Top 10: Ranking The Team's Most Valuable SEC Draft Picks
The Cowboys have drafted a player from a current SEC team in four of the last five and eight of the last 10 seasons. The DallasCowboys.com staff compiled a list of the top 10 SEC picks in team history, based on value.
10) Morris Claiborne (LSU) – This was a speculative pick for the top corner the Cowboys traded up for. Injuries inhibited his progress early, but by midseason he developed enough to believe he could be a solid starter for years to come.
9) Kevin Smith (Texas A&M) – Smith played nine seasons for the Cowboys after getting drafted in the first round in 1992. He was a valuable part of all three Super Bowl teams, eventually taking over as a starter his rookie year.
8) Dat Nguyen (Texas A&M) – Nguyen spent all seven of his NFL seasons with the Cowboys after getting selected in the third round of the 1999 draft. He led the team in tackles in 2001 and 2003, compiling 104 solo tackles in '01.
7) Bradie James (LSU) – The fourth-rounder led the team in tackles for a club-record six consecutive seasons. His 202 combined tackles in 2008 and 181 combined tackles in 2009 are second and third on the team's all-time list.
6) Alvin Harper (Tennessee) – The 1991 first-rounder was valuable next to Michael Irvin during the Super Bowl runs. He came up clutch, particularly in the postseason, and scored at least four touchdowns in each season from 1994-96.
5) Jay Ratliff (Auburn) – This might be the best value pick. The Cowboys got Jay Ratliff in the seventh round of the 2005 draft. He's had some dominant seasons in the middle of the 3-4, racking up 7.5 sacks in 2008 and six in 2009.
4) Lee Roy Jordan (Alabama) – His 1,236 combined tackles and 743 solo tackles both place second on the team's all-time list. The linebacker also has the most combined tackles in a season game with 21 against Philadelphia in 1971.
3) Jason Witten (Tennessee) – The third round pick set the single-season record for catches by a tight end. In the process, he broke Irvin's record for most receptions in team history. He's still got plenty left in the tank.
2) Emmitt Smith (Florida)- The NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns who played an unheralded 15 NFL seasons. He'd be No. 1 on the list, but he wouldn't have been there at all if it weren't for someone else.
1) Herschel Walker (Georgia) – They took the fifth-round pick from the USFL, guessing correctly the league would fold. Walker rushed for 1,514 yards in 1988 and was traded for players and picks in 1989, landing Emmitt and Kevin Smith.
