10 Biggest Draft Mistakes in Dallas Cowboys History

As we approach the 2012 NFL draft and examine which players are best fit for the Dallas Cowboys, it's also important that we look back. There is a saying that states, you cannot understand where you are going, unless you comprehend where you came from.

During the Jerry Jones era, there has been many a draft blunder that has hurt the Cowboys. We can probably think of a few within the past few years. And no, I am not thinking of Mike Jenkins.

Dallas, like all NFL teams, has made a bad pick in the past. Sometimes teams believe that certain players are a sure thing, but they prove themselves to be something different.

So before we jump head first into our love for the next, great Cowboys player or bust, let's take a look at 10 of the biggest draft mistakes in recent history.

Bobby Carpenter, 1st Round, 2006

Dallas drafted Carpenter with the 18th overall pick in the 2006 draft out of Ohio State. At the time, he was considered a very good prospect.

During his pro day, he ran a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash and did 20 reps of 225 on bench. He looked great on paper and seemed to fit well with Dallas' scheme. But he bombed as a Cowboy and never quite took off.

Carpenter's best year in Dallas was 2009, the year before he was traded, where he totaled 30 tackles and one interception. He could be decent in pass coverage but lousy in everything else.

For a first-round pick, he has turned into an NFL journeyman.

Antonio Bryant, 2nd Round, 2002

Bryant never quite lived up to his potential. I interviewed his old receivers coach in Dallas, Wes Chandler, and he told me that Bryant was the hardest working receiver he’s ever coached. His work ethic may be second to none, but it never materialized to on-field success in Dallas.

Bryant clashed with former Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells and as a result, he was eventually traded away.

He played two full seasons in Dallas that produced eight touchdowns and 1,549 yards. It's not the type of production the ‘Boys were looking for when they drafted him.

A large disappointment for the Cowboys and a few other teams as well.

Quincy Carter, 2nd Round, 2001

Carter led the Cowboys to the playoffs in 2003, which led to the belief that he may be at least a short-term answer for Dallas at quarterback. But Dallas lost to the Panthers in that game and he was let go the following training camp.

He was never a good quarterback, just decent, and the Cowboys were wrong to put their faith in him.

Carter was an OK backup option, but never of starting quality or caliber.

Markus Steele, 4th Round, 2001

Steele played for three seasons in the NFL and was never heard from again. He totaled 46 tackles in his short career and after the 2003 season, left the NFL.

Steele was so bad that the Cowboys replaced him with aged linebacker Kevin Hardy after the 2001 season.

Not shocking considering he was a fourth-round pick, but much more was expected out of him than a three-season stint.

David LaFleur, 1st Round, 1997

There can never be a Cowboys worst draft pick column without David LaFleur. A replacement for departed tight end Jay Novacek, LaFleur showed and proved it by catching 85 balls for 729 yards in four seasons.

LaFleur just did not pan out for Dallas and his production was worth its weight in...in...yards? Yeah, I bombed.

Shante Carver, 1st Round, 1994

Carver is listed as one of the worst draft picks in Cowboys history on plenty of fan websites. He only had 55 tackles in four seasons as a Cowboy.

Carver was almost a waste of space for the Cowboys, but he was a big body who took up a lot of space. He just did not see it that way. Carver was a bust and after the 1994 season, he left the NFL.

Sherman Williams, 2nd Round, 1995

I placed Williams on the list because he is an Alabama boy and for what happened to him after his playing days were over.

Williams was a decent player for the Cowboys, as a backup to Emmitt Smith, he totaled 1,162 in five seasons.

However, Williams was busted for intent to sell marijuana and is currently serving a very long prison sentence because of it. I thought that he would be a pretty decent NFL runner, but I was wrong.

Martellus Bennet, 2nd Round, 2008

I thought the Cowboys did well by drafting Bennett out of Texas A&M in 2008. He did seem a little...eccentric...but I thought his athleticism would carry him a long way.

In the end, it did. It carried right out of Dallas and into the arms of another team. During his best season he totaled 33 catches and did not catch a touchdown for Dallas post the 2008 season.

Dez Bryant, 1st Round, 2010

I should place an asterisk next to this because I believe the team still has faith in Bryant. As long as his off-the-field issues remain quiet and he does not have any more slip-ups, he should be fine.

However, if Bryant has another debt problem to arise or a club incident to occur, team owner Jerry Jones just may wash his hands with the talented wide receiver. He has the ability to be a game changer, but may need an attitude adjustment off the field.

Could be a simple matter of maturity, yet as of right now, Bryant has the chance to become a major headache and regret for the Cowboys.

Skyler Green, 4th Round, 2006

Green wouldn't appear on many people's list of worst draft picks, but I loved him coming out of college and thought that he would become a good special teams player.

He lasted a season with the Cowboys and did not make it to 10 total punt and kick returns. Green eventually left the NFL after the 2008 season.