Mel Kiper: Emmitt, Aikman Among Best Prospects Since 1979

Of course, Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman are both now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

ESPN’s NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper can’t spend all his time doing mock drafts, so this week, he published his ranking of the best offensive prospects going into the NFL since 1979. Two Dallas Cowboys made the cut.

Kiper ranked three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Troy Aikman No. 9 among quarterbacks and put running back Emmitt Smith on the “Next Best” running backs list. Former Cowboys receiver and goal post-dunking enthusiast Alvin Harper was on the “Next Best” list for receivers and tight ends.

Obviously based on their rankings, of the three, Aikman got the most love.

Great arm, and great, great accuracy,” Kiper said of Aikman, per the Dallas Morning News. “It can’t be underscored enough just how precise a passer Aikman was in the era in which he played. The NFL of today would make Aikman dominant, and he was very good for the era in which he played. People forget he transferred out of Oklahoma to find a better place to develop as a passer. A cinch for the No. 1 pick in 1989, and he went on to have a great career.”

It should be noted that this ranking was based strictly on what people thought of the players coming out of college. This explains why--in this ranking--another former Cowboys quarterback, Ryan Leaf, actually went higher than Aikman.

Stay on top of the latest Dallas Cowboys news with NBCDFW.com. Follow NBC DFW on Facebook or have breaking Cowboys news sent directly to your phone with Blue Star SMS alerts. Text "bluestar" to 622339 (NBCDFW) to subscribe, text HELP for more info, and text STOP to end the subscription. Message and data rates may apply.Read more about it here.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us