defense

Under Garrett the Cowboys have kept that trend going by going to the BIG 12 six times

The Cowboys have gone to the SEC for both offense and defense at an almost equal rate; (5) offense and (7) defense since 2011.