Everyone has opinions on Cowboys draft picks. Few people understand the actual process behind how those picks get made. Here is a look inside the scouting operation.
The structure: The Cowboys employ approximately 20 full-time scouts, divided into area scouts (responsible for specific geographic regions) and national scouts (who cross-check the area scouts' work). Source: Dallas Morning News, 2025 profile of the scouting department.
The timeline:
- January-April (previous year): Area scouts begin evaluating underclassmen and seniors
- May-August: Spring evaluations and camp reports
- September-November: In-season scouting — scouts attend 3-4 college games per week
- December: All-Star game evaluations (Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine)
- January-February: Scouting Combine prep and the Combine itself
- March: Pro Days and final board construction
- April: Final draft board locked 72 hours before the draft
The board: The Cowboys use a numerical grading system from 1.0 (generational talent) to 8.0 (not draftable). Players are stacked by grade, not by position. The philosophy is best player available with positional need as a tiebreaker.
Jerry's role: Despite the memes, Jerry Jones does not unilaterally pick players. The scouting staff presents the board, the coaching staff provides scheme fit input, and Jerry has the final say when there is a debate between two similarly graded players. Source: Multiple Dallas Morning News interviews with former scouts.
The Will McClay factor: VP of Player Personnel Will McClay has been the architect of the Cowboys' draft success since 2014. His track record includes CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, and Tyler Smith — all in the first two rounds. McClay's influence on the board is significant.
Sources:
- Dallas Morning News — scouting department profiles
- The Athletic — Cowboys draft process reporting
- NFL Network — behind the scenes draft coverage
Will McClay does not get enough credit nationally. His hit rate on first and second round picks is among the best in the league. The Parsons pick in particular was a masterclass — everyone knew Parsons was great but McClay pushed for him over a quarterback.