Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys 2016 draft class has more to give

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:02 p.m. ET

Fansided, Steven Mullenax/FanSided via The Landry Hat

The Dallas Cowboys 2016 NFL Draft class still has more to give, especially on the defensive side of the ball this upcoming season.

The Dallas Cowboys draft class in 2016 is already considered one of the best in franchise history. And that’s mainly due to two players. Those being former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott taken in the first round and late fourth round steal Dak Prescott, quarterback out of Mississippi State.

Both Prescott and Elliott were the talk of the league after their play helped led America’s Team to a 13-3 record and to the playoffs. Although that dynamic duo alone shined enough to make this draft class one of the Cowboys all-time best, there are more benefits to reap from the other players selected by Dallas last year.

Not only did the Cowboys land both Dak and Zeke, but they found themselves an unlikely starter in the sixth round with the selection of Purdue cornerback Anthony Brown. The 23-year old racked up 55 total tackles, eight pass defends and one interception after injuries forced him to start nine games during his rookie campaign.

This draft class yielded yet another starter in Nebraska defensive tackle Maliek Collins in the third round. Collins started 14 games and posted 23 tackles, 5.0 sacks and a forced fumble in his first season. The 21-year old was second in total sacks on Dallas’ defense last year.

The only other rookie to play during the regular season for the Cowboys was sixth round selection safety Kavon Frazier, out of Central Michigan. It was initially hoped that Frazier would be able to replace now free agent safety J.J. Wilcox in the lineup. But the rookie struggled in his first year, recording a total of six tackles in nine games. With both safeties Barry Church and Wilcox set to hit the free agent market this offseason, there is a quiet hope Frazier can develop enough this year to make a real contribution.

MUST READ: Dallas Cowboys upgrading army with sights on NFL crown

So already, you can begin to see just how these first year players contributed beyond Elliott and Prescott to the Cowboys success in 2016. But this draft class is not done. In 2017, there are three rookies who have yet to take the field whose play could flip next year on it’s head as well.

Linebacker Jaylon Smith was taken by the Cowboys early in the second round after a devastating knee injury sent him tumbling down draft boards from being the possible number one overall selection. Fortunately for Dallas, it appears the gamble to draft Smith is paying off as the 21-year old looks on schedule to play this season.

Lab Work day 1! Dat Shake back #ClearEyeView pic.twitter.com/kuQmj89vjV

— Jaylon Smith (@thejaylonsmith) February 3, 2017

In the fourth round, Oklahoma defensive end Charles Tapper was taken by Dallas. But a back injury prevent him from aiding the Cowboys pass rush in 2016. He recently declared himself fully healthy and on track to make a contribution this upcoming season.

Finally, with their final selection in the draft, the Cowboys picked up Baylor basketball star Rico Gathers late in the sixth round. The hyper-athletic tight end spent the entire season on the practice squad as quarterback Tony Romo‘s favorite scout team weapon. If Gathers can mentally make the leap this offseason, the Cowboys could have themselves a dynamic red zone threat in the 6-foot-6, 281 pound former basketball star.

In all, the Dallas Cowboys 2016 NFL Draft class was one of the best in franchise history. And it could turn out to be one of the best in NFL history. But their story is still unwritten. Only time will tell which of these young men blossom into role players or Pro Bowlers…and who simply withers away.