Of the Dallas Cowboys’ nine draft picks, nine came from big schools.
According to assistant director of player personnel Will McClay, who just wrapped up his first draft under that title, this was by design. McClay and the Cowboys reasoning was that players from larger programs will more readily adapt to the bright lights that come with being in the NFL--and beyond that, on the Cowboys.
“I think it was important for us to say, ‘if we’re trying to build this thing and get to a point where we can win now, who has been able to handle the pressure of a big time program?’” McClay said, per the Dallas Morning News. “‘Who will most likely be able to come into a situation like the Dallas Cowboys and the microscope that we’re under with all the games we play on national TV, and not, pardon the expression, pee their pants?’
“We want grown men that are able to handle the situation.”
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