While all teams are in need of talent, don't forget the Cowboys have plenty of first-round picks, both from their own drafting or acquiring players from other teams.
Obviously, just being a first-round pick doesn't guarantee success. Just like being a late-round or undrafted player doesn't prevent them from shining. Looking at the roster, the one area that has produced the most players is 'undrafted' which has 14 players on the roster. But next is the first round, where we've seen 13 players from Jadeveon Clowney to Tyler Booker.
Here's a list of all 13 first-round picks currently with the Cowboys from the roster to injured reserve.
While all teams are in need of talent, don't forget the Cowboys have plenty of first-round picks, both from their own drafting or acquiring players from other teams. Here's a list of all 13 on the roster.
Jadeveon Clowney, No. 1 overall - Houston (2014)
Clowney began his NFL career in Houston as the No. 1 pick out of South Carolina.
Playing alongside J.J. Watt. Clowney spent five full years with the Texans but has since bounced around the league.
When he signed with the Cowboys this year, it's his seventh NFL team as he plays his 12th pro season.
Dante Fowler, No. 3 overall, Jacksonville, 2015
Fowler was supposed to be a big-time addition for the Jaguars, but a knee injury early in the offseason of his rookie year slowed down his process.
Fowler spent three years with the Jags and eventually started his journeyman adventures, playing for four other teams, including now two stops with the Cowboys.
Kenny Clark, 27th overall, Green Bay, 2016
The Packers added Clark late in the first-round and he proved to be one of their best defensive players for nearly a decade.
Clark was the "other" player involved in the Micah Parsons trade, being sent to Dallas just before the start of the season.
In this pic, Clark is riding a bike before a training camp practice for the Packers, a tradition in Green Bay.
Solomon Thomas, No. 3 overall, San Francisco, 2017
Thomas spent four years with the 49ers before a quick stop with the Raiders, followed by there years with the Jets.
Thomas signed with the Cowboys, his hometown team growing up as he went to nearby Coppell High School, a place the Cowboys used to practice at times when the headquarters was at Valley Ranch.
Malik Hooker, 15th overall, Indianapolis, 2017
Hooker had an injury-riddled four years with the Colts and has now spent more time in Dallas, as he is playing his fifth season.
Currently on IR with a toe injury, Hooker has played 68 games in Dallas, to just 36 with the Colts.
Indianapolis Colts first round draft pick Malik Hooker responds to a question during an NFL football news conference Friday, April 28, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
CeeDee Lamb, 17th overall, Cowboys, 2020
In one of the more unusual drafts of all-time, 2020 presented its own set of challenges. But while the Cowboys might have been drafted on a yacht, they still jumped at the chance to grab talent that fell in their lap.
CeeDee Lamb wasn't supposed to be around at No. 17 but there he was when the Cowboys picked. They made sure and drafted him and haven't regretted it at all. Lamb is currently in the Top 5 in Cowboys history in both catches and yards.
In his pic, Lamb has yet to earn "The Star" on his helmet as he participated in a training camp practice at The Star.
Kenneth Murray, 23rd overall, Chargers, 2020
Not long after the Cowboys took CeeDee Lamb with the first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, his college teammate at OU went off the board as well.
Murray, a standout for the Sooners, was picked by the Chargers 23rd overall. He made an immediate impact, totaling 106 tackles during his 2020 rookie season.
Payton Turner, 28th overall, Saints, 2021
The Saints were looking for a defensive impact player later in the first round when they grabbed Payton Turner with the 28th pick.
Turner, a standout for the University of Houston, never made a big splash for the Saints, suffering a few injuries during his first three years in New Orleans.
The Cowboys added him in free agency this year but he's been on injured reserve since training camp.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner walks on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina PanthersSunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Kaiir Elam, 23rd overall, Bills, 2022
The Bills grabbed Elam off the board, adding a cornerback with coverage skills and some NFL bloodlines.
Elam is the son of former NFL safety Abram Elam, who played two years with the Cowboys from 2006-07.
Kaiir Elam spent four years with the Bills before being traded to the Cowboys this offseason.
Tyler Smith, 24th overall, Cowboys, 2022
Tyler Smith poses at midfield of Ford Center in Frisco the day following the NFL Draft.
Smith was the first offensive linemen the Cowboys drafted in the first round since taking Zack Martin in 2014.
Mazi Smith, 26th overall, Cowboys, 2023
Mazi Smith and Jerry Jones at the introductory press conference to introduce the defnisve tackle.
Smith was the first Cowboys defensive tackle taken in the first round in 32 years. The previous was Russell Maryland, the No. 1 pick in 1991.
Tyler Guyton, 29th overall, Cowboys, 2024
Dallas Cowboys first-round draft pick Tyler Guyton poses for a photo at an NFL football news conference in Frisco.
Tyler Booker, 12th overall, Cowboys, 2025
For the third time in four years, the Cowboys not only took another offensive linemen in the first round, but one named Tyler.
But Tyler Booker was the highest among the "Tylers" joining Smith and Guyton.
The 12th overall pick was the highest the Cowboys drafted an offensive linemen since Tyron Smith (9th) in 2011.
labama offensive lineman Tyler Booker is selected 12th overall by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the 2025 NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
