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Oh geez, Tarheel Nation!!!
Day Three Targets
- Thread starter boozeman
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I agree, I'm a little afraid another corner won't make the roster.
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Heck would be a nice 7th rounder.
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We should have room for at least one more. If the season started right now, your fifth cornerback comes from guys like C.J. Goodwin, Chris Westry, D.J. White and Saivion Smith.
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They will carry one for special teams. I would prefer that be a kid who has potential, instead of a one trick pony.
Smitty
DCC 4Life
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Diggs, Chido, Lewis, Brown, Canady. That's your five right now.
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I think Canady is your special teamer.
Stasheroo
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I think they should double dip if they can. Both Awuzie and Lewis are up for free agency next year and I'd like to have some in the pipeline.
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Troy Pride is my guy if we go corner. I just think he is a future starter who yiu make room for. Better player than Brown and Canady right now.
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I forgot about Canady, which shows you how little I think of him.
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Brugler: My favorite Day 3 picks and undrafted free agents at each position
By Dane Brugler Apr 24, 2020
6
While 106 picks are in the books, there are still 149 selections to be made. And Day 3 of the NFL Draft is when the scouts get to draft their favorite players.
Many of the players drafted on Saturday (or signed shortly after the draft ends) won’t receive a second contract in the NFL. But there will be a select few who vastly outplay their draft spot and become key contributors.
Last year, players like Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham, Ravens guard Patrick Mekari and Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle didn’t hear their names called during the draft, but they played a significant role during their rookie seasons.
Part of it is luck. Day 3 prospects and undrafted free agents must land in the right situation to earn an opportunity. But part of it is evaluators accurately identifying the lesser-known prospects’ key traits that will translate to the pro game.
Here are my favorite Day 3 and (projected) undrafted free agent prospects:
Quarterback
Day 3 draft pick: Jake Fromm, Georgia
Scheme specific? Yeah. Limited in areas? No doubt. But in the right situation, Fromm can be an asset to an organization, initially as a backup and an important voice among the quarterbacks. He has starting potential if he lands in an offense that prioritizes quick decisions and rhythm passing.
Priority free agent: Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah
Questions about size, durability and passing anticipation likely leave Huntley undrafted, but he is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the class. He moves well in the pocket and his decision-making improved each season, but his best trait is his warrior toughness, which leads to production.
Running back
Day 3 draft pick: Joshua Kelley, UCLA
It is easy to like Kelley’s run style. He is an attitude runner who might not have great make-you-miss skills, but he darts through creases and stays balanced at contact. He is never content as a runner and takes care of the football, offering any-down potential.
Priority free agent: Rodney Smith, Minnesota
Only three backs in the Big Ten rushed for 1,000-plus yards last season: JK Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor and Smith. He does a great job stringing moves together and shifting gears without stopping his momentum. Smith also steps up in pass protection and looks comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he earns a third-down role.
Wide receiver
Day 3 draft pick: James Proche, SMU
A lot of talented wide receivers have gone through SMU, but none produced like Proche, who holds numerous school records, including 4,996 all-purpose yards. Yes, he is a tad undersized and needs to be more consistent as a route-runner, but he is a king-sized competitor with near-elite ball skills. It is tough seeing Proche not producing.
Priority free agent: Josh Pearson, Jacksonville State
Pearson spent his first three seasons either ineligible or on the bench, but he was a dominant FCS-level wide receiver the last two seasons with 30 touchdown catches. While unseasoned in areas, he has natural pass-catching traits with 4.46-second speed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds — tape, testing and production.
Tight end
Day 3 draft pick: Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Bryant isn’t a fit for every situation because he is more of an oversized wide receiver than an inline tight end, but for an offense looking for a seam-stretcher with route savvy and catch-point skills, the FAU product is a fit. He is especially productive in the quick game, uncovering on slants and hooks to keep the chains moving.
Priority free agent: Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan
Although he wasn’t really on the NFL radar over the summer, Ricci turned heads as a senior, leading the MAC with eight touchdown catches in 2019. While somewhat limited as a blocker, his receiving skills are why he has a chance to stick, moving more like a souped-up wide receiver than a traditional tight end.
Offensive tackle
Day 3 draft pick: Cameron Clark, Charlotte
A three-year starting left tackle and two-time captain, Clark was graded as a priority free agent over the summer by NFL scouts, but he changed the narrative as a senior, specifically with his performance versus Clemson. Clark is fundamentally sound and cerebral, which should help him see early reps at tackle or guard.
Priority free agent: Brandon Bowen, Ohio State
After missing almost two years with a broken leg that didn’t set properly, Bowen returned as a senior and attracted attention from pro scouts. The medicals might force him to go undrafted, but he will get a chance because his size and upper-body power will help him bench press defenders off his frame.
Interior offensive line
Day 3 draft pick: Kevin Dotson, Louisiana
My pick to be the first non-combine prospect to be drafted, Dotson is a hulking blocker who became Louisiana’s first All-American. There are some sloppy elements to his game, but he controls the line of scrimmage and physically moves defenders around the field like a pissed-off club bouncer.
Priority free agent: Kyle Hinton, Washburn
A college left tackle who will move inside, Hinton is a fantastic athlete with the foundation traits worth developing. He faces a sizable jump from Division II but he will be a worthy investment for a team willing to be patient.
Edge rusher
Day 3 draft pick: Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame
While it was not a surprise to see Julian Okwara as the first Notre Dame rusher drafted, Kareem is a better player. He doesn’t offer the burst to surprise blockers at the snap but he has great length and violent hands to bully his way through blocks. Kareem is a strong edge setter who can reduce inside on passing downs.
Priority free agent: Kendall Coleman, Syracuse
After posting 10 sacks as a junior, he took a step back with four as a senior but he rushes with a plan and a nose for the football. Although the lack of explosive traits will likely leave him undrafted, Coleman is a competitive, instinctive player who could earn a roster spot.
Defensive tackle
Day 3 draft pick: James Lynch, Baylor
Talking to teams about Lynch in the lead-up to the draft, there are fit concerns due to his lack of length and tweener traits. Is he a three-technique? Can he be a base defensive end? Those questions are the main reason he is still available entering Day 3. But I’ll bet on his production and competitive energy as a one-gap penetrator.
Priority free agent: Calvin Taylor Jr., Kentucky
At 6-foot-8 and 309 pounds, Taylor is a “first guy off the bus” type who is easy to spot. His size makes him a large target for blockers, but when he stays low out of his stance, he can create movement. He is the type of prospect worth stashing and developing at a low price.
Linebacker
Day 3 draft pick: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
The best way I can describe Davis-Gaither’s athleticism is he was probably the best “tag” player in the neighborhood growing up because he avoids blocks with his quickness and uses his closing burst and length to finish. He missed part of the draft process with a stress fracture, but it is still surprising to see him available on Day 3.
Priority free agent: Dante Olson, Montana
In two years as a starter, Olson combined for 330 tackles and 22 tackles for loss. His lack of cover skills and recovery speed could push him out of the draft, but his smarts and competitive toughness will translate to the pro game. I’ll bet on his diagnose skills showing out during training camp.
Cornerback
Day 3 draft pick: John Reid, Penn State
Reid fell due to his size (5-foot-10, 187 pounds, 30-inch arms) and injury history (a torn ACL in his left knee), but I would jump at the chance to draft him anywhere on Day 3. A fluid athlete, he stays on top of routes with terrific play recognition. His man-cover skills make him a mosquito at a barbecue to wide receivers.
Priority free agent: Madre Harper, Southern Illinois
While his tape is up and down, Harper tested like a phenomenal athlete worth bringing to camp. At 6-foot-2 with 34-inch arms, he ran a 4.42-second 40 at his pro day, jumped 40 inches in the vertical and 11-foot-2 in the broad and clocked 6.88 seconds in the three-cone drill. Jeremy Chinn isn’t the only NFL prospect in Southern Illinois’ secondary.
Safety
Day 3 draft pick: Geno Stone, Iowa
From a size-and-speed standpoint, Stone is average at best, which lowers his margin for error. I don’t think Stone will ever be a big-time playmaker, but his high football IQ and high batting average as a tackler will keep him in the NFL. You won’t see many mental mistakes on his tape.
Priority free agent: Jovante Moffatt, Middle Tennessee
It won’t be surprising if Moffatt is on an active roster in the fall. He tends to freelance a little too much, but his play speed and competitive urgency will also lead to impact plays versus the run and the pass. While he might not be a household name, Moffatt is a name to remember.
Return specialist
Day 3 draft pick: Joe Reed, Virginia
Reed not only became the first player in school history with two kickoff return touchdowns in the same season, but he did it twice, finishing his career with five. His role on offense is somewhat of a question, but he is well accomplished as a returner, becoming the first in FBS history with 2,700-plus career kick return yards and a kick return average of at least 28 yards.
Priority free agent: Marquez Callaway, Tennessee
As a wide receiver, Callaway struggled to stay on the same page with his quarterback and his questionable route awareness and cover reads are areas that require improvement. But his ability on special teams is what could keep him on a roster as he averaged 13.6 yards per punt return in college, including three touchdowns.
By Dane Brugler Apr 24, 2020
While 106 picks are in the books, there are still 149 selections to be made. And Day 3 of the NFL Draft is when the scouts get to draft their favorite players.
Many of the players drafted on Saturday (or signed shortly after the draft ends) won’t receive a second contract in the NFL. But there will be a select few who vastly outplay their draft spot and become key contributors.
Last year, players like Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham, Ravens guard Patrick Mekari and Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle didn’t hear their names called during the draft, but they played a significant role during their rookie seasons.
Part of it is luck. Day 3 prospects and undrafted free agents must land in the right situation to earn an opportunity. But part of it is evaluators accurately identifying the lesser-known prospects’ key traits that will translate to the pro game.
Here are my favorite Day 3 and (projected) undrafted free agent prospects:
Quarterback
Day 3 draft pick: Jake Fromm, Georgia
Scheme specific? Yeah. Limited in areas? No doubt. But in the right situation, Fromm can be an asset to an organization, initially as a backup and an important voice among the quarterbacks. He has starting potential if he lands in an offense that prioritizes quick decisions and rhythm passing.
Priority free agent: Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah
Questions about size, durability and passing anticipation likely leave Huntley undrafted, but he is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the class. He moves well in the pocket and his decision-making improved each season, but his best trait is his warrior toughness, which leads to production.
Running back
Day 3 draft pick: Joshua Kelley, UCLA
It is easy to like Kelley’s run style. He is an attitude runner who might not have great make-you-miss skills, but he darts through creases and stays balanced at contact. He is never content as a runner and takes care of the football, offering any-down potential.
Priority free agent: Rodney Smith, Minnesota
Only three backs in the Big Ten rushed for 1,000-plus yards last season: JK Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor and Smith. He does a great job stringing moves together and shifting gears without stopping his momentum. Smith also steps up in pass protection and looks comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he earns a third-down role.
Wide receiver
Day 3 draft pick: James Proche, SMU
A lot of talented wide receivers have gone through SMU, but none produced like Proche, who holds numerous school records, including 4,996 all-purpose yards. Yes, he is a tad undersized and needs to be more consistent as a route-runner, but he is a king-sized competitor with near-elite ball skills. It is tough seeing Proche not producing.
Priority free agent: Josh Pearson, Jacksonville State
Pearson spent his first three seasons either ineligible or on the bench, but he was a dominant FCS-level wide receiver the last two seasons with 30 touchdown catches. While unseasoned in areas, he has natural pass-catching traits with 4.46-second speed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds — tape, testing and production.
Tight end
Day 3 draft pick: Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Bryant isn’t a fit for every situation because he is more of an oversized wide receiver than an inline tight end, but for an offense looking for a seam-stretcher with route savvy and catch-point skills, the FAU product is a fit. He is especially productive in the quick game, uncovering on slants and hooks to keep the chains moving.
Priority free agent: Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan
Although he wasn’t really on the NFL radar over the summer, Ricci turned heads as a senior, leading the MAC with eight touchdown catches in 2019. While somewhat limited as a blocker, his receiving skills are why he has a chance to stick, moving more like a souped-up wide receiver than a traditional tight end.
Offensive tackle
Day 3 draft pick: Cameron Clark, Charlotte
A three-year starting left tackle and two-time captain, Clark was graded as a priority free agent over the summer by NFL scouts, but he changed the narrative as a senior, specifically with his performance versus Clemson. Clark is fundamentally sound and cerebral, which should help him see early reps at tackle or guard.
Priority free agent: Brandon Bowen, Ohio State
After missing almost two years with a broken leg that didn’t set properly, Bowen returned as a senior and attracted attention from pro scouts. The medicals might force him to go undrafted, but he will get a chance because his size and upper-body power will help him bench press defenders off his frame.
Interior offensive line
Day 3 draft pick: Kevin Dotson, Louisiana
My pick to be the first non-combine prospect to be drafted, Dotson is a hulking blocker who became Louisiana’s first All-American. There are some sloppy elements to his game, but he controls the line of scrimmage and physically moves defenders around the field like a pissed-off club bouncer.
Priority free agent: Kyle Hinton, Washburn
A college left tackle who will move inside, Hinton is a fantastic athlete with the foundation traits worth developing. He faces a sizable jump from Division II but he will be a worthy investment for a team willing to be patient.
Edge rusher
Day 3 draft pick: Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame
While it was not a surprise to see Julian Okwara as the first Notre Dame rusher drafted, Kareem is a better player. He doesn’t offer the burst to surprise blockers at the snap but he has great length and violent hands to bully his way through blocks. Kareem is a strong edge setter who can reduce inside on passing downs.
Priority free agent: Kendall Coleman, Syracuse
After posting 10 sacks as a junior, he took a step back with four as a senior but he rushes with a plan and a nose for the football. Although the lack of explosive traits will likely leave him undrafted, Coleman is a competitive, instinctive player who could earn a roster spot.
Defensive tackle
Day 3 draft pick: James Lynch, Baylor
Talking to teams about Lynch in the lead-up to the draft, there are fit concerns due to his lack of length and tweener traits. Is he a three-technique? Can he be a base defensive end? Those questions are the main reason he is still available entering Day 3. But I’ll bet on his production and competitive energy as a one-gap penetrator.
Priority free agent: Calvin Taylor Jr., Kentucky
At 6-foot-8 and 309 pounds, Taylor is a “first guy off the bus” type who is easy to spot. His size makes him a large target for blockers, but when he stays low out of his stance, he can create movement. He is the type of prospect worth stashing and developing at a low price.
Linebacker
Day 3 draft pick: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
The best way I can describe Davis-Gaither’s athleticism is he was probably the best “tag” player in the neighborhood growing up because he avoids blocks with his quickness and uses his closing burst and length to finish. He missed part of the draft process with a stress fracture, but it is still surprising to see him available on Day 3.
Priority free agent: Dante Olson, Montana
In two years as a starter, Olson combined for 330 tackles and 22 tackles for loss. His lack of cover skills and recovery speed could push him out of the draft, but his smarts and competitive toughness will translate to the pro game. I’ll bet on his diagnose skills showing out during training camp.
Cornerback
Day 3 draft pick: John Reid, Penn State
Reid fell due to his size (5-foot-10, 187 pounds, 30-inch arms) and injury history (a torn ACL in his left knee), but I would jump at the chance to draft him anywhere on Day 3. A fluid athlete, he stays on top of routes with terrific play recognition. His man-cover skills make him a mosquito at a barbecue to wide receivers.
Priority free agent: Madre Harper, Southern Illinois
While his tape is up and down, Harper tested like a phenomenal athlete worth bringing to camp. At 6-foot-2 with 34-inch arms, he ran a 4.42-second 40 at his pro day, jumped 40 inches in the vertical and 11-foot-2 in the broad and clocked 6.88 seconds in the three-cone drill. Jeremy Chinn isn’t the only NFL prospect in Southern Illinois’ secondary.
Safety
Day 3 draft pick: Geno Stone, Iowa
From a size-and-speed standpoint, Stone is average at best, which lowers his margin for error. I don’t think Stone will ever be a big-time playmaker, but his high football IQ and high batting average as a tackler will keep him in the NFL. You won’t see many mental mistakes on his tape.
Priority free agent: Jovante Moffatt, Middle Tennessee
It won’t be surprising if Moffatt is on an active roster in the fall. He tends to freelance a little too much, but his play speed and competitive urgency will also lead to impact plays versus the run and the pass. While he might not be a household name, Moffatt is a name to remember.
Return specialist
Day 3 draft pick: Joe Reed, Virginia
Reed not only became the first player in school history with two kickoff return touchdowns in the same season, but he did it twice, finishing his career with five. His role on offense is somewhat of a question, but he is well accomplished as a returner, becoming the first in FBS history with 2,700-plus career kick return yards and a kick return average of at least 28 yards.
Priority free agent: Marquez Callaway, Tennessee
As a wide receiver, Callaway struggled to stay on the same page with his quarterback and his questionable route awareness and cover reads are areas that require improvement. But his ability on special teams is what could keep him on a roster as he averaged 13.6 yards per punt return in college, including three touchdowns.
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To me James Lynch is a 3 technique. The guy is 290 pounds. Seems like plenty of size for the position. Just stupid productive and good size. If you want him to add 5-10 pounds to be bigger that shouldn't be a problem.
Sure maybe you use him a little like Crawford as a run down DE and pass down 3 technique. But at this point in the draft that's perfect.
Sure maybe you use him a little like Crawford as a run down DE and pass down 3 technique. But at this point in the draft that's perfect.
shoop
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Geno Stone, Jordan Fuller, Braden Mann, Weaver, Biadasz, Fotu, Moss, Adeniji, Higby, Danny Pinter, K'von Wallace, and maybe Tyshun Render to see if Belichick was blowing smoke or found a diamond.
I would still take a flyer on KJ Hill. that's a lot in WR capital but I believe in him.
I would still take a flyer on KJ Hill. that's a lot in WR capital but I believe in him.
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How Cowboys landed player with 1-percent chance of falling to them; Day 3 goals
By Jon Machota 2h ago
12
The Cowboys could not have asked for a better first two days of the NFL Draft. A day after landing the sixth-ranked player on their board, Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, they addressed a pair of significant needs on defense with a cornerback many experts predicted would be selected in the first round, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs, and a defensive tackle in the middle of the third round, Oklahoma’s Neville Gallimore, that Dallas strongly considered taking over Diggs in the second.
“When I look at how we got here, this thing by its very nature is based on how it falls, and we’re living right. It fell right for us these first two days,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “What excites me is that if it can happen to you on Day 1 and 2, I’m a dreamer, and I like to think it could happen to you on Day 3. I can’t wait, if it keeps going like this. We’ve gotten three players here that we’ve seen make inordinate, I mean rare, plays. All three of them.
“They are capable, they’ve got the upside to get in the habit of that. So that is fun to get players with this kind of upside. It is fun to beat the value at the place you draft them, relative to what’s generally considered value. That is fun. I am going to try to remember what I’ve done the last two days and keep it up (Saturday). I’m superstitious. I’m going to go back and do the exact same thing I did last night.”
Dallas entered the draft knowing it must fill some significant holes on defense, specifically at cornerback, edge rusher, defensive tackle and safety. But that plan changed in the first round when Lamb was surprisingly still available at Pick 17. That placed an even greater emphasis on defense in the second and third rounds. The Cowboys attempted to find a trade partner on Day 2, looking to move up and grab Diggs, a big defensive back (6-1, 205) with the ability to fill in Byron Jones’ spot as one of the team’s starting outside corners.
“We spent a lot of time (Friday) thinking about trading up,” Jones said. “But the thing, of course, about this trading thing now is that you have to have someone to trade with. You’ve got to be ready and you’ve got to do all the work as though you have several of them wanting to trade with you.
“We couldn’t get those trades. Nobody wanted to trade them.”
The Cowboys were fortunate that Diggs was still available at Pick 51. The younger brother of Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs felt he made a good connection with the Dallas front office during the pre-draft process, particularly on visits via video conferencing.
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Diggs attended the University of Alabama after being a standout high school athlete. He played both corner and wide receiver during his freshman season with the Crimson Tide. Alabama head coach Nick Saban eventually convinced him that making a full-time move to cornerback was in his best interest. Diggs had three interceptions, eight pass breakups and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) as a senior last year. He believes his experience playing wide receiver has helped him as a playmaker on defense. One of the biggest areas of weakness for the Cowboys defense over the last five years has been their inability to create turnovers on the back end. Dallas finished tied for last in the NFL last season with only seven interceptions.
“I can attack the ball,” Diggs said. “I can go get the ball. It’s like you have a wide receiver playing corner. I’m hungry for the ball. I don’t want pass breakups, I want interceptions.”
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Diggs ended up being the eighth cornerback drafted. Some projected him to be the third player at his position to come off the board after Jeff Okudah, who went third overall, and C.J. Henderson, who was drafted with the ninth pick.
How unlikely were the chances of Diggs falling to the Cowboys at 51?
“We have well done, in-depth studies and charts that we all were reviewing (Friday) morning before the draft,” Jones said. “All of our studies showed that he was in the one percentile. Diggs was in the one-percent chance of falling to us there. One.”
Despite those slim odds, they still considered the possibility of taking Gallimore, who they had graded as a second-round pick on their board. One of the reasons they ended up agreeing on Diggs was because of where the two positions stacked up. At that point, they felt there was better depth remaining in this draft class on the interior of the defensive line. Diggs, or the quality of cornerback similar to Diggs, would not be available at Pick 82.
New Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy wanted to get bigger in the middle of the defensive line this offseason. They have done that with the free agency additions of Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe and then again on Friday night by picking Gallimore, who sees himself as a high-effort player that’s disruptive in both the passing and running game.
“Whatever you need, whatever you want from me, I will do that and I’ll do it to the best of my abilities,” Gallimore said. “How I describe myself is an unfinished product. My ceiling is so high, and I know that. Just because of how late the game came to me … I know that the best football hasn’t come out of me yet. But it’s coming, and it’s coming soon.”
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So where do the Cowboys go from here? What is the goal for Day 3?
“Who knows what the order is going to be, but I must say, if I knew we were going to come out of here with a back-end player on defense, a front player on defense and a receiver, with our first three picks, that would be hard to have a problem with,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “So from here on out, you just stick with your board. This is when the board comes in more than ever. These scouts have done so much work on the back end of this draft.
“We have some players up there that have some special qualities, some special traits, that if they are sitting there, they are certainly going to have our attention. But now that we have really taken care of some things we wanted to get done with these first three picks, I think we just cut and shoot, and I think it’s going to be even easier now with what we got done with these first three picks. We are going to be able to really stay true to where we invest all our money, which is our board.”
The Cowboys have four picks remaining: one in the fourth round (123 overall), two in the fifth (164 and 179) and one in the seventh (231). The biggest need remains edge rusher, followed by safety and then linebacker. Offensively, tight end could be addressed and there’s always room for offensive line depth and possibly some competition at backup quarterback.
“My priority is going to be really getting back to that board and trusting it,” McCarthy said. “There’s some positions that you’re obviously looking at and you look at the numbers, but the board has really fallen favorably for us and I think we’ll just continue to trust the board.”
Here are 20 players still available that make some sense for the Cowboys:
Curtis Weaver, edge, Boise State
Bradlee Anae, edge, Utah
Khalid Kareem, edge, Notre Dame
Trevis Gipson, edge, Tulsa
Jonathan Garvin, edge, Miami
D.J. Wonnum, edge, South Carolina
Alton Robinson, edge, Syracuse
Derrek Tuszka, edge, North Dakota State
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami
Geno Stone, S, Iowa
J.R. Reid, S, Georgia
Josh Metellus, S, Michigan
Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington
Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Reggie Robinson, CB, Tulsa
Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
James Morgan, QB, FIU
By Jon Machota 2h ago
The Cowboys could not have asked for a better first two days of the NFL Draft. A day after landing the sixth-ranked player on their board, Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, they addressed a pair of significant needs on defense with a cornerback many experts predicted would be selected in the first round, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs, and a defensive tackle in the middle of the third round, Oklahoma’s Neville Gallimore, that Dallas strongly considered taking over Diggs in the second.
“When I look at how we got here, this thing by its very nature is based on how it falls, and we’re living right. It fell right for us these first two days,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “What excites me is that if it can happen to you on Day 1 and 2, I’m a dreamer, and I like to think it could happen to you on Day 3. I can’t wait, if it keeps going like this. We’ve gotten three players here that we’ve seen make inordinate, I mean rare, plays. All three of them.
“They are capable, they’ve got the upside to get in the habit of that. So that is fun to get players with this kind of upside. It is fun to beat the value at the place you draft them, relative to what’s generally considered value. That is fun. I am going to try to remember what I’ve done the last two days and keep it up (Saturday). I’m superstitious. I’m going to go back and do the exact same thing I did last night.”
Dallas entered the draft knowing it must fill some significant holes on defense, specifically at cornerback, edge rusher, defensive tackle and safety. But that plan changed in the first round when Lamb was surprisingly still available at Pick 17. That placed an even greater emphasis on defense in the second and third rounds. The Cowboys attempted to find a trade partner on Day 2, looking to move up and grab Diggs, a big defensive back (6-1, 205) with the ability to fill in Byron Jones’ spot as one of the team’s starting outside corners.
“We spent a lot of time (Friday) thinking about trading up,” Jones said. “But the thing, of course, about this trading thing now is that you have to have someone to trade with. You’ve got to be ready and you’ve got to do all the work as though you have several of them wanting to trade with you.
“We couldn’t get those trades. Nobody wanted to trade them.”
The Cowboys were fortunate that Diggs was still available at Pick 51. The younger brother of Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs felt he made a good connection with the Dallas front office during the pre-draft process, particularly on visits via video conferencing.
Jon Machota
@jonmachota
https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/1253860110293766149
New Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs said he was starstruck when he got the call from Jerry Jones. "Words can't explain it. My heart dropped. The first round didn't go how I wanted it to, but I still ended up where I wanted to go."
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Diggs attended the University of Alabama after being a standout high school athlete. He played both corner and wide receiver during his freshman season with the Crimson Tide. Alabama head coach Nick Saban eventually convinced him that making a full-time move to cornerback was in his best interest. Diggs had three interceptions, eight pass breakups and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) as a senior last year. He believes his experience playing wide receiver has helped him as a playmaker on defense. One of the biggest areas of weakness for the Cowboys defense over the last five years has been their inability to create turnovers on the back end. Dallas finished tied for last in the NFL last season with only seven interceptions.
“I can attack the ball,” Diggs said. “I can go get the ball. It’s like you have a wide receiver playing corner. I’m hungry for the ball. I don’t want pass breakups, I want interceptions.”
Jon Machota
https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/1253864039425376256
Trevon Diggs on being a Cowboys fan: “My dad was a Cowboys fan before he passed. He had always been a Cowboys fan. Every time the Cowboys came on, sometimes he cheered, sometimes he was angry. But that was our team. It’s amazing this happened. I’m kind of living out his dream.”
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Diggs ended up being the eighth cornerback drafted. Some projected him to be the third player at his position to come off the board after Jeff Okudah, who went third overall, and C.J. Henderson, who was drafted with the ninth pick.
How unlikely were the chances of Diggs falling to the Cowboys at 51?
“We have well done, in-depth studies and charts that we all were reviewing (Friday) morning before the draft,” Jones said. “All of our studies showed that he was in the one percentile. Diggs was in the one-percent chance of falling to us there. One.”
Despite those slim odds, they still considered the possibility of taking Gallimore, who they had graded as a second-round pick on their board. One of the reasons they ended up agreeing on Diggs was because of where the two positions stacked up. At that point, they felt there was better depth remaining in this draft class on the interior of the defensive line. Diggs, or the quality of cornerback similar to Diggs, would not be available at Pick 82.
New Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy wanted to get bigger in the middle of the defensive line this offseason. They have done that with the free agency additions of Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe and then again on Friday night by picking Gallimore, who sees himself as a high-effort player that’s disruptive in both the passing and running game.
“Whatever you need, whatever you want from me, I will do that and I’ll do it to the best of my abilities,” Gallimore said. “How I describe myself is an unfinished product. My ceiling is so high, and I know that. Just because of how late the game came to me … I know that the best football hasn’t come out of me yet. But it’s coming, and it’s coming soon.”
Jon Machota
https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/1253887566228660225
Cowboys third round pick Neville Gallimore is very athletic, especially for someone 6-2, 305. He had 4 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles last year for the Sooners
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11:24 PM - Apr 24, 2020
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So where do the Cowboys go from here? What is the goal for Day 3?
“Who knows what the order is going to be, but I must say, if I knew we were going to come out of here with a back-end player on defense, a front player on defense and a receiver, with our first three picks, that would be hard to have a problem with,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “So from here on out, you just stick with your board. This is when the board comes in more than ever. These scouts have done so much work on the back end of this draft.
“We have some players up there that have some special qualities, some special traits, that if they are sitting there, they are certainly going to have our attention. But now that we have really taken care of some things we wanted to get done with these first three picks, I think we just cut and shoot, and I think it’s going to be even easier now with what we got done with these first three picks. We are going to be able to really stay true to where we invest all our money, which is our board.”
The Cowboys have four picks remaining: one in the fourth round (123 overall), two in the fifth (164 and 179) and one in the seventh (231). The biggest need remains edge rusher, followed by safety and then linebacker. Offensively, tight end could be addressed and there’s always room for offensive line depth and possibly some competition at backup quarterback.
“My priority is going to be really getting back to that board and trusting it,” McCarthy said. “There’s some positions that you’re obviously looking at and you look at the numbers, but the board has really fallen favorably for us and I think we’ll just continue to trust the board.”
Here are 20 players still available that make some sense for the Cowboys:
Curtis Weaver, edge, Boise State
Bradlee Anae, edge, Utah
Khalid Kareem, edge, Notre Dame
Trevis Gipson, edge, Tulsa
Jonathan Garvin, edge, Miami
D.J. Wonnum, edge, South Carolina
Alton Robinson, edge, Syracuse
Derrek Tuszka, edge, North Dakota State
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami
Geno Stone, S, Iowa
J.R. Reid, S, Georgia
Josh Metellus, S, Michigan
Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington
Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Reggie Robinson, CB, Tulsa
Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
James Morgan, QB, FIU
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Yeah I'd shit myself for Weaver or Anae. But no way I see them making it to our pick. I think they both go high in the fourth.
Chocolate Lab
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I like him a lot, too. I doubt they'd do it after Gallimore, though. He'll probably be gone before they pick anyway.
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Yeah I think the Cowboys if theh go DT at all will look more for a NT. But we will probably be done at DT.
