Optimistic Career Projections for Every 2011 Dallas Cowboys Rookie

No time like the present time for speculation. The Dallas Cowboys drafted a number of rookie players this past April. For some that’s the best one can say about who team owner Jerry Jones drafted to take his team to the next level.

Jones failed to address the team’s glaring needs in the defensive backfield but made a mediocre splash in the 1^st round by drafting former USC offensive lineman Tyrone Smith.

But I guess regardless of what one thinks of the players Jones chose to draft they are Cowboys now and their football judgment day will arrive soon.

Will running back Demarco Murray make a huge impact his first season? How about linebacker Bruce Carter? Will he eventually take over for Bradie James or Keith Brooking?

If they do then what will their career impact be? Will Murray develop into a hall of fame type of runner and will Carter become of the Cowboys all-time greats at linebacker?

Well, I say neither but what do I know, eh?

Lets have a little fun and take a look at what the Cowboys rookies career may look like when its all said and done.

Tyron Smith, OT, 165 Games Started

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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)

It’s pretty tough to grade offensive lineman in regards to numbers. How many pancake blocks will he have or how many times did he stop a blitz from taking Romo’s head off?

Pretty tough to judge.

But since Tyron is projected to anchor the ‘Boys line for the next ten years there is at least hope that he’ll be the next Larry Allen. Not in terms of size but consistency.

I would projected that Smith will start 165 games for the ‘Boys will place him in Dallas for at least the next 10 years.

Bruce Carter, OLB, 493 Career Tackles, 8 Sacks

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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

Even the most optimistic projection for Carter takes into account his, ahem, ACL injury.

Jerry really loves the former UNC linebacker because of his athleticism and if he turns out to be half as good as what Jerry wants then I think he’ll be an all-time great.

I think Bruce will be in Dallas for at least seven seasons and during that time he’ll be more than serviceable for Rob Ryan and his team of misfits.

Demarco Murray, RB, 8,251 Yards, 45 Touchdowns, 4,489 Receiving Yards

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendal

Murray has the potential to be a great player. He has decent size for a running back and has great break away speed to run away from the largest defender.

If Murray stays in Dallas for the next 10 seasons he should average at least 800 yards per year. I don’t believe he’ll ever be an every down back but he’s so diverse that he doesn’t have to be to survive in the league.

If Murray stays healthy then Dallas has the potential to have one of the best backfields in the NFL for the next decade.

David Arkin, OG, 93 Games Started

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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 will move to guard in the NFL after playing tackle in college but that will serve him well.

It’s tough to judge the arc of his potential career path but with Dallas kind of influx upfront he will have plenty of opportunities to show himself in Big D.

If Arkins turns out to be half as good as I’m thinking then the Cowboys chances of winning a Super Bowl will continue on an upward trek.

Joshua Thomas, CB, 28 Interceptions, 301 Tackles

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

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

I’m on record in thinking that Thomas will be a nickel package cornerback and a special teamer for the ‘Boys. Part of that is a lack of knowledge on Joshua’s entire body of work and part of it is due to negative scouting reports.

Regardless I believe he’ll make a decent impact for Dallas and add some weight to the Cowboys depth chart in the secondary.

If he stays in Dallas for ten seasons then I believe he’ll average almost 3 picks per season.

Dwayne Harris, WR, 10,478 Receiving Yards, 74 Touchdowns

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 18: Defensive end J.R. Collins #42 and cornerback Kyle Fuller #17 of the Virginia Tech Hokies tackle wide receiver Dwayne Harris #17 of the East Carolina Pirates at Lane Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Harris isn’t the tallest receiver to ever grace Valley Ranch but I believe his will, desire, hands, and weight will push him over the top.

I think he has great potential to be the type of player Jerry thought he would get when he traded for Roy Williams.

Of course I could be so far off on this one that I’m run off from every writing again but I believe he’ll be one of the greats in Dallas.

Shaun Chapas, FB, 459 Rushing Yards, 5 Touchdowns

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Jerrard Tarrant #37 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forces a fumble by Shaun Chapas #49 of the Georgia Bulldogs on the opening kickoff at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

The Cowboys have been searching for a stalwart type of fullback since Daryl “Moose” Johnston retired.

They’ve tried more than a few bodies and if Chapas works out then they may have themselves a team.

Not saying he’ll open holes like Moose but Chapas has potential to be a pretty solid player.

Bill Nagy, OC, 12 Games Started

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

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 played a little of this and a little of that in college.

He played center and guard in college but I believe he’ll move to guard in the league.

I think he’ll be a solid back-up for Dallas and if he stays for at least ten seasons he’ll get his chances to start a few games for Garrett.