Is the Cowboys' 2016 draft haul the best NFL class ever?

Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott were the talk of the NFL this season, elevating the Dallas Cowboys to a 13-3 record and the NFC's top seed.

The rookie duo improved the Cowboys' win total by nine games this season, and the 2016 draft class has reinvigorated owner Jerry Jones' reputation as a shrewd talent evaluator.

Here is how the Cowboys stack up against some of the greatest draft classes in NFL history:

Dallas Cowboys, 2016

Elliott headlines the class after rushing for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns, while adding 363 yards and another score. Prescott submitted one of the most efficient rookie seasons ever by a quarterback, as both he and Elliott earned Pro Bowl honors. However, the 2016 draft class boasts more than just the dynamic rookie duo.

Maliek Collins showed massive improvement as the season progressed, racking up three sacks in his final five games, and could be a long-term answer at defensive tackle. Anthony Brown stepped up and became a valuable contributor in the secondary, earning rave reviews from teammate Byron Jones in the process. Jaylon Smith was heralded as the top linebacker in college football before tearing his ACL and LCL in 2015, and if he returns to top form, the Cowboys could emerge with three stars.

It's too early to determine the ceiling of this draft class, but it could be on the trajectory to challenge some of the all-time greats listed below.

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974

The 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers draft class is widely considered the greatest of all time, setting an almost insurmountable standard to beat. With four players inducted into the Hall of Fame, this class helped the Steelers become the defining team of the 1970s, winning four Super Bowls over the decade.

Lynn Swann and John Stallworth are likely the best wide-receiver duo ever to be selected from the same class, dominating opponents with their speed in the open field and surefire route-running. Mike Webster carved out a role as arguably the greatest center in NFL history, making incisive pre-snap reads that made Terry Bradshaw's job much easier than it seemed. The Steelers' offense was a veritable powerhouse, and Swann, Stallworth, and Webster almost feels like an unfair haul.

Jack Lambert became the archetype for the modern middle linebacker, with his combination of speed, size, power, and football intelligence, making him an ideal fit for the Steelers' defensive scheme. Adept enough to rotate onto wide receivers and tight ends, Lambert could do it all for the Steelers, and his 28 interceptions are a testament to his versatility.

It's nearly impossible to top the 1974 Steelers, a goal the current Cowboys will strive for.

Buffalo Bills, 1985

Bruce Smith was everything the Bills dreamed of and more after being selected first overall, amassing an NFL-record 200 sacks over the course of his career. Smith was the most important part of the Bills' defense for nearly 15 years and carved his role as the best player in franchise history.

The Bills received contributions across the board from this draft class, but Andre Reed emerged as the surprise standout on the offensive side of the ball. Selected in the fourth round, Reed created a dynamic partnership with quarterback Jim Kelly and ranks 16th all time with 951 career receptions.

Frank Reich also became a club legend with his performance in the 1992 AFC wild-card game against the Houston Oilers, widely dubbed as "The Comeback." With Kelly injured, Reich led the Bills to the largest comeback in NFL history, triumphing in overtime after facing a 32-point deficit.

It's quite likely the Cowboys could usurp this class in terms of historical greatness, but Smith and Reed propel the Bills near the top of the leaderboard for the time being.

Baltimore Ravens, 1996

It's impossible to do any better than the Ravens did in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft, securing the premier left tackle and linebacker of their generation in Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis. Ogden paved the way for a strong running game, featuring myriad running backs while keeping numerous subpar quarterbacks afloat during the course of his 12-year career. Lewis established himself as arguably the greatest middle linebacker of all time, creating a culture of fear that permeated through the organization and served as the team's identity.

Jermaine Lewis also contributed to the team's success as an outstanding returner and served as a rotational member of the Ravens' passing game during their Super Bowl victory in 2000. It would be extremely difficult to ask Elliott and Prescott to match the trajectories of Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis, but they remain the most influential duet from one draft class in modern history.

Seattle Seahawks, 2012

The Seahawks puzzled executives by taking the relatively unknown Bruce Irvin in the first round but he was a key contributor during his first four seasons, culminating in a Super Bowl. Seattle came away with two foundational pieces, with Russell Wilson becoming the greatest quarterback in franchise history, while Bobby Wagner continues to be in the discussion for the NFL's best linebacker. Jeremy Lane remains on the roster and is used as a rotational piece in the Seahawks' legendary "Legion of Boom" secondary and the 2012 class remains an indelible part of general manager John Schneider's legacy. Competing for their second Super Bowl of the decade, Wilson, Wagner, and Co., are still writing their legacies, serving as the model for the Cowboys to replicate.

It's eminently possible that the Seahawks and Cowboys square off against each other for the NFC title, with the 2012 and 2016 draft classes playing an integral role in the outcome.