Dallas Cowboys: 10 Worst Draft Picks of the Post-Jimmy Johnson Era

When Cowboys fans reflect on the success of the early 90s it's hard not to equate it to Jimmy Johnson and his ability to evaluate talent.  Despite what Jerry Jones wanted credit for or how involved he was with the draft during the Jimmy Johnson era, the Cowboys were built by a combination of stellar free-agent acquisitions, trades and most importantly the success on draft day attributed to Johnson.  With Jerry Jones signing the checks and Jimmy Johnson evaluating the college talent year after year the Cowboys had the perfect recipe and it reflected with back-to-back championships after starting their new regime with a 1-15 record. 

Johnson was able to find players like Larry Brown, Leon Lett, Brock Marion, Jimmie Jones, Darren Woodson and Daryl Johnston after the first round, as well as other players who would go on to provide great depth and play key roles.  Although the Cowboys featured players like Aikman, Irvin and Smith , it was ultimately the depth that would benefit this franchise the most.  The depth that was uncovered during the Jimmy Johnson era.

The draft picks subsequent to the Jimmy Johnson era, unfortunately, have had mixed results and failed to achieve the same level of success necessary to win championships.  Despite winning the Super Bowl in 1996, Barry Switzer was the beneficiary of some key Jimmy Johnson holdovers.  This is where Jerry Jones is delusional in his thinking.  He equates that 1996 championship to his ability to steer the ship and to be able to say he did it his way.  But to Jerry Jones' credit some of those post Johnson drafts did yield players like Larry Allen, Dexter Coakley, Flozell Adams, Greg Ellis and Andre Gurode.  I still feel like a big percentage needs to go to former personnel executive Larry Lacewell. 

The Cowboys were even able to have tremendous success in the 2005 draft with the help of Bill Parcells and even recently with players like Sean Lee, Dez Bryant, Tyron Smith and Mike Jenkins.  When you really reflect on the post Jimmy Johnson era and how it translated into draft picks, this team has missed the mark more than a number of times.  This franchise has been the epitome of mediocrity for over 16 years and counting.  That is not a coincidence.  While the draft isn't the ONLY factor it certainly is big enough.  Let's take a look at what I feel are the 10 worst draft picks of the post Jimmy Johnson era.

1.  Shante Carver, DE - What a way to kick off the first draft without Jimmy Johnson.  Carver played four seasons in Dallas and posted 11.5 career sacks before bouncing around all the way to the arena football league's Dallas franchise.

2.  Sherman Williams, RB - Jerry Jones was handpicking Emmitt Smith's backup by trading out of the first round to get Williams.  After a total waste of five seasons in Dallas, Williams was sent to prison in 2000 for seven years.  Players like Bobby Taylor and Curtis Martin, taken after Williams, would've looked good in silver and blue.

3.  David LaFleur, TE - Around the time Jay Novacek was retiring Jerry Jones thought it would be good to find his replacement.  After taking LaFleur 22nd overall in 1997, he wasn't even close to being Doug Cosbie let alone Jay Novacek.  In four seasons his best production was 35 catches, 322 yards and seven touchdowns in the 1999 season.  You don't just find players like Jay Novacek in every draft. 

4.  Dwayne Goodrich, CB - Jerry Jones fell in love with him after seeing the Tennessee Vols win a national championship game.  So he trades down and takes what he thought at the time was a first round talent.  Another example of Jones thinking he's smarter than everyone else. I think Cowboys fans know how this one worked out.  Goodrich would go on to prison in a vehicular manslaughter conviction.

5.  Quincy Carter, QB - Another fourth or fifth round level talent that Jerry Jones just had to have in the second round.  Carter did have some success in Bill Parcells first year but his career was stamped with his substance abuse problems and trust issues with management.  He played in the AFL and attempted several comebacks.

6.  Tony Dixon, S - With Darren Woodson battling back issues and nearing the end of his career the Cowboys selected Dixon in the second round of the 2001 draft.  He played sparingly in the secondary and was usually clueless.  He was able to contribute on special teams before his time in Dallas was up.

7.  Jason Williams, LB - The Cowboys traded out of the second round and into the third to get their man in Williams.  Jerry Jones relied on Wade Phillips' input on this pick and it was the beginning of the train wreck that will forever be associated with the 2009 draft.  DeAndre Levy right now would be a welcome addition to this team.

8.  Robert Brewster, OL - Their second third round pick of 2009, Brewster never had a chance to make a contribution on this team.  He was injured as a rookie, never added the necessary growth to his physique and couldn't compete enough to warrant playing time.  I think Cowboys fans have heard the name Louis Vasquez from Texas Tech.  How much do you think he could help this team right now as an interior lineman.

9.  Akwasi Owusu-Ansah - A fourth round pick in 2010, this small school prospect was supposed to be converted to safety after having a pretty successful career at IUPA as a cornerback.  Another wasted draft pick on a secondary player in a year where fixing the secondary was critical.  After overcoming a few injuries the Cowboys gave him a shot in the return game and even tried him at receiver.  He's now with the Jaguars.

10.  Bobby Carpenter - He had all the makings of a prototype NFL Linebacker and the pedigree as well.  The Cowboys couldn't get him on the field enough after the playoff loss in Seattle and eventually Wade Phillips was able to carve out a small role for him as a third down linebacker.  Eventually he was traded for Alex Barron (yikes!) and he's currently with the Detroit Lions.  He also had a big interception against Dallas in 2011 that resulted in the worst collapse in team history by blowing a 24-point lead. 

It's always easy to second guess or play mind games regarding the draft and what could've been.  For the Dallas Cowboys the post Jimmy Johnson era, with the exception of 1996, has been nothing short of mediocre and disappointing.  It's been a long period of bad drafts, bad decisions and good fortune for other teams in the NFC East.  Cowboys fans still speak with passion and anger when the topic of Jimmy Johnson comes up because of his unceremonious departure.  With the upcoming draft looming maybe Jerry Jones could look to the mishaps of the past to provide hope for the future.