Our continuing series looking at the Top 10 Biggest Draft Successes Of The Jerry Jones Era rolls on with #8. The guidelines - Must have been drafted during Jerry Jones' era (1989 - present), and generally needs to be a player chosen in the 3rd round or later. Anybody above that was expected to succeed. It's not a list of the best players, but a list of the best value to the team, based on contributions and when they were drafted. Also, certain intangibles can be thrown into the mix.
8. Brock Marion (1993, 7th round, #196, S, Nevada-Reno)
This one is a little controversial to me, since much of Brock Marion's success was enjoyed by the Dolphins franchise and not the Cowboys. Still, he had some solid years in Dallas, and went on to a long career with three Pro Bowls to his credit. So while we didn't get to enjoy all of his success, it shows that it was a solid pick on draft day. Getting a player of Marion's quality in the 7th round should be considered a big success. Too bad he escaped to Miami as a free agent and the Cowboys didn't keep him.
His first two years in Dallas were as a backup, but was handed the starting safety position in 1995. In that first year as a starter he had six interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. For three years, interrupted by injury for part of the season in '96, Marion teamed with Darren Woodson to give the Cowboys an outstanding safety duo. In '97, his last year in Dallas, he was credited with 100 tackles for the season. A pretty amazing stat for a free safety.
He even managed to get in a few kickoff returns for the Cowboys, and was the Dolphins primary kick returner in 1999. It was in Miami that Marion saw much of his success. In 2000, 2002 and 2003 he made the Pro Bowl. In 2001, he returned an interception 100 yards for a TD.
His time in Dallas was too brief, but given where he was drafted, and the kind of player he turned out to be, we give him the #8 spot.
Miscellaneous stats: Had 31 INTs for his career and took three of them back for TDs. Returned 123 kicks for 2,951 yards.
OCC: Solid contributor in Dallas who went on to become a three time Pro Bowler with Miami
rabblerousr: He worked hard and developed himself into a Pro-Bowl caliber safety. Was always overshadowed (rightly so) by Darren Woodson, but he could play.
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