2018 – LB Leighton Vander Esch
2019 – 1st round pick traded for WR Amari Cooper
2020 – WR CeeDee Lamb
2021 – LB Micah Parsons
2022 – OT Tyler Smith
That is 5 1st round picks for 5 day 1 starters, if you include WR3 as a starter in 2020.
Overall, since 2018, here are the starters produced in each draft.
2018: LB Leighton Vander Esch*, OG Connor Williams, WR Michael Gallup, DE Dorance Armstrong, TE Dalton Schultz, QB Mike White (started 7 games for Jets)
2019: OG Connor McGovern, RB Tony Pollard*, CB Michael Jackson (started 17 games for Seattle last year), S Donovan Wilson
2020: WR CeeDee Lamb*, CB Trevon Diggs*, DT Neville Gallimore (started 9 games as a rookie), Tyler Biadasz*
2021: LB Micah Parsons*, DT Osa Odighizuwa,
2022: OT Tyler Smith
Obviously, the Cowboys were unwise to cut CB Michael Jackson since he never cleared waivers and has become a starter in Seattle. They could have used him last year. And Gallimore has regresssd since his rookie season. Even removing Jackson, White and Gallimore, the Cowboys have netted 14 starters (so far) from their last 5 drafts. And TE Jake Ferguson, LB Damone Clark and CB DaRon Bland are poised to become starters in 2023. Others like DB Israel Mukuamu and OG Matt Farniok are going to be given a chance to be starters soon.
Having said all that, looking at the Cowboys current roster, what are the positions with roster holes at which a rookie 1st round pick is most likely to be able to step in as a Day 1 starter for this team? That might be a hint at what players the Cowboys might be considering for their 1st overall pick on Thursday night next week.
* Indicates Pro Bowl selection
