Dallas Cowboys 2010 NFL Draft Grade

DALLAS

1.24 Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Bryant has character issues, and may need motivational help in the NFL. He’s easily the most talented wide receiver in the class physically, and his upside is off the charts. But he’s going to need a lot of attention in the NFL. If he uses his knocks as motivation, he’ll be an integral part of an amazing offense, if he doesn’t, the Cowboys better hope this pick motivates Roy Williams. GRADE: B

2.55 Sean Lee, ILB, Penn State
Lee has been injured a lot, but he fits well in this defense with excellent instincts. He was the second-rated inside linebacker on most teams’ boards, and if he can stay healthy he’ll end up filling in nicely for Keith Brooking. GRADE: B+

3ROUND GRADE: B+

4.126 Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, IUP
I like this pick a lot. I thought Ansah had an outside chance to be a second-rounder. Corner has been a friendly pro spot for small school prospects, and Ansah’s measurables are off the charts. Dallas had to address their depth issues at CB. GRADE: B+

6.179 Sam Young, OT, Notre Dame
Young wasn’t great in college. The tape on him is pretty bad at times, and he let Jimmy Clausen get beat up a lot. Still, he showed some flashes at the Senior Bowl, and he could be a solid depth guy on the right. GRADE: C

6.196 Jamar Wall, CB, Texas Tech
I like this pick too, and the Cowboys really do need to get deeper in the secondary. I was impressed with Wall’s size at the combine, and he’s spent a career covering top receivers. GRADE: C+

7.234 Sean Lissemore, DE, William & Mary
This was an interesting pick. I thought Dallas might try to find a nose so that they could move Jay Ratliff back outside, but it seems that they’re serious about unloading Marcus Spears and added some intriguing depth here, though there were better options. GRADE: C

Best Pick: Sean Lee
Worst Pick: Sam Young
Sleeper Pick: Akwasi Owusu-Ansah

FINAL ANALYSIS
The Cowboys got a typical Jerry Jones pick in Dez Bryant. He’s flashy, he’s speedy, he’ll help the pizzazz quotient in Dallas. But he’s also very risky and may never pan out due to laziness issues. Still, he did show up in college, and character concerns didn’t stop Michael Crabtree or Percy Harvin from continuing to make plays at the next level. Lee is a very underrated selection, and I don’t think too many people know how much Keith Brooking helped this defense. A contingency plan for his retirement was necessary.

Ansah is a guy I really like, and I think he’s got major upside. He’ll be a nice nickel option this season if he makes the expected progress. Wall is an instinctive ball hawk who works well in zone, and Lissemore provides depth and a project at 5-tech. Young was the worst pick because he has limited upside and was a weak nod to a major need.

I would have liked to see Dallas patch their holes at offensive tackle and guard early on, or really at all, but there was no doubt they’d take Bryant if he fell. There’s good secondary talent in this class, which is important, but again they ignored the free safety spot. They got some good players, but left too many areas untouched.

FINAL GRADE: C+

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