The Dallas Cowboys have had a reputation over the years for not being the biggest spenders in free agency, and it's one they've erased.

Although they haven't shed that label, the Cowboys do have one of the league's rosters thanks to their immense success in the NFL draft. As a result, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who wears multiple hats for the organization, was named the 10th-best general manager league-wide. 

The top-shelf talent is close to the top of the league. There are homegrown Hall of Famers. After two straight years of winning, which has become a rarity in the Jerry Jones era, it's time to give this front office some credit. Perhaps the increased influence of personnel VP Will McClay and COO Stephen Jones has helped the Cowboys, who still struggle at times with self-scouting (SEE: Amari Cooper trade). Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore were smart veteran acquisitions for the price, but this ranking is mostly about Dallas' consistently strong drafts that keep hitting, especially in the first round.

The first-round prowess of the Cowboys has produced three consecutive studs.

Wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, was taken with the 17th overall pick in 2020. As a rookie, without quarterback Dak Prescott for 11 games, Lamb put up over 900 yards and five touchdowns. All he's done since is up his game.

Lamb has registered back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns and has been named a Pro Bowler twice and a second-team All-Pro in the process. Needless to say, he's earned the WR1 label.

Linebacker/edge Micah Parsons is one of the best first-round hits for the Cowboys ever already. Many were skeptical about how he'd be used, but Cowboys' defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has done a masterful job utilizing the talents of Parsons. 

The 12th overall pick in 2021 has earned a Defensive Rookie of the Year honor as well as multiple Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nods over his first two seasons. Parsons has racked up 26.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, 56 quarterback hits, six pass breakups, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and a touchdown. Simply put, he's arguably the best defensive player in the NFL.

Last season saw the Cowboys take tackle/guard Tyler Smith 24th overall. Smith struggled with penalties in college and still needs work in that area (committed 11 as a rookie). However, by the end of last season, Smith looked like the Cowboys left tackle of the future, and even played 121 snaps at left guard. 

Dallas did a great job with the Gilmore and Cooks trades last month, but last season, they made a few moves that paid off, too.

Edge rusher Dante Fowler would finish tied for third (DeMarcus Lawrence) in sacks for the Cowboys in 2022 with six, and he did so without logging a single start. Nose tackle Johnathan Hankins was acquired via trade from the Las Vegas Raiders around mid-season, and he was a force as a space-eater and run defender. Both were re-signed over the last several weeks.

Despite the backlash he gets at times, and rightfully so, Jones has made some strategic moves in the draft and free agency over the last several years.