The NFL's Top 50 Draft Classes of the Decade: No. 38 Dallas Cowboys, 2002

Team Achievements: 72-56, 4 playoff berths, Zero playoff wins during Williams' tenure.
The Cowboys' 2002 Selections: Roy Williams, S, Oklahoma (No.8)
Andre Gurode, C, Colorado (No. 37)
Antonio Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh (No. 63)
Derek Ross, CB, Ohio State (No. 75)
Jamar Martin, FB, Ohio State (No. 129)
Pete Hunter, CB, Virginia Union (No. 168)
Tyson Walter, C, Ohio State (No. 179)
Deveren Johnson, WR, Sacred Heart (No. 208)
Bob Slowikowski, TE, Virginia Tech (No. 211)

Class Accolades: Andre Gurode - 4 Pro Bowls, 6-year Cowboys' starter.
Roy Williams - All-Pro in 2003, 5 Pro Bowls, 19 interceptions, 9 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries, and 6.5 sacks during 7 seasons with Dallas.
Antonio Bryant - 99 receptions, 1,549 yards, and 8 touchdowns during 3-year stint in Dallas.
Derek Ross - 56 tackles, 5 interceptions in nine rookie starts.
Tyson Walter - 39 games played during 3 seasons in Dallas.
Pete Hunter - 3 interceptions during 3 seasons with Cowboys.

Overall Draft Analysis: Although the Cowboys' 2002 draft class lacked considerable depth, the team's top two selections impressively combined for nine Pro Bowls. The headhunting safety, Williams, garnered Pro Bowl selection in five out of six full seasons as a Cowboy, while emerging as the NFC's most prolific playmaker in the secondary. Ultimately, the team became increasingly frustrated with the Sooner safety's struggle in coverage and severed ties with Williams in 2008. In retrospect, Williams' digression and Ed Reed's subsequent selection, in 2002, slightly diminish the safety's overall value.

The Cowboys' centerpiece, Gurode, impressively concluded his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl season in Dallas in 2009. The sustained stability and production provided by Gurode, has allowed the team's unit to flourish, as arguably, the NFC's top offensive line. Antonio Bryant's disappointing performance during a three-year stint in Dallas, provoked the Cowboys to trade the former Biletnikoff recipient to the Browns for lackluster receiver, Quincy Morgan, in 2004. Frustrating matters further, Bryant has since reached 1,000+ receiving yards during two of the past four seasons.

The Cowboys' remaining '02 draft class delivered minimal return on investment. After a productive rookie season, Ross's attitude issues prompted the Parcells' regime to cut the third-round draft pick. Consequently, the once-promising corner was arrested for illegal drug charges in 2006, resulting in a four-year prison sentence. Walter and Hunter assumed limited roles, during three-year stints as Cowboys. In spite of the '02 draft class's disappointments, the collective contributions of Gurode and Williams, ultimately, allowed the Cowboys' to experience significant regular season success during the past decade.

The Cowboys' 'Perfect Draft' in Retrospect
(Keeping actual trades, only players of same position are eligible)
No. 8 - S Ed Reed, No. 37 - C Andre Gurode, No. 63 - Deion Branch, No. 75 - CB Dante Wesley, No. 129 - FB Rock Cartwright, No. 168 - CB DeMarcus Faggins, No. 179 - C Justin Hartwig, No. 208 - WR Ronald Curry.

References: All statistics and draft results as reflected on NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Associated Press. "Bryant out of Unhappy Spot, Dallas gets Morgan," http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1905409.
Associated Press. "Ross Charged with Trafficking Marijuana, http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2139270.