This Miserable List Of Draft Picks Explains Why The Cowboys Are So Bad

Unlike most owners, Jones picks his players himself and is responsible for personnel moves.

This is well within his rights. But when you look at the franchise's issues, the relative lack of talent and depth across the roster is the biggest reason why they're mediocre.

And that comes back to drafting - something Jones has struggled at in recent years.

Between 2008 and 2012 the Cowboys drafted 39 players. Only 12 of those players are still on the roster. Twenty-one of the 24 players taken in 2008, 2009, and 2010 drafts are now either on different NFL teams or out of the league entirely.

The only real home runs were Dez Bryant and, to a lesser extent, DeMarco Murray.

The Cowboys' problems start at the top, and their poor draft history is a prime example of that.

Here's the list of picks between 2008 and 2012 (current Cowboys players in bold):

• Felix Jones, running back (2008 1st-round pick): Started 23 games in five years with Dallas. Now on the Steelers.
• Mike Jenkins, cornerback (2008 1st-round pick): Started between 2009 and 2011, benched in 2012. Now on the Raiders.
• Martellus Bennett, tight end (2008 2nd-round pick): Declared a "bust" by the Cowboys before thriving in New York and Chicago in 2012 and 2013.
• Tashard Choice, running back (2008 4th-round pick): Started four games in four years with the Cowboys before getting cut in 2011.
• Orlando Scandrick, cornerback (2008 5th-round pick): Worked his way up the depth chart. Just got a $9 million contract extension to stay in Dallas.
• Erik Walden, linebacker (2008 6th-round pick): Cut after training camp in 2008, has bounced around the league ever since.
• Jason Williams, linebacker (2009 3rd-round pick): Cut during the 2010 season after making five tackles in 10 games.
• Robert Brewster, offensive tackle (2009 3rd-round pick): Cut in 2010.
• Stephen McGee, quarterback (2009 4th-round pick): Appeared in three games in 2010 and 2011 before getting cut.
• Victor Butler, linebacker (2009 4th-round pick): Started two games in four years before signing with New Orleans in 2013.
• Brandon Williams, defensive end (2009 4th-round pick): Played six games in 2010 before being cut.
• DeAngelo Smith, cornerback (2009 5th-round pick): Cut during training camp in 2009.
• Michael Hamlin, safety (2009 5th-round pick): Cut in 2010 after playing on special teams for a year.
• David Buehler, kicker (2009 5th-round pick): Currently a free agent after making just 75% of his kicks in 2010.
• Stephen Hodge, safety (2009 6th-round pick): Cut in 2010 after being plagued by injuries.
• John Phillips, tight end (2009 6th-round pick): Signed with the Chargers after catching 30 balls in three years for Dallas.
• Mike Mickens, cornerback (2009 7th-round pick): Cut during training camp.
• Manuel Johnson, wide receiver (2009 7th-round pick): Cut in 2011.
• Dez Bryant, wide receiver (2010 1st-round pick): One of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
• Sean Lee, linebacker (2010 2nd-round pick): Has missed 14 games due to injury, but started every game in which he was healthy since 2011.
• Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, safety (2010 4th-round pick): Cut in 2011, never had a catch.
• Sam Young, offensive tackle (2010 6th-round pick): Cut in 2011, has played for the Bills and Jaguars since.
• Jamar Wall, cornerback (2010 6th-round pick): Cut during training camp.
• Sean Lissemore, defensive tackle (2010 7th-round pick): Started six games in three seasons for Dallas. Now on the Chargers.
• Tyron Smith, offensive tackle (2011 1st-round pick): Has started every game since he was drafted.
• Bruce Carter, linebacker (2011 2nd-round pick): Benched in 2013 after starting most games since 2012.
• DeMarco Murray, running back (2011 3rd-round pick): Has been slowed by injuries, but effective when he's healthy.
• David Arkin, guard (2011 4th-round pick): Cut in 2013.
• Josh Thomas, cornerback (2011 5th-round pick): Cut in 2011.
• Dwyane Harris, wide receiver (2011 6th-round pick): Worked his way into the starting lineup in 2013.
• Shaun Chapas, fullback (2011 7th-round pick): Cut in 2011, now with the Jaguars.
• Bill Nagy, center (2011 7th-round pick): Cut in 2011.
• Morris Claiborne, cornerback (2012 1st-round pick): Has been a disappointment after Dallas traded up to get him.
• Tyrone Crawford, defensive end (2012 3rd-round pick): Missed all of 2013 due to injury after seeing limited action in 2012.
• Kyle Wilber, linebacker (2012 4th-round pick): Has seen more playing time in 2013 after finding a niche at outside linebacker.
• Matt Johnson, safety (2012 4th-round pick): Still on the roster, but hasn't played a game.
• Danny Coale, wide receiver (2012 5th-round pick): Cut in 2013 after playing on the practice squad.
• James Hanna, tight end (2012 6th-round pick): Has 20 catches in 30 games as the back-up tight end.
• Caleb McSurdy, linebacker (2012 7th-round pick): Cut during 2013 training camp.