Dallas Cowboys 2012 Draft: Evaluation and Grading of Every Pick

Not only is the 2012 NFL Draft finally in the record books, but the draft continues to show why it's one of the most celebrated events in all of sports. This draft provided it all—excitement, drama and trades. One of those trades landed Morris Claiborne in a Cowboys jersey and brought some smiles to Cowboy nation.

But not everything went the way I thought it would. The Cowboys brass passed on some bigger names in favor of players they were higher on that were consistent with their board. Overall, it's not that I was disappointed in some of the picks, but I have to ask myself the question of whether the Cowboys really did enough in the mid to late rounds to put a firm stamp on this draft.

This 2012 draft won't be defined for at least a few seasons. But the Cowboys' decision to move up to select Morris Claiborne might prove to be one of the most important decisions this franchise has ever made.

I will be breaking down all aspects of the draft throughout the week but for now let's evaluate and grade the Cowboys biggest homework assignment of this offseason.

Overall Grade

Overall as a team, I would give the Cowboys a solid grade of a B. This draft will be instantly successful due to the Morris Claiborne acquisition. But while Claiborne will serve as a major building block of the future and a perennial all-pro, the Cowboys will need more out of this draft.

I see Crawford as a player who can contribute right away along with Wilber and Coale. But did the Cowboys over-emphasize character and intangibles with a player like Matt Johnson, while really missing out on some talent?

I would've liked an offensive lineman drafted in the mid-rounds, but there seem to be enough players in the mix for some solid competition. It's hard to fill every need and want going into any draft but the early results look positive.

That's what a draft headlined by Morris Claiborne will do.

Round #1- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

I don't think too many people saw the trade up and selection of Claiborne coming from a mile away. The Cowboys have ignored and underestimated the cornerback position for years and the disappointment of the 2011 season required some drastic and swift actions to be taken.

After failing to sign Nnamdi Asomugha last year in free agency and watching too many leads evaporate in the fourth quarter due to poor secondary play, it appears the Cowboys have done as much as they can to erase an area of weakness. Assuming Mike Jenkins' future will be short-lived, Claiborne and Brandon Carr will soon be considered a top five cornerback tandem in the NFL.

Not only is Claiborne is the type of cornerback you can build your defense around, but his ball skills are some of the best to emerge from the college ranks in years. As he continues to learn the NFL game, polish his technique and rely less on pure athletic ability, Claiborne's ceiling is unlimited. He's simply that good. 

This was an opportunity the Cowboys couldn't pass up. Giving up the 45th pick, which would've netted us Bobby Wagner, was worth the price to pay for Claiborne. Finding a shutdown corner, one that is arguably the best defensive player in the entire draft, is a sure sign that the Cowboys are doing whatever is necessary to improve this team. 

Players passed on: When you get a player like Claiborne and you have a need at the position it doesn't really matter. But for argument's sake the Cowboys passed on Mark Barron, S, Alabama, David DeCastro, G, Stanford and Michael Brockers, DT, LSU.

Final Grade: A+

Round #3- Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State

At 6'4 and 274 pounds, Crawford is the type of prospect that can develop into a starter at the five-technique position in the 3-4 alignment. I've watched plenty of Boise State games and nobody had to sell me on this kid and what skills he can bring to this defense. He will have to add some mass to his frame but the talent is clear.

Crawford knows how to get to the quarterback, he plays with a relentless motor, he's quick to locate the ball and pursue plays aggressively. His skill set is exactly what the Cowboys were looking for as they look to inject some youth and play-making ability along their defensive front.

Crawford is even versatile enough to play outside linebacker for Rob Ryan if needed. I'm sure he'll be lined up anywhere necessary to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. In two seasons at Boise State he compiled 13.5 sacks and was a productive player on one of the best programs in college football.

Players passed on: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson, Mike Martin, DT, Michigan, Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas, Mohammed Sanu, WR, Rutgers, T.Y. Hilton, WR, FIU.

Final Grade: B+

Round #4- Kyle Wilber, OLB, Wake Forest

The Cowboys continued their pursuit of upgrading the pass rush and overall defense by selecting the 6'4" 249 pound Wake Forest standout. I've seen Wilber play on Saturdays but I had to go back and look a little closer at what the game footage dictated.

In Wilber, the Cowboys are getting an excellent run defender and effective pass rusher off the edge. He brings a lot of versatility and fits into that category of "high-motor" player the Cowboys are looking for.

If the Cowboys plan on using him as a SAM linebacker he might need to add some mass to his frame in order to handle bigger right tackles and tight ends. After watching Wilber, I am confident he can be effective in covering tight ends as he showed solid re-routing ability.

He also displayed the ability to cover running backs in the flat and will definitely be a special teams contributor for the Cowboys. Overall, I do like this pick but I can see where it could also be perplexing as the Cowboys passed up on some really solid talent.

I felt that the fourth round was critical and the talent drop-off from round two and three into the fourth wasn't that steep. The Cowboys could have went in a lot of directions in this round, but they ultimately stuck to their plan of solidifying the defense.

Players passed on: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia, James-Michael Johnson, LB, Nevada, Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia, Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma and Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska.

Final Grade: B-

Round #4- Matt Johnson, SS, E. Washington

The Cowboys used their compensatory fourth round pick on Eastern Washington safety Matt Johnson. I was vaguely familiar with Johnson in 2010 but I definitely needed to do some homework on this pick before I rushed to any judgement. What I was able to research left me optimistic.

Johnson is a 6'2", 220 pound safety that the Cowboys are very high on not only to be a special teams contributor, but also challenge for playing time in the secondary. His senior season was cut short by injury but Johnson's time at Eastern Washington was a very productive one.

When you watch him play it's easy to see the competitiveness, toughness and hard-nosed style of play that Jason Garrett is looking for. He is outstanding in run support, he's a solid tackler who takes good angles and I saw the ability to cover tight ends. His 17 interceptions shows me that he's in position to make plays and he has the hands to back it up as well.

This pick is the classic scenario of a high-character player who possesses great intangible qualities and a high degree of skill. I think this has special teams written all over it for 2012. Although I will say that if he can stay healthy and show some ability then he should be given an opportunity to start at safety. Anything short of that would be considered a wasted pick and another AOA scenario that would leave fans scratching their heads.

Overall, it appears the Cowboys had targeted Johnson coming into the fourth round and they got their man. In some ways this does appear to be a reach but time will tell.

Players passed on: Jonathan Massaquoi, LB, Troy, Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina, Tank Carder, LB, TCU and Josh Chapman, DT, Alabama.

Final Grade: C+

Round #5- Danny Coale, WR, Virginia Tech

I really love this pick here in the fifth round. It fills a need with the departure of Laurent Robinson. At 5'11" and 198 pounds, Coale possesses a unique skill set that centers around crisp route running and deceptive quickness. He can play outside, in the slot, and can return kicks. This pick has Jason Garrett's fingerprints all over it.

I've watched a number of Virginia Tech games and I took a closer look after the Cowboys selected him. I see a little Wes Welker and Jordy Nelson in his game and I also think back to Ricky Proehl as well. Solid, consistent and dependable are the traits that come to mind when you describe Coale. He had 904 yards and three touchdowns in 2011 while being overshadowed more by Jarrett Boykin.

Overall, Coale will be competing for the fifth receiver spot and will have to battle with Dwayne Harris, Raymond Radway, and Andre Holmes. He has the size and speed to be a slot receiver and be a contributor on special teams. The Cowboys were going for versatility with this pick and they accomplished that.

If Coale can develop into the kind of safety blanket Wes Welker is for Tom Brady then this pick is a potential steal in round five. The Cowboys could havve went more athletic or for a bigger receiver, but his intangible qualities probably were the difference.

Players passed on: Marvin Jones, WR, Cal, Juron Criner, Arizona, Chris Rainey, RB, Florida

Final Grade: B

Round #6- James Hanna, TE, Oklahoma

The Cowboys went looking for depth at tight end and they found that in James Hanna. Hanna is a 6'3", 252 pound tight end that should fit in nicely as the third option behind Jason Witten and John Phillips. The biggest attributes that Hanna brings to this offense are his athleticism and quickness.

Hanna is in that new wave type of tight end with similarities to Aaron Hernandez. Hanna ran a 4.46 40 at the combine which turned some major heads and it can also create some matchup problems for opposing defenses.

Right now I don't think blocking his one of his strengths but that can develop over time and with solid coaching. For the short-term in 2012, I see Hanna as a minimal contributor on offense as he develops his game and learns from the veterans. In the future, the Cowboys have to find a way to use his speed as a downfield threat as another weapon for this offense.

Overall, I like this pick at this stage of the draft but the Cowboys had a chance at Orson Charles. While I don't see that as a major disappointment, I did like him better based on his productivity. This pick still fills a need and Hanna does have some upside to his game.

Players passed on: Markelle Martin, S, Okla. St., Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa, Brandon Washington, G, Miami, Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor, Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas and Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami.

Final Grade: B-

Round #7- Caleb McSurdy, ILB, Montana

The Cowboys spent their final pick in the 2012 draft on Montana linebacker Caleb McSurdy. This represents an interesting pick to me because I'm familiar with him from watching a lot of Montana football. But I just figured the Cowboys would either take a high-risk, high-reward player or a running back.

The selection of McSurdy definitely solidifies the insider linebacker position by giving Dallas a rotation that already includes Lee, Connor and Carter. He's 6'1" and 245 pounds and he brings his sure-handed tackling ability to a defense that quite frankly had trouble tackling in crucial situations.

He really excels playing against the run and has a knack for sniffing out plays with his good instincts. While he's not the fastest or the most athletic player, he makes up for it with his leadership and intelligence. I see this as a good defensive value pick although the case could be made for a few other players like Alfonzo Dennard, Cam Johnson or Travis Lewis.

At a minimum, the Cowboys get an outstanding tackler that can make his mark on special teams while waiting for his opportunity to play in base defense situations or as a key reserve. There has also been some chatter about a possible move to fullback at some point which I don't quite get. The Cowboys have Lawrence Vickers signed in the offseason and they also spent a pick in last year's draft on Shaun Chapas.

Overall, when a player like McSurdy was a major force in his conference while also compiling over 100 tackles it's easy to see the value. This was a solid pick that could potentially add some solid depth.

Players passed on: Antonio Allen, S, S. Carolina, Chandler Harnisch, QB, N. Illinois, Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan St., Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska, David Molk, C, Michigan and Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia.

Final Grade: C+