Dallas Cowboys draft LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne – NFL News
In what seems to be a shocking development, the Dallas Cowboys selected Louisiana State University’s cornerback, Morris Claiborne, in the first round of the 2012 National Football League (NFL) draft on Thursday, April 26, 2012.
Claiborne, who was equally surprised as other observers after knowing Cowboys’ decision to select him, was seen in tears soon after NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, made the announcement of the pick.
Even his family members could not help control their emotions and they, too, could not prevent tears rolling out on their cheeks.
"I was shocked," Claiborne admitted. "They didn't even talk to me."
Interestingly, Cowboys traded up their pick to make that selection possible. They had 14th overall pick in the first round, but they traded the pick with the St. Louis Rams, who had the sixth pick.
Initially, Rams had the second overall pick, but they traded it with Washington Redskins to get the sixth pick, which was later traded with the Cowboys.
Cowboys believe in the merit of their selection and decision to trade their pick. The franchise’s owner, Jerry Jones, thinks that Claiborne is an elite cornerback, who would serve the team’s interest well.
Jones also said that the management had made the decision to draft Claiborne a few days before the draft. He further said that all the stakeholders had a consensus on drafting the player.
Jones said:
"We had decided as late as three days ago that he'd be the only player we'd go up and get. We use the word elite. I think he is. You couldn't say that about that many players in this draft. When you have the opportunity to get that elite player – one with the character and the makeup – you have to do it. He's the most consensus pick and the most consensus move that I ever remember on our draft day."
The Cowboys already have a couple of good cornerbacks in their squad and the addition of Claiborne is expected to add further strength to the unit.
However, the development has also indicated that the team might cut one of its cornerbacks in the days to come, but it is too soon to speculate on the matter.
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