The best picks by round in cowboy history

Seven rounds. Doesn’t really seem like much when you consider NFL teams are trying to build 53-man rosters. However, these seven rounds, played over three days, have grown to be the second largest event on the annual league schedule.

Twenty-nine years ago was when the NFL went to the seven-round draft format. Prior to that, there were eight innings in 1993, a transitional period from 12 innings that occurred from 1977 to 1992. Going back further, 17 innings was the norm from 1967 to 1976 as the Cowboys originally had 20 innings to build their roster From first on the draft schedule in 1961 to 1966. Over the past 63 years, that’s a lot of rounds with a lot of players picked.

But who was the best? Ranking players is always a fun endeavor, so much so that handing out scores immediately after the NFL’s annual festivities has become an industry in itself. A silly effort, yes, but one we all love, nonetheless.

Still, those consistent scores over those endless innings raised a thought-provoking question: Who has been the greatest player Dallas has selected in every inning since 1961? For some of these, narrowing down the best was no easy task. To others, well, good luck finding anyone. Regardless, each round has its share of interesting substitutions and side notes.

With that said, here’s our best shot at A-plus selections in Cowboys history.