The curtain goes up on Thursday night for the Dallas Cowboys and a large handful of the NFL’s 32 teams. This is an interesting draft year, as several teams have bailed on the first round in favor of veteran acquisitions, leaving six teams with multiple first-round picks this year.
The New York Jets, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs all have Top 10 picks and second selections later in the round. The Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys join the club soon after, with Dallas set to select their first player at No. 12 overall. It’s a position they’ve been in four times before.
Although the edict that those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it is a strong life tenet, it doesn’t necessarily mean that what comes next is pre-ordained. Still, it’s fun to look back and taking a glance at how the Cowboys have managed their draft capital when in a similar position.
To wit, the Cowboys have been very, very good at picking in the No. 12 slot.
1987: 1.12 DT Danny Noonan
The Cowboys finished the 1986 season with a record of 7-9, and selected defensive lineman Danny Noonan out of Nebraska. Noonan had an elongated holdout, and was eventually moved inside from end to tackle. He had 7.5 sacks his second year (career high) and ended up playing for Dallas into the 1992 season, when he was released to make room on the roster for Russell Maryland.
1991: 1.12 WR Alvin Harper
The Cowboys finished with a 7-9 record again in 1990, though whereas the 1986 mark was a sign of decline, Dallas was in the middle of establishing their great dynasty. Harper emerged out of Tennessee to be the WR2 opposite Michael Irvin and helped round out the passing game for the club. Harper will always be remembered for his 70-yard slant and run against the San Fran 49ers in the 1992 NFC Championship game.
A true deep threat, he lead the NFL in yards per reception in 1994 at a whopping 24.9, but that was his final season in Dallas before he moved on to Tampa Bay in free agency.
2021: 1.12 DE Micah Parsons
The Cowboys finished 2020 with a 6-10 record, but traded down from the No. 10 slot to No. 12 to pick up an extra third-rounder.
Because of the COVID year of 2020, fans didn’t know what they should’ve expected when the club drafted Parsons. He was primarily an off-ball linebacker in the 2019 season at Penn State, and many thought the Cowboys overdrafted the player because that position isn’t as valuable as others. The front office nailed the projection and he was by far the best edge rusher in the draft. He set an NFL record for sacks in his first four years out of college, 52.5. Parsons finished Top-3 in defensive player of the year honors each of his first three seasons, with two First-Team (and one Second-Team) All-Pro nods.
Famously, a contract dispute ended his Dallas career after just four seasons, and he’s now in Green Bay.
2025: 1.12 RG Tyler Booker
The Cowboys finished 7-10 in 2024, and ended up with the No. 12 pick to select the Alabama offensive guard. While some had issue with selecting an interior lineman so high, it looks like it was a strong pick as Booker had an impressive rookie year. After the retirement of right guard Zack Martin, the club needed a vocal leader to galvanize the rest of a young unit, and Booker fits that role with precision.
He logged over 1,000 snaps as a rookie and had a PFF run-blocking grade of 76.8, second best on a team that had a 1,200-yard rusher. He has some work to do in pass protection, but he wasn’t a flag magnet as a rookie, indicative of his solid technique. Booker will likely be on the All-Rookie team; Dallas is certainly happy with their selection.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 4 in a row? Cowboys have nailed the No. 12 pick over past draft years
Reporting by K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
