How the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie class fared
The Cowboys had nine rookies play, and they started a combined 23 games. Six of those nine rookies were draft picks.
DB Byron Jones
College: Connecticut
How acquired: Drafted in 1st round
He started seven games at safety and four at corner in what should earn him all-rookie consideration.
DE Randy Gregory
College: Nebraska
How acquired: Drafted in 2nd round
He had a high-ankle sprain in the season opener and had no sacks in 12 games.
OT Chaz Green
College: Florida
How acquired: Drafted in 3rd round
He had hip surgery that delayed his development, never playing a down.
LB Damien Wilson
College: Minnesota
How acquired: Drafted in 4th round
He played 32 defensive snaps, and gave up the game-winning touchdown in Cowboys’ overtime loss at New Orleans.
LB Mark Nzeocha
College: Wyoming
How acquired: Drafted in 7th round
It was mostly a redshirt season as he rehabbed from a major knee injury, but he played in two games.
TE Geoff Swaim
College: Texas
How acquired: Drafted in 7th round
He played four games and 23 offensive snaps this season.
G La’el Collins
College: LSU
How acquired: Free agent
He fell into the Cowboys’ lap, and ended up starting 11 games, with two holding penalties and no sacks allowed.
DL David Irving
College: Iowa State
How acquired: Free agent
He blocked a field goal and had half a sack.
QB Jameill Showers
College: UT El Paso
How acquired: Free agent
The Cowboys moved him up from the practice squad for the final two games, but he was inactive.
RB Rod Smith
College: Ohio State
How acquired: Free agent
The Cowboys claimed him off waivers Oct. 14, and he played only 21 snaps on offense. But he became a core special teams player.
WR Lucky Whitehead
College: Florida Atlantic
How acquired: Free agent
He had 123 yards from scrimmage and averaged 5.8 yards on punt returns and 28.3 yards on kickoff returns.
This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 7:35 PM with the headline "How the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie class fared."