2011 NFL Draft Results: Cowboys Pick by Pick Analysis and Grades

The 2011 National Football Draft is officially in the books. Your favorite former college football players are now members of the National Football League or on to sell insurance in their home state.

There were a few surprises, like Jake Locker going in the top ten and Da’Quan Bowers dropping so low to the 2nd round. The Atlanta Falcons bet the bird sanctuary on Julio Jones and the Saints will probably send Mr. Bush back to Cali with the selection of Mark Ingram.

It was an eventful and surprising draft that left some fans hopeful and others were just hurt.

The Dallas Cowboys were just kind of, meh, with this draft. They only selected one cornerback, didn’t address the safety position, and grabbed an athletic yet injured linebacker.

Of course only time will tell if Dallas made the right moves with the 2011 NFL Draft but until that day arrives I’m here to provide a few grades for Jerry’s draft. Oh—and a pick by pick analysis.

So before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his goons make these newly minted NFL players pay them some dough for being drafted, here is my Cowboys draft analysis.

1st Round, 9th Pick, Tyron Smith, OT – Grade B+

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Tyron Smith, #9 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys, holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

The Cowboys kind of showed their hands on this pick awhile ago but its not like this was a poker game. Smith is considered to be the most athletic tackle in the draft with the most potential so Jerry decided to go after him.

Dallas needs help on the offensive line, just ask Tony Romo. Smith may turn out to be a cornerstone type of player for the ‘Boys or he may just be middle of the road. Either way, Jerry made the right pick here in choosing Smith. Besides, can’t get any worse than Alex Barron, can it?

2nd Round, 40th Pick, Bruce Carter, OLB – Grade C

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 13: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled by Bruce Carter #54 and teammate Jared McAdoo #97 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Here’s why I give picking Carter a C, which is basically an average grade. Carter blew out his ACL last season and was unavailable to show his talents to scouts and teams with the combine and his pro day rolled around. Carter, like Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee, was still drafted by Jerry even though his knee isn’t fully healed.

However, Carter is such an athlete that Jones felt he got a steal in choosing the linebacker out of UNC. Keith Brooking’s days in Dallas are numbered with Carter stepping foot onto Valley Ranch but who’s to say that Bruce will fully recover from his injury?

He doesn’t rush the passer well but the Cowboys didn’t pick him for that. He’s pretty good at zone and man coverage, something that Brooking frequently struggled in.

With this one, only time will tell if he works out and the same goes for Sean Lee.

3rd Round, 71st Pick, Demarco Murray, RB – Grade C Minus

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 13: Running back DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs with the ball against Nate Williams #8 of the Washington Huskies during the game on September 13, 2008 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Sooners defeated the H

Murray is a great athlete and Jerry drafted him for return purposes. I dare to say that Dez Bryant’s days returning punts and kicks are probably over with the addition of Murray. Plus, Bryant’s to valuable as a receiver to risk injuring him on a kick return.

Murray is very versatile and will often line up as a slot receiver in certain packages at Oklahoma. I’m sure Garrett will get plenty creative in how he uses the speedy runner and the Cowboys will be better because of it.

Still, I have to wonder why Jones decided to reach for a return/running back instead of going after a cornerback or safety in the 3^rd round. He must have a lot of faith in Terrance Newman and Mike Jenkins because if they have another year like the last he’ll regret not addressing the team’s secondary issues in the draft.

4th Round, 110th Pick, David Arkin, OG – Grade – B

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 03: The Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award is displayed during a press conference where the New England Patriots received the award for being this year's best offensive line, as determined by John Madden and fan voting, at the Su

Arkin was a tackle in college and will move to guard for the Cowboys. He’ll eventually replace either Kyle Kosier or Leonard Davis on the left or right side and it could be a quick transition.

Davis was benched last season due to poor play and if Arkin can prove himself in training camp I don’t see Garrett having any hesitations with yanking Davis again.

I think the Cowboys did themselves a great service by addressing the offensive line again in the 4^th round and we’ll eventually see the 2010 Cowboys offensive line become a thing of the past.

5th Round, 143rd Pick, Joshua Thomas, CB – Grade D

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: James Starks #19 of the Buffalo Bulls celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with Chris Lauzze #79, Andrew West #72 and Peter Bittner #73 while playing the Ball State Cardinals during the second quarter of the MAC Championship game o

From what I understand about Thomas he has terrible hands. So unless Jerry believes those bricks he has on the ends of his arms turn into soft threaded catching nets then they may have a problem in Valley Ranch.

There were a few cornerbacks still out there that graded out higher than Thomas and with news that Thomas will serve on special teams this doesn’t seem like a smart pick. He’s speedy and can make up for lost time if he’s beat off the line by a receiver but Dallas may only hope for a batted ball instead of a turnover if he’s on the job.

6th Round, 176th Pick, Dwayne Harris, WR – Grade C

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BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 18: Wide receiver Dwayne Harris #17 of the East Carolina Pirates leaps to catch a pass for a touchdown over cornerback Rashad Carmichael #21 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virgi

Thomas is out of East Carolina University and he’s the team’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Not bad for a guy who was drafted in the 6^th round.

He doesn’t have top speed as he runs a 4.5 in the 40 but his potential seems to be pretty good. He’s 5’10” and has a nice frame with great strength.

Harris may be another special teams guy but it wouldn’t surprise me if he turns into a pretty good receiver as he has a great fire and a dang good motor.

Still, I believe Dallas should have gone after a safety or cornerback instead of a receiver.

7th Round, 220th Pick, Shaun Chapas, FB – Grade C

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 29: Fullback Shaun Chapas #49 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs upfield as teammate and offensive lineman Cordy Glenn watches during the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 29, 2008 in Athens, Geor

Cowboys fullback Chris Gronkowski cost Jerry a little dough last year. He missed two key blocks for the team: Romo separated his shoulder due to his mis-step and he Dez Bryant fractured his ankle on Gronkowski’s watch.

Not looking good for Chris, is it? But Chapas will still have to prove himself if he wants the starting job and I’m sure Gronkowski will do plenty to keep his spot.

7th Round, 252nd Pick, Bill Nagy, OC – Grade C

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: The Wisconsin Badgers huddle together during their game against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Nagy is the Cowboys Mr. Irrelevant but so was Jay Ratliff a few years ago.

Bill is a grinder and was made the honorable mention list of the All-Big Ten team by the conferences coaches, so obviously he’s a worker.

Nagy was the third offensive lineman chosen by Jerry and with this pick it should put to rest any qualms fans may have about the team’s issues at offensive line.