Cowboys news thread

But Antonio Bryant, whom the Cowboys selected in the second round of the 2002 draft, remains the most productive receiver they have drafted since taking Jimmy Smith. And Smith was picked in '92. And he didn't become a Pro Bowler until after the Cowboys cut him.

In the 2003 draft, the first for Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells, the club had a tough decision to make early in the second round. While they were a bit surprised Jason Witten was still available and certainly interested in the Tennessee tight end, they felt they needed to address the center position first and hope for another tight end to be around in the later rounds.

So they drafted Wisconsin's Al Johnson with the 37th pick, but certainly kept a close eye on Witten, who surprisingly fell into the third round.

Just before the Cowboys got back on the clock with the 69th pick, the phone rang in the War Room. The 49ers were on the other end, hoping to make a trade to grab Witten. Problem was, they were one pick too late, because the Cowboys weren't passing on him a second time.

To say the Cowboys got a steal drafting Witten in the third round is an understatement. Yet to turn 24, Witten has already made two Pro Bowls and holds Cowboys records for single-season catches (87) and receiving yards (980).

Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio State. A standout run defender and strong cover man, Carpenter is the perfect counterpart for Ware in the 3-4.