No doubt 2016 was a great draft, by any measure, for the Dallas Cowboys. Anytime you pick up a franchise quarterback in the fourth round (Dak Prescott) and a stud running back in the first (Ezkiel Elliott) that will power your team for years, that's a winner.
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But, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper (inside access required) still gave the Cowboys an overall draft score a 'C,' and says its future success relies on one player - Jaylon Smith.
Smith, from Notre Dame, was a sure-fire first-round pick before he suffered a knee injury that threatened his career. He looks like he's on the mend now. Still, here's what Kiper had to say:
Again, this is the best player in the draft if he's healthy, but what he'll become still remains a mystery, and that's a huge bet Dallas placed knowing its defensive personnel was a problem and will be again in 2017.
Kiper also noted that fourth-round pick Charles Tapper, the defensive end from Oklahoma, didn't see the field because of a back injury.
Given Dallas' defensive woes - the Cowboys have lost several players from that unit in free agency this season - it makes it even more important Smith and Tapper make it back on the field.'
