The Dallas Cowboys’ entire success in 2016 was arguably a direct result of making a franchise-altering draft pick.

Adding a highly-talented rookie to an experienced, cohesive bunch worked out wonderfully for “America’s Team”.

Selecting Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick, the running back had an historic campaign, rushing for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns while the Cowboys remained a Super Bowl contender for the entire campaign.

Of course teams get lucky or unlucky with how high first round draft picks turn out, but Elliott’s success might have an impact on the organization’s draft strategy this year and in the future.

Judging by the instant transformation that can occur with one singular draft pick, the Cowboys are now slated to pick at the No. 28 spot in the first round of the upcoming draft, but owner Jerry Jones hinted that the team might be aggressive, using the pick as a vehicle to either move up or down the draft order.

Speaking to Clarence E. Hill of the Star-Telegram, Jones explained his vision:

"Near the bottom of the first, moving toward the top ... this sets up for a little potential trade action to try to gain some value or try to hit an opportunity," Jones said. "I have never looked at where we were when we started a draft and thought we are not going to get a very good player right there. The assumption being that is where you are going to be when you have to make a decision. All that plays out as it unfolds. There are some opportunities (for trades up or down).” 

By the sounds of it, Jones seems keen on pooling picks together to trade up in the draft. If you remember back, the Atlanta Falcons did the same thing and landed wide receiver Julio Jones, while the Washington Redskins similarly pooled together picks in exchange for what ended up being Robert Griffin III.

And the effect on the four franchises involved varied greatly.

Jones later hinted that the organization wasn’t interested in adding an injured player, like they did last season by taking Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith in the second round.

"Drafting a player this year that is going to be redshirted high, with some of our needs, that gets problematic a little bit,” Jones said. “Doing a Jaylon this year when we are probably going to get a chance to get a player that’s got a chance to play. We’ve got to play young."

Smith missed the entire 2016 campaign while recovering from his injury.

If you remember back to last month, presumed No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett asked Jones and the Cowboys to trade up for him.

While that’s probably out of the question based on what Dallas can offer in return, there are some impact players at the top of the class that can certainly come in and presumably get the job done immediately, just like Jones said he’s looking for.