Image of several Dallas-area NFL first-round draft picks in a background of the Dallas Skyline, including Matthew Stafford, Myles Garrett, and Von Miller. (Shutterstock.com, Sportingnews.com, Starsinformer.com, Imagn.com)
Ashton Jeanty, Jason Smith, Myles Garrett, Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray, Michael Crabtree, and Von Miller. What do all of these NFL athletes have in common? They were all 1st round draft picks from high schools 30 miles from Jesuit. I’m going to go through all of these athletes’ NFL careers and assign a grade to them.
Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty attended Lone Star High School (Frisco, TX).
Jeanty was drafted 6th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, and he was expected to have a great rookie year under new offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly. However, his first season was nothing from the lofty expectation set upon him, as he only rushed for 938 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. Also, Chip Kelly was fired after a horrendous 2-9 start to the season where Jeanty only had 604 yards on 166 attempts with four touchdowns. Many believe he could have had a better season with stronger offensive line play.
If Jeanty gets a better Offensive Line and if he is utilized well by new Raiders Offensive Coordinator, Andrew Janocko he should have an amazing career. However, the Raiders’ recent struggles leave questions about how much support he will receive.
My grade of his NFL Career so far: B
Jason Smith
Smith attended W.T White High School (Dallas, TX) and was even coached by current junior English teacher, Mr. Billy Thompson.
He was drafted 2nd overall by the St. Louis Rams (Now the Las Angelas Rams) in the 2009 NFL Draft, after QB Matthew Stafford was picked first overall (Who will be mentioned later). His NFL career was unfortunately underwhelming as he only stayed in the league for 5 years, playing 3 years for the Rams and 1 year for the New York Jets, bouncing around the practice squads of the New Orleans Saints and the Jets before ultimately retiring from the NFL in 2014. He never lived up to expectations due to 2 major concussions he suffered, his first in 2009, a loss versus the Arizona Cardinals which led him to miss the rest of his rookie season, and one in 2011. Had Smith not had those 2 concussions, I definitely believe he could have had a better career.
My grade of his NFL Career: C-
Myles Garrett
Garrett attended Arlington Martin High School (Arlington, TX)
Garrett was drafted 1st overall in the star-studded 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, and his first season was a foreshadow for the carnage that he was about to unleash years to come as he had 7 sacks in only 11 games played. His dominance would continue in 2018 with 13.5 sacks and all games started. Even in 2019, when his season was cut short due to that skirmish against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had 10 sacks in 10 games. He would’ve been on pace for 16 sacks which would have been good for 3rd on the leaderboard for sacks that year. Now his most dominant season came actually last year when he had 23 sacks in 17 games! Which is absolutely INSANE as he was held to no sacks from weeks 4-6 and again in week 16 against Offensive Lines that were definitely not as solid as some of the other lines he faced. His 2 best games were both loses, his first, a 5-sack game against the New England Patriots, and his second, a 4-sack game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Garrett’s impact on the Browns has been immense since he was drafted in 2017, and I believe that dominance will continue for years to come. It will be interesting to see the relationship between the new Browns Defensive Coordinator, Mike Rutenberg, and how Garrett will be utilized. At his press conference, Rutenberg said “I don’t think I could be more excited,” while also being “beyond fired up. I can’t wait to see all of his superpowers, learn about his superpowers and figure out what’s best for him to help him continue to achieve those superpowers,” (New Browns DC Mike Rutenberg excited to see Myles Garrett’s superpowers).
My grade of his NFL Career so far: A+
Matthew Stafford
Stafford attended Highland Park (Highland Park, TX).
This man needs no introduction, picked 1st overall by the Detroit Lions in the aforementioned 2009 NFL Draft, Super Bowl champion, 2025 MVP, All-Pro in 2025, 3-time Pro Bowler, All-time leader in passing yards, completions, and touchdowns in Detroit Lions history. An absolute stud who truly revived his career after his trade to the LA Rams in 2021.
My grade of his NFL Career so far: A+
Kyler Murray
Murray attended Allen High School (Allen, TX).
Kyler was drafted 1st overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft and was considered a project due to his height being 5’10”, with some considering his height being a hinder for him seeing defenses. Even though he won the Heisman, the project label has stayed with him so far in his career as his time in Arizona was marred by injuries. His best year was the 2020 season where he had 3,971 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. After leading the Cardinals to a playoff berth before getting destroyed by Matthew Stafford’s LA Rams in the Wildcard Round. He was rewarded with a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension, with $160 million being guaranteed. His time after the extension was nothing but horrible as he only started one full season from 2021-2025.
He was actually just released by the Cardinals, so where will he continue his NFL Career? That would be the Minnesota Vikings. It remains to be seen how he will do as the starter for 2026 and whether or not his career will be revived like Sam Darnold. My prediction is that he will perform well in 2026 and will sign a big contract with another team as shown before with Sam Darnold, but definitely not as big as his contract in 2022.
My grade of his NFL Career so far: B+
Michael Crabtree
Crabtree attended David W. Carter High School (Dallas, TX).
Crabtree was drafted 10th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2009 NFL Draft and he was considered a gamechanger for a struggling 49ers WR core. His first season was great as he had 48 catches for 625 yards and 2 touchdowns. His next 2 years were better, but his 2012 season was the stuff of legends. 85 catches, 1,105 yards and a career high 9 touchdowns. The Playoffs? He went bonkers as in 3 games he had 20 catches for 285 yards and 3 touchdowns. One of his most infamous moments came in the 2013 NFC Championship Game. With just 31 seconds left, the San Francisco 49ers had one final chance to take the lead. Colin Kaepernick took the snap and quickly lofted a pass toward the corner of the end zone, aiming for Crabtree. As the ball descended, Micheal and Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman battled for position near the goal line. Timing his jump perfectly, Sherman leapt and tipped the ball away just before it reached Crabtree’s hands. The deflection sent the football popping up into the air, where Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith stepped in and secured the interception, sealing the victory and sending Seattle to the Super Bowl. After the game Crabtree’s name gets buried forever as Richard Sherman is getting interviewed about the final play by NFL on Fox Sideline Reporter, Erin Andrews, he says straight to the camera on National TV “Well, I’m the best corner in the game. When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you’re going to get. Don’t you ever talk about me,” (TOP 25 QUOTES BY RICHARD SHERMAN | A-Z Quotes).
After this quote, Crabtree’s career took a slow but very noticeable nosedive as he only spent one more decent year in San Francisco before signing a one-year deal with the Okland Raiders. The 2015 season was a nice bounce back with 85 catches for 922 yards and 9 touchdowns. He even signed a 4-year contract extension, and 2016 made it seem like a good investment as he hauled in 89 catches for 1,003 yards and 8 touchdowns. However, 2017 was a big decline as had 618 yards on 58 catches before having a decent year in 2018 with the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, his career went out on a sad note as in only 2 games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 he had 4 catches for 22 yards. That was the final time he was on an NFL Field. Crabtree had a strong NFL career, though many fans will still remember years to come the famous moment with Richard Sherman.
My grade of his career: B+
Von Miller
Von Miller attended DeSoto High School (DeSoto, Texas).
Miller was drafted 2nd overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and was considered a top 10 draft pick due to his quick reading of defenses and his quick burst on the defensive line. His rookie year was great as he had 11 sacks, but his 2012 season was even better as he had 18.5 sacks and a pick 6! His second-best season was 2018 as he had 14.5 sacks. His time in Denver was the stuff of legends as his 2015 playoff run will be remembered forever, 5 sacks in 3 games played with 2.5 sacks in the AFC divisional round and 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl against the Carolina Panthers. In total with the Broncos, he had 100.5 sacks, 24 forced fumbles and 2 touchdowns. In the middle of the 2021 season, he was shockingly traded to the Las Angelas Rams who were under their first year of Matthew Stafford. In the playoffs, he had 4 sacks, including 2 sacks in the Super Bowl against the horrible Cincinnati Bengals offensive Line. Then, On March 16, 2022, Miller signed with the Buffalo Bills on a 6-year, $120 million deal. His time in Buffalo was a far cry from his recent success with the Broncos and the Rams as he only played 3 seasons there, started 11 games but played in 36 games over the 3 seasons, had 1 forced fumble, and had only 14 sacks. In 2025, he signed with the Washington Commanders and had 9 sacks in all 17 games played with only 3 starts, a nice rebound that should lead to a nice payday in 2026 from a team needing a veteran leader. Von Miller actually started Von Miller Day in DeSoto to give back to the community in 2016, and I actually attended the 2019 event and got to even take a picture with him.
Von should get to be on a new team in 2026, possibly the Cowboys since they desperately need Defensive Line help. Will Jerry commit to him? If not, maybe the Las Angelos Chargers since they need a presence on the Defensive End opposite Kahil Mack.
My grade of his NFL Career: A+
Final Thoughts
From Super Bowl champions to Hall of Fame–level pass rushers, the Dallas area has produced some of the NFL’s most impactful first-round talent!
Stay tuned to the Roundup for more NFL coverage!
