Dallas Cowboys 2019 Draft: Re-grading the picks 4 year later

The final two picks for the Dallas Cowboys from the 2019 draft include a pair of selections who never made it onto the field.

Running Back Mike Weber figured to perhaps get his shot while waiting on the team’s practice squad, but that opportunity never came. Rather, his contract expired after the season’s end and he was not brought back.

Over the 2020 seasons Weber would be picked up, placed on a practice squad, released again, and so forth. He spent time with the Chiefs, Giants and Packers, but the moment just never came to suit up for a regular season game. He was a free agent in 2021 and 2022.

The Dallas Cowboys second pick in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft is a similar story to Weber, along with many other late day three selections.

Jalen Jelks was a relatively promising young player. He tested well at the combine, showing athleticism and had good size as well (6’5″ 256lbs).

Part of the issue was he began his rookie campaign on the IR. The Cowboys activated him in August of 2020 where he’d be cut after the preseason. On the same day the Cowboys claimed Jelks off waivers to return, he’d also be added to the NFL Exempt list and signed by the Carolina Panthers.

From there, life was short lived in any destination Jelks landed. He went from Carolina to Cleveland to Washington within a three month span. Washington placed him on IR during camp in 2021 and is currently a free agent.

DRAFT GRADE: D+

Not hitting on any seventh rounders shouldn’t be held against any team when figuring their overall draft grade. However, with no first round pick the team badly needed to hit on their first selection in the second round and that certainly did not happen. McGovern’s 2022 was solid, but the true saving grace to this draft fall on the gems Dallas found on day three with Pollard and Dono.

2019 OVERALL DRAFT GRADE: B-