Fansided

Jerry Jones ‘in his gear’ with recent draft class

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 11, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is honored along with his teammates from the 1964 team prior to the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is honored along with his teammates from the 1964 team prior to the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys hauled in a terrific draft class thanks to Jerry Jones.

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It’s hard to argue against the Dallas Cowboys having the best draft class of any team in the NFL in 2015. Despite not picking until 27th overall, the Cowboys managed to add three first-round talents in Byron Jones, Randy Gregory and La’el Collins.

One AFC personnel man wasn’t surprised that Gregory and Collins ended up with the Cowboys, suggesting that’s just how Jerry Jones operates, reports Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports.

"“It figured he’d end up there,” the personnel man said with a tinge of annoyance over the signing. “[Jerry Jones] is in his gear now. When your owner is the general manager, it’s just a little easier. He can just make that decision and it’s done. He wants him, whatever he decides the process is, boom – done. [Jerry will] walk closer to that line and take chances if he thinks it’s coming together. But signing La’el might actually be safer than a couple of their other moves lately.”"

Part of that statement comes from jealousy, as any team would have been happy with Dallas’ draft class, particularly adding Collins as an undrafted free agent, but there is some truth to it. The Cowboys don’t have to worry about disagreements between the general manager and owner, and Jones certainly isn’t afraid to shy away from high-risk, high-reward moves.

Gregory fell to No. 60 overall due to concerns that he wasn’t ready to handle the mental part of being in the NFL. Collins wasn’t drafted at all after police questioned him in a murder investigation, but became a highly sought-after free agent after his named was cleared. Jones went above and beyond other general managers and owners, hosting Collins for dinner in his mansion.

The Cowboys also added defensive end Greg Hardy after he was placed on the exempt list for most of last year due to a domestic violence claim.

On the field, Jones’ recent risky decisions appear to be a very good thing for the Cowboys. Collins joins an offensive line that was already the best in the NFL, while Gregory has the potential to be a devastating pass rusher. Dallas also got a good season out of Rolando McClain in 2015, and many teams wouldn’t have taken a chance on him given his past.

Other teams don’t shy away from character concerns, but it’s slightly easier for Dallas to add them with Jones at the helm, which can make all the difference. Jones being “in his gear” is not good news for the rest of the NFL.

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