Dallas Cowboys: Jay Ratliff and the 9 Best Late Round Picks in Team History

Troy Aikman, Mel Renfro, Calvin Hill, and Michael Irvin are just a few of the names of some of the most famous Dallas Cowboys players to ever wear the star. Aikman went first in the 1989 draft and Irvin was the team’s first choice the year before in 1988. Both players are now in the Hall of Fame and were apart of three Super Bowl teams in the 1990’s

But what about the players to come after them? You know the Jay Ratliff’s and Carl Lewis’s of the world. Well, maybe not Lewis but the famous track start was drafted by the Cowboys in the 12^th round of the 1984 NFL draft.

Let’s take a look at the most productive late round picks in Cowboys history!

Jay Ratliff, 7th Round, 222nd Pick

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 11: Jay Ratliff #90 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadiumin on October 11, 2009 Kansas City, Missouri. The Cowboys defeated the Chiefs 26-20 in overtime. (Photo by

Ratliff is considered to be one of the best 3-4 nose tackles in the league right now. He’s undersized but brings a lot of skill to the defensive line of scrimmage. Ratliff’s role may change under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s scheme but either way I still expect Ratliff to dominate.

Roger Staubach, 10th Round, 129th Pick

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Dallas Cowboys great Roger Staubach on the sidelines during a Monday Night Football game September 19, 2005 in Irving, Texas. The Washington Skins defeated the Cowboys 14 - 13. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Staubach is in the Hall of Fame with over 22,700 career passing yards and 153 touchdowns. He took the ‘Boys to 4 Super Bowls, tossing three touchdowns in the 1978 Super Bowl against the hated Steelers. I would say for a 10^th round selection Dallas got a pretty return on their investment.

Kenneth Gant, 9th Round, 221st Pick

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25 OCT 1992: DALLAS DEFENSIVE BACK KENNETH GANT CELEBRATES AFTER MAKING A BIG PLAY BY DOING HIS SHARK DANCE DURING THE COWBOYS 28-13 VICTORY OVER LOS ANGELES AT THE LOS ANGELES COLISEUM. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell/ALLSPORT

Kenny Gant, the shark! My man was straight out of Albany State in Georgia and was a special teams guru son! Kenny never shied away from the spotlight and was one of the best special team players the team has ever seen. Kennyman also made wearing Apex look cool. Long live the shark!

Rayfield Wright, 7th Round, 182nd Pick

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DETROIT - FEBRUARY 4: Rayfield Wright speaks during a press conference after being elected tothe NFL Hall of Fame February 4, 2006 at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Big Cat is what they call him and homie was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970’s. He was All-Pro four times and played in five Super Bowls. Wright started at right tackle for 10 years and was responsible for protecting another Hall of Famer, Roger Staubach.

Leon Lett, 7th Round, 173rd Pick

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31 Jan 1993: Wide receiver Don Beebe of the Buffalo Bills (left) forces a fumble on defensive tackle Leon Lett of the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys won the game, 52-17.

Leon Lett! Every time I hear that name I think of when Lett dove on the ball against the Dolphins in that “epic” sleet storm battle. Nevertheless, Lett totaled almost 250 career tackles and had over 22 sacks. Lett will forever be known for the play against the Dolphins and the Super Bowl against the Bills when Don Bebe famously knocked the ball from Lett’s hands just before he stepped into the end zone.

Herschel Walker, 5th Round, 114th Pick

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18 Nov 1996: Running back Herschel Walker of the Dallas Cowboys comes up short on this touchdown attempt from Troy Aikman during the first half of the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. Mandatory

Walker was one of the strongest and best running back to come out of the SEC when he was chosen in the 5^th round. Of course this was after Walker’s stint with the now defunct United States Football League New Jersey Generals.

But this pick worked out great for the ‘Boys because not only did they get good use out of Walker but the team traded him to the Minnesota Vikings for five players and six draft picks, which eventually led to three Cowboys Super Bowls. I would say that this was an excellent late round pick, huh?

Bob Hayes, 7th Round, 88th Pick

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CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Bob Hayes Jr. poses with the bust of his late father Bob Sr. at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the 2009 enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty

I guess technically this is a late round pick since Bob was chosen in the 7^th round but it was only the 88^th pick, which is a 3^rd round pick now. At any rate, Hayes as a 3 time Pro Bowler and a 2 time NFL All-Pro. Hayes is probably best known for his speed as he was once considered the world’s fastest man, after all the man’s nickname was Bullet Bob.

Hayes was finally inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2009 after a long battle with the HOF selection committee but the induction was posthumous as Hayes died in 2002 of kidney failure.

Tahsard Choice, 4th Round, 122nd Pick

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Tashard Choice #23 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates scoring a touchdwon against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Choice is still young in the game but he sure has a lot of it. His coming out party was a game against the Steelers a few years ago when he shouldered the load after running backs’ Marion Barber and Felix Jones went down with injuries.

He may not be that high on head coach Jason Garrett’s list but he is one of the best young running backs in the game right now.

Larry Brown, 12th Round, 320th Pick

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 31: Cornerback Larry Brown #24 of the Dallas Cowboys poses for a photo as he celebrates on the sidelines during Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills at the Rose Bowl on January 31, 1993 in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys w

Brown is most famous for his two interception performance against the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. His play help lead the Cowboys to victory and for that reason alone Brown is one of the best late round picks the ‘Boys have ever had.

Brock Marion, 7th Round, 196th Pick

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TEMPE, AZ - JANUARY 28: Cornerback Robert Bailey #23 and safety Brock Marion #31 of the Dallas Cowboys team up to take down wide receiver Ernie Mills #89 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium on January 28, 1996 in Tempe, Ariz

I’ll always remember the “old” Cowboys of 90’s when they had players like Brock Marion, Larry Brown, James Washington, Kenny Gant, Kevin Smith, Alvin, Harper, and the list just keeps going. Marion has a career year in 1997 with 100 tackles as free safety for the ‘Boys.

He had a large interception against the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX and played a huge role in leading the Cowboys to their most recent Super Bowl victory in 1995.