The Dallas Cowboys have been drafting players since 1961. Here’s a look at the best draft picks by position for the Cowboys:
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Roger Staubach, 10th round, 1964, Navy: The other obvious selection is Troy Aikman, the No. 1 overall pick in 1989 who won three Super Bowls in the 1990s. Staubach won two Super Bowls but the Cowboys showed tremendous foresight in taking him in the 10th round, knowing he had to fulfill Navy requirements before he would be eligible to play.
Running back: Emmitt Smith, first round, 1990, Florida: He's the NFL's all-time leading rusher, which is why he gets the nod over fellow Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett, the No. 2 overall pick in 1977. Jimmy Johnson preferred James Francis but had to settle for Smith, whose rushing record might never be broken.
Wide receiver: Michael Irvin, first round, 1988, Miami: The last of Tom Landry's first-round picks. He was the heart and soul of the Cowboys' 1990s dynasty. Picking Irving over Bob Hayes (seventh round, 1964) is a difficult decision. Both are in the Hall of Fame, and Hayes is credited with changing the game with his speed.
Tight end: Jason Witten, third round, 2003, Tennessee: He is the franchise's all-time leader in receptions and should pass Irvin in yards early this season. He has been selected for 10 Pro Bowls. He has missed one game in his career.
Tackle: Rayfield Wright, seventh round, 1967, Fort Valley State: He was a basketball player in college with one year of football experience when the Cowboys selected him. He played some defensive end and tight end before the Cowboys settled him in at tackle, where he became a Hall of Famer after earning All-Pro honors four times and Pro Bowl honors six times.
Guard: Larry Allen, second round, 1994, Sonoma State: Some put him in the conversation as the best offensive lineman to play. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl pick and seven-time Pro Bowler. He played every position on the line except center. In 2013 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Center: Mark Stepnoski, third round, 1989, Pittsburgh: In a few years Travis Frederick, who has been selected to the Pro Bowl the last three years and was named an All Pro in 2016, might occupy this spot, but Stepnoski helped anchor a line of two Super Bowl winners that opened holes for Smith and gave Aikman and Irvin time to connect in the passing game.
DEFENSE
End: DeMarcus Ware, first round, 2005, Troy: He was technically an outside linebacker but in reality his No. 1 task was to rush the passer, which qualifies him for this spot. He became the franchise's all-time leader with 117 sacks. He was named to the Pro Bowl each year from 2007-12 and should call the Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame home now that his career is over.
Tackle: Bob Lilly, first round, 1961, TCU; Randy White, first round, 1975, Maryland: How do you pick between Mr. Cowboy and the Manster? You don't. Lilly was the Cowboys' first draft pick and all he did was earn 11 Pro Bowl berths, seven All-Pro honors and help the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl. It took the Cowboys a little time to find White's home on the line but he was a nine-time Pro Bowler and eight-time All Pro. He was the co-MVP of Super Bowl XII.
Linebacker: Lee Roy Jordan, first round, 1963, Alabama: For 14 years he anchored the Cowboys' Doomsday defense. He did the dirty work for a defense that was among the NFL's best for years and was named to the Pro Bowl five times as well as earning All-Pro honors twice. He was added to the Ring of Honor in 1989.
Cornerback: Mel Renfro, second round, 1964, Oregon: He came to the Cowboy as a running back but moved to defensive back and made the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons. The first six came as a free safety, the last four at cornerback. He holds the team record with 52 interceptions and was named an All Pro four times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.
Safety: Darren Woodson, second round, 1992, Arizona State: A linebacker in college, Woodson made a seamless transition to safety and is the Cowboys' all-time leader in tackles. Because of the offensive success the Cowboys had in the 1990s, Woodson is overlooked but he was able to cover receivers, tight ends and running backs as effectively as any safety in his generation.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker: Nick Folk, sixth round, 2007, Arizona: He was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2007 when he made 26 of 31 attempts. He was better in his second season (20 of 22) but injuries hurt him in 2009 and led to his release.
Punter: Danny White, third round, 1974, Arizona State: Talk about roster flexibility. He was a terrific quarterback, helping the Cowboys to three straight NFC title games, but he also averaged 40.2 yards per punt.