5 biggest NFL Draft steals in Dallas Cowboys history ft. Jason Witten

The Dallas Cowboys have fared well when selecting high up in the NFL Draft, with studs such as Troy Aikman and Ezekiel Elliott helping transform the franchise after being picked in the top 10 of their respective drafts.

However, this doesn't mean Dallas' scouting team doesn't know how to draft further down the pecking order and find gems in the later rounds. The team has a knack of finding steals throughout history, and here are five of their biggest ever NFL Draft steals.

Dallas Cowboys biggest NFL Draft steals

#5 DeMarco Murray

Divisional Playoffs - DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys v Green Bay Packers

Running back DeMarco Murray was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and the Oklahoma Sooners star wasted no time in leaving his mark on the team.

He averaged 5.5 YPC during his rookie year, but his true breakout campaign came in 2014. The player led the league in yards (1,845) and touchdowns (13), as he established himself among the best backs in the NFL.

Murray won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 for his exploits and retired in 2018 ending his career with an All-Pro nod and three Pro Bowls.

#4 Marion Barber

Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber v Washington Redskins

Another running back the Cowboys hit on was Marion Barber, who they drafted in round 4 of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Barber may have only been a starter in Dallas for a couple of years, but he made the most of his limited opportunities, rushing for 53 touchdowns in just 42 career starts. He was voted to the 2007 Pro Bowl after totalling a career-best 10 touchdowns on the year.

Barber tragically died from a stroke in 2022, at the age of 38.

Dallas Cowboys biggest NFL Draft steals

#3 Tony Pollard

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard

The final running back to feature on this list is current starter Tony Pollard, who was selected in round four of the 2019 NFL Draft and played second-fiddle behind Ezekiel Elliott up until the 2022 season.

Last year, however, he exploded, setting career bests in attempts (193), rushing yards (1,007) and touchdowns (12). Pollard will head into 2023 as the Cowboys' RB1, after Elliott was released at the end of last season.

#2 Jason Witten

Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys

One of the best tight ends in NFL history, Jason Witten, fell to the Dallas Cowboys in round three of the 2003 NFL Draft. He would go on to have a historic career, linking up seamlessly with quarterback Tony Romo.

Witten has clocked up 13,046 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns during his 17-year career. He was voted All-Pro on four occasions and made it to 11 Pro Bowls before retiring with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.

#1 Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Franchise quarterbacks in the NFL are rare, and what's even rarer is finding one in the fourth round of the draft. That's exactly what the Cowboys did in 2016 however, as they drafted Dak Prescott out of Mississippi State with the 135th overall pick.

Prescott was thrust into the starting role immediately after an injury to Tony Romo, one which would end his career. Prescott has been the undisputed starter for Dallas ever since, and has been voted to two Pro Bowls and passed for 166 touchdowns.