Draft Rewind: Dallas misses chance to add third All-Pro to 2010 class

2010 Dallas Draft Class:

RD 1, Pick 24 – Dez Bryant, WR

RD 2, Pick 55 – Sean Lee, LB

RD 4, Pick 126 – Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, DB

RD 6, Pick 179 – Sam Young, T

RD 6, Pick 196 – Jamar Wall, CB

RD 7, Pick 234 – Sean Lissemore, DT

Mel Kiper’s Draft Grade: B-

“The question for Dallas fans shouldn’t be about the talent of the players the Cowboys picked up early. The Boys traded up for Dez Bryant — in that case, they slipped in just ahead of Baltimore, where Bryant would have been a huge score — and did the same for Sean Lee, a likely replacement at some point for Keith Brooking. But unless they do something in the interim, the Cowboys will head into camp with Doug Free as the best-left tackle on the roster, and although the team likes Free’s potential, Tony Romo’s blindside protection is still a concern. Getting Akwasi Owusu-Ansah in Round 4 I liked. He could make the transition to safety.” – Mel Kiper

It’s always easier to look back on a draft 10 years later and point out what the Cowboys could have done better to strengthen their team.

Dallas was coming off of its second division title in three years and its first playoff victory this century. They also sent nine players to the Pro Bowl (Miles Austin WR; Leonard Davis G; Andre Gurode C; Mike Jenkins CB; Terence Newman CB; Jay Ratliff DT; Tony Romo QB; DeMarcus Ware LB; Jason Witten TE).

They eventually added to that list when they drafted a supremely talented Dez Bryant in the first round. Sean Lee was also graded a first-round talent but slipped to the second due to injury concerns.

Looking back on various drafting platforms, most were in agreement the Cowboys had one overarching need – Offensive Tackle. They did draft one in Sam Young, who was only active for two games his rookie season before being let go from the team the following offseason.

And not to bury the lead, but this was the season where Tony Romo suffered the first major injury that caused him to miss the last 10 games of the season. It got Wade Phillips fired and began a 9.5-year tenure under Jason Garrett.

Ironically, the season-ending hit did come from the left side of the line where most felt that was the team’s weakness. However, it was Tyler Clutts who missed the pivotal block.

Earlier in that draft, Dallas selected Akwasi Owusu-Ansah who’s 6’0”, 207-pound frame led Dallas to take him in the fourth round – seven picks in front of Kam Chancellor who was the next defensive back taken.

Owusu-Ansah was active for just 10 games for Dallas, contributing mostly on special teams than defense. He was drafted in hopes he could help man the secondary with safeties Ken Hamlin and Gerald Sensabaugh.

He only appeared in three games his sophomore year as the Cowboys saw more production in 2010 undrafted free agents Danny McCray and Barry Church.

Jamar Wall, the Cowboys sixth-round pick, didn’t make the final 53-man roster, while Sean Lissemore turned in a solid three seasons with Dallas – playing in 28 games and recording 36 tackles with 3.5 sacks.

He signed a three year, six-million dollar contract with the Chargers in 2013 where he played in 41 games for them and recorded 42 tackles and three sacks.

Final Grade: B

Reasoning: Though the team could have added Kam Chancellor to their roster, they still were able to draft a pair of All-Pros who was arguably the best at their position at one point. Sean Lissemore was also a serviceable starter while with the team.