Dallas Cowboys Draft Grade:

Round 1, #31 – C Travis Frederick, Wisconsin – Grade: C-

-I love that the Cowboys traded back picking up an extra third round pick (though they should have gotten more trade value), and that they addressed the offensive line. I just don’t like how they reached here. Fredrick was more of a 3rd round prospect, and the Cowboys passed up on a pair for first round talented safeties which was their other big need. The only saving grace here is Fredrick is pretty NFL ready and will be a huge upgrade over Costa.

Round 2, #47 – TE Gavin Escobar , San Diego St. – Grade: C+

-I like the Cowboys adding another Tight end. It helps give Tony Romo another weapon and allows the Cowboys to get more creative on offense. I just think Escobar is a reach at this point. I thought there were better tight ends on the board and that he was more of a 3rd round pick.

Round 3, #74 – WR Terrance Williams, Baylor – Grade: B

-Really nice pick here by the Cowboys, Williams fills a big need for Dallas as they lack weapons behind their starters. He’s also a really good value at this pick.

Round 3, #80 – FS J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern – Grade: C+

-The Cowboys needed a safety, and Wilcox has some potential, but he’s a really raw player who is probably going to need some development time. He was also probably drafted 25-35 spots too early.

Round 4, #114 – CB B.W. Webb, William & Mary – Grade: B

-Nice pick-up here for the Cowboys, their starting corners are set but they could use some depth here. Webb is a small school guy with a lot of upside, and could help out in the slot.

Round 5, #151 – RB Joseph Randle, Oklahoma St. – Grade: B

-The Cowboys needed to find a competent back-up to DeMarco Murray in this draft and they did so with Randle here.

Round 6, #185 – OLB DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina – Grade: B-

-Hollowman has some decent potential and should be a valuable special teamer.

Overall: C-

The Cowboys are not a team that could afford to take reaches early in the draft, they have some serious needs that should have been addressed and they just didn’t do that. I’m not too disappointed that the Cowboys gave up some value in their trade back in the first round, but it is bit shocking you couldn’t pry a late round pick out of the 49ers. What is most troubling though is that with four picks in the top 80, you should expect to get some quality talent and really they came up way too short. Grabbing a safety in the first round and either taking Fredrick at 47 or Barrett Jones in the 3rd round would have made much more sense for the Cowboys.