In the world of player acquisition, the NFL draft is king for the Cowboys. The team has largely bypassed free agency to focus on nailing its selection of draft prospects in late April.

To the surprise of many, the Cowboys have actually been one of the better drafting teams in recent years, which is the reason they're one of the league's youngest teams.

The biggest key to Dallas' success in the draft has been nailing the first round. Since 2010, only two of its nine picks can be labeled as misses (Morris Claiborne and Taco Charlton), though it may still be too early to call Charlton a miss. The seven others (Dez Bryant, Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Ezekiel Elliott, Byron Jones and Leighton Vander Esch) have been named to at least one All-Pro team.

Having said that, let's take a deeper dive into the Cowboys' recent classes to see just how successful they've been in those drafts:

2014

Draft class: Zack Martin (Round 1), DeMarcus Lawrence (Round 2), Anthony Hitchens (Round 4), Devin Street (Round 5), Ben Gardner (Round 7), Will Smith (Round 7), Ahmad Dixon (Round 7), Ken Bishop (Round 7), Terrance Mitchell (Round 7)

It's impossible to complain about the Cowboys' first two picks in the 2014 draft -- Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence have developed into integral members of the team and are among the best players at their respective positions.

Despite just being a five-year veteran, Martin leads all active offensive linemen in first-team All-Pro selections (three). Altogether, Martin has accumulated five Pro Bowl nominations and five All-Pro selections (three first-team, two second-team) in his five seasons, meaning he's been named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in each season since entering the NFL.

Zack Martin is pretty good at football IYAM pic.twitter.com/gDh2K4JrTj — John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 20, 2018

Martin has mastered the art of hand-fighting, consistently attaining superior hand placement against defenders at the point of attack. He does an excellent job of varying his set points to keep rushers off guard in pass protection, and his footwork consistently allows him to play with a proper base so he can generate the necessary power to uproot defenders at the point of attack. In run blocking, Martin consistently displaces defenders using a wide array of techniques. He excels in space and is adept at working to the second level to cut linebackers off.

Lawrence has two Pro Bowl nominations, a second-team All-Pro selection and two seasons of double-digit sacks under his belt. Lawrence is a top-10 edge defender in the NFL and one of the most technically refined pass rushers in the league.

Here are each of DeMarcus Lawrence's 8.5 sacks on the season. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/95yOowoxpH — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 4, 2018

Lawrence uses well-timed and accurate hands to batter and bludgeon blockers against the run and pass. Lawrence's hand usage is truly a sight to behold, as he consistently shows the ability to sequence moves together without hesitation to generate pressure as a pass rusher. Lawrence isn't a one-trick pony either, as he thrives against the run. Lawrence routinely displays fantastic effort, which is evidenced by his ability to chase down zone runs from the back side.

Lawrence is scheduled to become a free agent next month, but there's little chance the Cowboys let Lawrence walk.

After Martin and Lawrence, fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens should still be considered a successful pick even if he left for Kansas City last offseason. While in Dallas, Hitchens was extremely valuable in his ability to replace Sean Lee when the star linebacker was hurt.

Hitchens was never a great linebacker despite what his contract with the Chiefs may say, but he was tough and showed good enough instincts to be above average against the run. Hitchens always struggled in coverage, however, and it's probably the biggest reason Dallas made an effort to upgrade the linebacker position in the past despite having Hitchens.

Fifth-round pick Devin Street played two seasons with the Cowboys and recorded just nine receptions, which is about what you expect from a typical fifth-round pick.

Seventh-round picks are often referred to as lotto tickets, and Dallas struck out on all five in 2014. Terrance Mitchell has carved out the best career of the bunch, accumulating 18 starts and five interceptions in five seasons, but he only played three games (no starts) for the Cowboys. Ben Gardner, Will Smith, Ahmad Dixon and Ken Bishop have all washed out of the league.

All in all, it's impossible to draft two All-Pros in the first two rounds and not earn an "A." In any draft, the key is hitting on the early picks, with any late-round successes serving as the cherry on top.

GRADE : A

2015

Draft class: Byron Jones (Round 1), Randy Gregory (Round 2), Chaz Green (Round 3), Damien Wilson (Round 4), Ryan Russell (Round 5), Mark Nzeocha (Round 7), Laurence Gibson (Round 7), Geoff Swaim (Round 7)

Dallas' 2015 draft is a great example of the perils of evaluating classes too early. Heading into 2018, the 2015 class looked like a failure.

First-round pick Byron Jones was demoted to timeshare with Kavon Frazier at safety late in 2017. Second-round pick Randy Gregory missed the entire 2017 season and his NFL future was still murky, at best. Third-round pick Chaz Green was awful for most of 2017, leading to him being benched in favor of Byron Bell. Seventh-round pick Geoff Swaim looked promising but had posted just nine catches in three seasons.

Fast forward one year, and the 2015 draft actually appears to be a success -- though not to the same extent as 2014 or 2016.

On DLaw's 2nd sack, Matt Ryan wants to go deep to Julio Jones on the sluggo route. Byron Jones had other thoughts, as he covered the route perfectly.



🔒 pic.twitter.com/YERURLRz79 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 19, 2018

Jones switched from safety to right cornerback and thrived, as he was named a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro. His size, length and athleticism were maximized with Kris Richard designing the defenses in 2018, and Jones turned into a top-five corner as a result.

Randy Gregory's speed rush vs Jason Peters. Look at how he turns the corner after being pushed past the apex of the pocket. Whew pic.twitter.com/dsESWsf1Tg — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 11, 2018

Gregory became eligible and put together an extremely promising season, given the fact he had missed the better part of the two previous seasons. Gregory added some bulk, which allowed him to hang in the run game. As the season progressed, Gregory became more comfortable as a pass rusher, unleashing his considerable pass-rush gifts. Finishing with six sacks, Gregory's stock is trending up going into 2019.

Green was released by the Cowboys and has yet to really catch on elsewhere. His confidence seems shattered after giving up four sacks to then-Falcons pass rusher Adrian Clayborn in Week 10 of 2017. Green's hand timing and placement are poor, which lead to struggles as a pass and run blocker.

Fourth-round pick Damien Wilson has carved out a niche role on defense as the starting "SAM" linebacker and as a key special-teamer. It would not be surprising if Wilson departed for greener pastures this offseason, but for a fourth-round pick, he has to be deemed a success.

Swaim is another player who may depart this offseason but still should be deemed a success for the Cowboys draft-wise. Before injuries cut his 2018 season short, Swaim was the clear starter, contributing as a blocker and a receiver.

Fifth-round pick Ryan Russell never developed into the pass rusher Dallas wanted, leading to him being cut from the team in 2016. Seventh-rounder Mark Nzeocha never was able to make much of an impact in Dallas, but he has carved out a decent role in San Francisco on special teams. Laurence Gibson failed to stick with Dallas and that trend has continued since, as he has been cut by seven other teams.

Overall, it wasn't as successful as 2014 or 2016, but the Cowboys' 2015 draft should still be deemed a success, albeit a mild one. Jones has developed into a fantastic cornerback and Gregory seems primed for a double-digit-sack season in the future. Green was a big miss, but that's mitigated by the hits on Wilson and Swaim in the later rounds.

GRADE : B-

2016

Draft class: Ezekiel Elliott (Round 1), Jaylon Smith (Round 2), Maliek Collins (Round 3), Charles Tapper (Round 4), Dak Prescott (Round 4), Anthony Brown (Round 6), Kavon Frazier (Round 6), Darius Jackson (Round 6), Rico Gathers (Round 6)

Selecting a running back in the top five may not be the best allocation of draft resources, but Ezekiel Elliott has proven to be one of the most valuable players on the entire roster.

In three seasons, Elliott is a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro (one first-team, one second-team). Since entering the league, Elliott leads the NFL in rushing yards (4,048) and is second in touchdowns (28). Moreover, Elliott is the only running back in the NFL to average more than 100 rushing yards per game (101.2) since 2016. Making matters worse for opposing defenses, the Cowboys are finally figuring out how to use Elliott more in the passing game, as he recorded a career-high 77 catches for 567 yards and three receiving touchdowns last season.

Though he's had some issues off the field, Elliott has exceeded expectations on it, which is tough to do as the fourth overall pick.

After missing the entire 2016 season and struggling through 2017, Jaylon Smith looked completely healthy in 2018, quieting concerns that he'd never heal to the point of being able to become a competent player.

Jaylon Smith is a downhill thumper with the ability to make plays like this. He's a rare talent and only should get better moving forward. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/Vm7qeNXD7B — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 31, 2018

Manning the "MIKE" linebacker position, Smith was outstanding in his first full year as a starter. At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Smith is a downfield thumper who can blow up blockers and ball-carriers alike. Smith still struggles at times in coverage, but his athleticism allows him to accomplish uncommon feats against the pass. Accumulating 121 tackles in 2018, the sky is truly the limit for Smith in the Cowboys' defense.

Third-rounder Maliek Collins has yet to develop into the stud under tackle many hoped he would become, but he's certainly not a bust, having shown major development in his run-stopping ability while showing the capacity to generate pressure from the interior on occasion (10.5 career sacks).

Fourth-round pick Dak Prescott is the crown jewel of the 2016 class because it's extremely rare to find a starting-caliber quarterback in the fourth round. He's not perfect and certainly needs development in key areas -- footwork being the most important -- but he's tough, athletic and possesses all the intangibles necessary to be a star quarterback. In three seasons, he has led the Cowboys to three winning seasons, two playoff berths and a playoff win.

Nice job by Dak of identifying the blitz and knowing where to go to beat it. Targeting @Bease11 against off coverage on 3rd down is always a good decision. Easy money. pic.twitter.com/Or7Zwcaztr — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 31, 2018

With a large contract extension looming, all signs point toward Prescott being the quarterback of the future for the Cowboys. Finding him in the fourth round not only was the best pick of the Cowboys' class -- it might have been the best pick of the entire 2016 draft, period.

The hits keep coming for the Cowboys in the 2016 class, as sixth-rounder Anthony Brown proved to be one of the better slot cornerbacks in football last season.

DLaw hits his patented cross-chop apply pressure on Wentz while Anthony Brown plays Golden Tate perfectly from off coverage. Can't be many slot CBs playing better than Brown right now. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/p9OBtBekAd — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 10, 2018

Though he was supposed to battle Jourdan Lewis for the starting slot job in 2018, Brown never even gave Lewis a chance to contend for it, routinely providing tight coverage and good run support.

Kavon Frazier has been excellent, considering he was a sixth-round pick. He's been one of Dallas' best special-teamers while providing a physical presence on defense when given the opportunity, especially in 2017.

The two other sixth-round picks -- Rico Gathers and Darius Jackson -- have yet to make discernible impacts on the field, but both were active for the Cowboys down the stretch in 2018. Gathers has been the team's pet project at tight end while Jackson bounced around the league before ending up back in Dallas last season.

The Cowboys hit this draft out of the park, plain and simple. Even if you believe it's incredibly unwise to spend a top-five pick on a running back, it's tough to find anything else in this draft class to critique.

GRADE : A+

2017

Draft class: Taco Charlton (Round 1), Chidobe Awuzie (Round 2), Jourdan Lewis (Round 3), Ryan Switzer (Round 4), Xavier Woods (Round 6), Marquez White (Round 6), Joey Ivie (Round 7), Noah Brown (Round 7), Jordan Carrell (Round 7)

This is where things start to get tricky because enough time hasn't passed to accurately grade the draft classes of 2017 and especially 2018. Having said that, we will try to grade these classes to the best of our abilities.

While it may be early to label Taco Charlton a bust, it's impossible to ignore that he's failed to live up to his first-round billing so far. Charlton needs to continue to get stronger while improving his ability to play with proper technique and expand his pass-rush repertoire.

Chidobe Awuzie hasn't been perfect, but he looks like a promising talent at cornerback. He experienced some growing pains in 2018 but was arguably the team's best cornerback at times down the stretch.

Chidobe Awuzie blankets the stutter-n-go. Stays attached to Shepard's hip and squeezes him to the sideline. Awuzie has quietly been DALs best CB the last two weeks pic.twitter.com/s4hGpU6eDI — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 31, 2018

Awuzie is sticky in man coverage, showing the athleticism and physicality necessary to limit separation, and shows well in zone coverage. However, he needs to improve his ball skills at the catch point.

#DallasCowboys coaching staff utilized CB Jourdan Lewis 15% of snaps



Subbed in for Leighton Vander Esch on obvious passing downs to cover Alvin Kamara - THE #2 option in #Saints passing game (20% of tgts)



Paid off huge w/ INT last drive and this near INT on 1st drive pic.twitter.com/g8T0nyr0wW — Context Matters (@dwainmcfarland) November 30, 2018

Jourdan Lewis looked like a starting cornerback of the future in 2017, but Richard's hiring and propensity for bigger cornerbacks has forced him into the No. 4 cornerback role. Despite the demotion, he was able to find a niche role. Lewis was one of the main reasons the Cowboys were able to slow Saints running back Alvin Kamara down in Week 13.

Ryan Switzer was traded for Jihad Ward last offseason and didn't make much of an impact his rookie year.

Cowboys in Cover 1: Xavier Woods shows off impressive range. Beautiful play from the rook. Hard to beat DAL deep with XW playing single-high pic.twitter.com/ucQuIvyhHO — John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 24, 2017

Sixth-round pick Xavier Woods may be the best value of the class, as he's developed into a promising starting safety. He still struggles with his tackling at time, but Woods has become the Cowboys' best safety in coverage by far, showing impressive range from the deep middle. For Woods to take the next step, he must become a surer tackler while creating more turnover opportunities.

The other sixth-round pick, Marquez White, has washed out of the league and is currently signed to play for the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football.

You guys and gals like pancakes with your breakfast?!?!? Noah Brown embeds Michael Thomas' back in the turf with his block to help Rod Smith get the 1st down. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/mpmy6dVpWD — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 31, 2018

Seventh-round pick Noah Brown has carved out a nice role on offense as pseudo tight end who is primarily used as a run blocker.

The two other seventh-round picks -- Joey Ivie and Jordan Carrell -- failed to make the Cowboys' roster.

Overall, it's a mixed bag so far for Dallas' 2017 draft. Charlton has been a miss, but Awuzie and Woods appear to have promising futures with the club. Lewis has the talent to last but just isn't a fit for Richard's defense. It would not be surprising to see Lewis go on to find more success on another team.

Still, the first-round pick is most important, and Charlton has failed to live up to that billing so far, lowering the grade on this class.

GRADE : C+

2018

Draft class: Leighton Vander Esch (Round 1), Connor Williams (Round 2), Michael Gallup (Round 3), Dorance Armstrong (Round 4), Dalton Schultz (Round 4), Mike White (Round 5), Chris Covington (Round 6), Cedrick Wilson (Round 6), Bo Scarbrough (Round 7)

Though many were unhappy with the pick when it was revealed, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was a fantastic selection for the Cowboys in the first round, earning second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie last season.

LVE is the only defender who reads the end-around, and he's the guy who makes the play. Great job of playing off Jake Matthews' block to make the tackle. Uses his length well to create the separation necessary for him to disengage and make the tackle. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/9POqv7haC6 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 19, 2018

Not only was Vander Esch one of the best rookie linebackers in the NFL, he was also one of the best linebackers in the league, period. Vander Esch's sound fundamentals set the table for him to succeed in almost any situation. He's fantastic against the run and ever-improving against the pass.

Here are some of #DallasCowboys LG Connor Williams' best blocks through 2018. pic.twitter.com/YhdmnCM1G9 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 1, 2018

In a lot of ways, second-round pick Connor Williams was doomed the moment it became apparent Travis Frederick was going to miss 2018 with an autoimmune disease. With Joe Looney to his right instead of Frederick, Williams' strength issues were magnified. Still, Williams played better than most fans think, and he has an encouraging future ahead of him.

Michael Gallup proved to be a nice value in the third round as he became Dallas' best deep threat. Gallup improved steadily over the course of the season, hauling in 33 catches for 507 yards and two touchdowns. He still needs to improve in the finer details of route-running, like route pacing, but Gallup should only get better under the watchful eye of receivers coach Sanjay Lal.

Another fantastic block from Dalton Schultz. Here he pins Al-Quadin Muhammad inside on the base block. Gives Rod Smith the ability to bounce outside. pic.twitter.com/MexnFnqV0j — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 18, 2018

He started slow, but fourth-round pick Dalton Schultz played really well toward the end of the season, especially as a blocker. The other fourth-round pick, Dorance Armstrong, had a quiet rookie season and will likely need to show some development in 2019 if he wants to stick around in 2020.

Fifth-round pick Mike White showed some good things in the preseason, but fortunately, he didn't have to take a snap during the regular season. He will likely compete with Cooper Rush for the backup quarterback spot in training camp this year.

Sixth-round pick Chris Covington was only active for five games, but he appears to be linebackers coach Ben Bloom's developmental project. Look for his role to increase in 2019 with Damien Wilson likely departing in free agency.

Cedrick Wilson, another sixth-rounder, spent the entire season on injured reserve but could carve out a role on the offense moving forward.

Seventh-rounder Bo Scarbrough couldn't keep his spot on Dallas' practice squad, leading to him bouncing from the Jaguars to the Seahawks.

Overall, it's still way too early to assign a definitive grade to Dallas' 2018 draft, but things certainly look promising.

GRADE : B+

Twitter: @JohnOwning