Rank'Em
Rank'Em: Finding the Best Undrafted DB Ever
The Cowboys have had plenty of great undrafted players, but if there's one position that stands out the most, it would be defensive back. We've ranked the 10 best undrafted DBs in franchise history. Who's No. 1?
10. Danny McCray: While the Cowboys were pretty excited about getting another undrafted safety following the 2010 draft, special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis was ecstatic about the signing of McCray. And it didn't take long to see why, as McCray quickly became one of the Cowboys' best special teams players. In fact, he joined Bill Bates as the only two players in franchise history to lead the Cowboys in special teams tackles in consecutive years. McCray played six seasons in the NFL, five with the Cowboys. He currently ranks sixth in franchise history with 78 tackles on special teams.
9. Keith Davis: When it comes to actual stories, there might not be eight better in the history of the Cowboys than the one Davis can tell about his NFL journey. Now, in terms of undrafted defensive backs, this is where he lands, mainly because he was primarily a special teams player for the majority of his career. But just playing six seasons in the NFL is quite a triumph for Davis, who dealt with two different off-the-field incidents where he was shot a total of four times. Still, he made it back to the field on both occasions and was one of the best kick-coverage specialists the Cowboys have ever had. Davis only led the Cowboys in special teams tackles one season (2005) but still finished his career ranked third in club history with 97 on special teams.
8. Jeff Heath: There has never been a more under-the-radar player than Heath, who was just a safety from Saginaw Valley State who found a way to stick around in 2013. By midseason of his rookie year he was starting, and he has gone on to start 41 career games. Heath has been labeled one of the best special teams players in club history, but has relinquished some of those duties since becoming a full-time starter.
7. Barry Church: The Cowboys couldn't believe Church didn't get drafted, so they were thrilled after draft weekend to land the four-year starter and All-MAC player from Toledo. As it turned out, they were more than right about his potential. Church ended up being a fixture in the Cowboys defense and a captain as the team's starting safety. He played seven years with Dallas, starting 63 games, before signing with the Jaguars in free agency in 2017.
6. Bill Bates: One of the biggest fan favorites in Cowboys history, Bates immediately turned heads when he made the team as a hard-hitting safety and special teams ace in 1983. In fact, Bates is one of the reasons the NFL decided to add a special teams position to the Pro Bowl roster. Bates was the first player to earn that spot in 1984, and he later went on to play 15 seasons for the Cowboys, leading the team in all-time special teams tackles with 216. He is currently tied with Ed Jones, Mark Tuinei and Jason Witten for the most years of service with the team, each playing 15 seasons.
5. Mike Gaechter: Not a household name, even among Cowboys fans, but Gaechter immediately made an impact despite going undrafted. He joined the team in 1962 and played in all 14 games, starting nine. In his eight years with the Cowboys, Gaechter started 83 of 108 games played with one interception. But that pick was returned 100 yards, the second-longest interception return in club history.
4. Michael Downs: He wasn't even the most productive undrafted defensive back in his draft class, but he's still one of the best in team history. Downs found the ball, or the ball found him. Either way, he had 35 interceptions during his nine-year career, which included the first eight in Dallas. As a rookie in 1981, he had seven interceptions, while starting 15 games as an undrafted rookie from Rice. Downs, who was the Cowboys' starting free safety during his tenure, picked off at least one pass and a fumble recovery in each of his nine pro seasons, totaling 49 career takeaways.
3. Everson Walls: The reason Downs was overshadowed as a rookie was because Walls was even more productive. The undrafted star from Grambling not only made the team as a starting cornerback, but picked off 11 passes in 1981, the most by any undrafted player in the Super Bowl era. Walls backed it up the next year, picking off seven in a strike-shortened season in 1982 (nine games) and went on to lead the NFL in picks three separate times, earning four Pro Bowl appearances. Walls finished his career with 57 interceptions, including 44 with the Cowboys, which ranks second only to Mel Renfro (52) in team history.
2. Cornell Green: There are some longtime media members that have followed the Cowboys for years who say Green is long overdue for a spot in the Ring of Honor. Undrafted in 1962, Green played 13 seasons, both at corner and safety, and picked off 34 passes. He made five Pro Bowls in his career and combined with Mel Renfro to form one of the best defensive back duos in franchise history.
1. Cliff Harris: One of the best all-around defensive players in Cowboys history, Harris finally made it into the Ring of Honor in 2004. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade team of the 1970s, and is the only defensive player from that squad not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Harris was known for his relentless playmaking ability, that not only included big hits over the middle, but a knack for finding the ball. He ranks ninth in team history with 29 career interceptions, but is third in playoff history with six picks in the postseason. Harris nearly was inducted into Canton in 2004, but after making it to the final 15, he was passed over by the voting committee. Still, Harris remains one of the greatest safeties in NFL history and certainly one of the best to play for the Cowboys.
