The Dallas Cowboys are one of the NFL’s most recognisable franchises. Jerry Jones is desperate to get his team back to the Super Bowl, which means dominating the draft to build a contending roster.
Since 2010, the Dallas Cowboys first-round selections have been unbelievable, including guard Zach Martin, receivers Dez Bryant and Ceedee Lamb, and defensive stud Micah Parsons. There are multiple Hall of Famers on the list, countless All-Pro selections and players who have dominated since the moment they were drafted by the franchise.
Here’s a full breakdown of every Dallas Cowboys first-round pick since 2010, including all the hits and misses, and what the picks say about their draft history heading into 2025.
Dallas Cowboys First-Round Picks Since 2010
2010 – Dez Bryant – 24th Overall
Standing 5th on the Dallas Cowboys all-time receiving leaderboard, Dez Bryant is one of the most iconic figures in the franchise’s history. An All-Pro in 2014 and three-time Pro Bowler, ‘X’ made a real name for himself as a big time playmaker.
Bryant’s run between 2012 and 2014 was phenomenal. In his three greatest seasons he caught 41 touchdowns combined, with over 1,200 receiving yards in each of those three campaigns.
2011 – Tyron Smith – 9th Overall
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Tyron Smith to be their franchise left tackle. Little did they know that he’d be exactly that for the following 13 seasons. One of the all-time great Cowboys, Smith was as reliable as they came for many years, earning five All-Pro selections, eight Pro Bowl appearances, and a spot on the 2010 All Decades team.
There is no doubt Tyron Smith will be recognised as an NFL Hall of Famer in the not-so-distant future.
2012 – Morris Claiborne – 6th Overall
Morris Claiborne had an incredible resume coming out of college. The LSU product had claimed the Jim Thorpe award in 2011, as well as being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
The Dallas Cowboys were looking to revitalise their secondary, and Claiborne was the pick of the litter. Unfortunately for both parties, injuries played a major role in his pro career. He spent five seasons with Dallas but struggled to stay healthy.
Claiborne started one game and featured in eight for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, earning a Super Bowl ring before he retired.
2013 – Travis Frederick – 31st Overall
The Dallas Cowboys run of first-round offensive linemen is astounding. Not only did they add Tyron Smith in 2011, but in 2013 found their franchise center in Travis Frederick. Oh, and the guy they drafted the next year turned out to be pretty good too.
Frederick was named a First Team All-Pro in 2016 after earning second team honors the two years prior. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times, and revered within the Cowboys organisation.
The Sharon, Wisconsin born talent spent his entire career with the Cowboys before retiring in 2019.
2014 – Zach Martin – 16th Overall
Three first-round offensive linemen in four years. All three were home run selections. Zach Martin was the final piece to the puzzle, forming one of the greatest offensive lines every moulded in the NFL.
Funnily enough, Martin turned out to be the best of the bunch, and not only that, he’s now considered one of the greatest guards in NFL history.
Zach Martin was named a First Team All-Pro seven times. Only Anthony Munoz has more selections among offensive linemen (9).
Martin is a first ballot Hall of Famer, and that’s not a debate.
2015 – Byron Jones – 27th Overall
Byron Jones spent five seasons as a starter for the Dallas Cowboys. While he wasn’t a major interceptions type cornerback, he was a sticky coverage corner who knew how to disrupt the rhythm of opposition receivers.
In the 2018 season, Jones managed a career-high 14 pass deflections and was named a Second Team All-Pro for his work that year.
2016 – Ezekiel Elliott – 4th Overall
Ahh the early years of Zeke’s career in Dallas were incredible. He posted a total of 1,756 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns his rookie season, and followed that up with several highlight-filled years dominating behind the Cowboys standout offensive line.
Sadly, injuries slowed him down significantly. But he still had six great years with the Cowboys, leading the NFL in rushing yards twice while earning First Team All-Pro honors for that rookie performance.
2017 – Taco Charlton – 28th Overall
Taco Charlton had reached double-digit sacks with the Michigan Wolverines in his senior year, and the Cowboys opted to select him late in the ensuing drafts first round.
Sadly, of all the Cowboys first-round picks mentioned in this post, Charlton is easily the most disappointing. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office opted for him over T.J. Watt (who was drafted two picks later).
The less said about this one the better…
2018 – Leighton Vander Esch – 19th Overall
The Cowboys drafted Leighton Vander Esch to play alongside veteran Sean Lee in what was easily one of the meanest linebacker groups in football. Just like Lee, Vander Esch was a vicious hitter and posted 102 solo tackles in his rookie season.
Injuries became a major factor for the Boise State product, who was eventually forced into retirement in 2023 following a significant neck injury.
2019 – (No First Round Pick)
The Cowboys traded their first rounder in 2019 as part of a package for Amari Cooper.
2020 – Ceedee Lamb – 17th Overall
Dallas nailed this one. Ceedee Lamb is one of the greatest first round NFL draft picks the Cowboys have ever made.
Ceedee has been a standout wide receiver in Dallas since the moment he was drafted. Not only has he dominated, but he’s played several different roles within the offense and has proven he can adapt to various styles of offense.
After falling just short of 1,000 yards in his rookie year, Ceedee Lamb posted four straight 1,100+ yard seasons. Those include a mesmerizing 1,544 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022, and a career-high 1,859 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, including the playoffs.
His regular season 122 receptions and 1,651 receiving yards are both Dallas Cowboys single-season receiving records.
2021 – Micah Parsons – 12th Overall
By the time you read this Micah Parsons may be one of the highest paid defensive players in NFL history. He’s one of the best Cowboys draft picks in the last decade and could go down as one of their best defensive players of all time.
He was named the Defensive Rookie of the year in 2021 and has gotten better and better ever since. He’s already a three-time All Pro (two First-Team), a Pro Bowler in each of his four years in the league, and on track for an all-time career.
In his first four years in Dallas Micah Parsons has posted a minimum of 14 sacks every single year. Minimum. He’s got 59 career sacks, and he’s chasing greatness. Parsons wants to propel the Cowboys forwards and bring them back to relevance.
He’s exactly the kind of tone-setter you want on your defense, and Dallas is going to have to pay a pretty penny to keep him there.
2022 – Tyler Smith – 24th Overall
Tulsa product Tyler Smith was a left tackle in college, and played his first season as a pro there too. Since that rookie year in 2022, Dallas have kicked Tyler Smith in to guard where he seems to have found a home.
In two seasons at the position Tyler Smith has been named a Pro Bowler twice, learning from one of the very best in the game in Zack Martin. So far so good for the 2022 first rounder.
2023 – Mazi Smith – 26th Overall
Things are still to be determined on 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith. It’s too early to call him a Cowboys draft bust, having played under two defensive coordinators in two seasons among other challenges.
Smith was encouraged to develop as a pass rusher his rookie year, which is far from his greatest playstyle. At 335 pounds he’s a stonewall run stuffer, and needs to be played as one.
Dallas may draft another defensive tackle or two in 2025, and perhaps a little competition will be good for the former Michigan Wolverine.
2024 – Tyler Guyton – 29th Overall
Tyler Guyton started his rookie year at left tackle with mixed results. It’s far too early to judge an offensive tackle on just one year.
Guyton needs time to develop, and he may just turn into the long term replacement for Tyron Smith on the left side of the line.
And that concludes the Dallas Cowboys draft hits and misses. There’s a LOT more hits than misses here, the Cowboys have used their first-round picks exceptionally well for the last 15 years. Who do they draft in 2025? Let us know.
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