NFL Draft grades 2015: Cowboys’ class hinges on 2nd-round gamble

When people talk about the Cowboys' dramatic turnaround in 2014, the first thing mentioned is DeMarco Murray's historic rushing season. But somewhat lost in that discussion is the first-round selection of offensive lineman Zack Martin, who stepped into a starting role and helped pave the way for Murray's breakout campaign.

Throw in the second-round selection of DeMarcus Lawrence -- who provided a replacement for DeMarcus Ware and bagged a pair of sacks during the Cowboys' two playoff games -- and Dallas' 2014 haul is the perfect example of how wins at the top of the draft can translate into immediate results in the tumultuous NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas' draft will be defined by the trajectory of troubled pass rusher Randy Gregory, a top-10 talent who slid to the second round after testing positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine. If the Cowboys can stabilize him off the field -- they've committed to providing him with a personal handler and security detail -- Gregory could join Lawrence and (eventually) Greg Hardy to form one of the best pass rushing attacks in the league. Snagging Byron Jones with the No. 27 overall pick fills a need at corner and Chaz Green's third-round selection gives the team an embarrassment of riches on the offensive line.

But the Cowboys lose points for failing to address the running back position. With Adrian Peterson trade talks reportedly dead, Jerry Jones is leaning far too heavily on the fragile lower body of Darren McFadden.

Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly couldn't get the quarterback he wanted (he reportedly would have probably put his own mother on the trade block if it meant landing Marcus Mariota), so instead he went out and got a weapon for the quarterback he's stuck with. First-round receiver Nelson Agholor should help ease Sam Bradford's transition in Philly and provides an immediate replacement for Jeremy Maclin. The Eagles also made it a point to upgrade their awful secondary, grabbing versatile Utah safety Eric Rowe in the second round and adding cornerbacks JaCorey Shepherd and Randall Evans in the sixth.

New York Giants

Ereck Flowers is a mauling run blocker who will help upgrade the rushing attack, but he has question marks as a pass blocker and few had him graded as a top-10 pick. But the Giants made up ground in the second and third rounds, grabbing hard-hitting Alabama safety Landon Collins and versatile UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa. If Collins can develop his pass coverage skills to match his run-stopping ability, he might be the steal of the draft.

New GM Scot McCloughan walked in the front door and announced he's going to do the same thing that made him successful with the 49ers and Seahawks: commit to a pounding run game. Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff certainly wasn't a sexy pick (and might have been a mild reach) at No. 5 overall, but he's big, physical and can fit into either tackle positions or the guard spot. Mauling Alabama offensive guard Ari Kouandjio will help beef up the interior and 6'2, 231-pound Florida running back Matt Jones will be an ideal compliment to Alfred Morris.