With the Rookie Mini Camp almost over, fans have been able to get a small glimpse through social media of how the the rookies have fared–but there hasn't been those big splash plays just yet. While it's more exciting to see videos of players making highlight plays, you're likely not going to see any until Training Camp.
However, it should excite fans that Head Coach Mike McCarthy said in a press conference Friday that this class is significantly ahead of the two past draft classes. While COVID-19 did play a factor into limiting the previous draft classes, it should be encouraging to hear that the rookies are already getting situated, and that could mean faster results are shown on the field.
With all of that mind, I understand it may be too early to gauge how this draft class may turnout, but I wanted to give two bold predictions surrounding them. To ease your curiosity, check it out below.
1. Sam “De” Williams turns out to be the gem of the class.
Entering this draft, analysts were predicting the Cowboys taking a pass-rusher at some point after they failed to re-sign their starting defensive end Randy Gregory. Although some didn't believe a pass-rusher was a high need for them, the franchise thought otherwise and drafted Ole Miss DE Sam “De” Williams with the 56th Pick.
Williams, a uber-atheltic player, had been getting mocked to the Cowboys in some mock drafts but there was a inconsistent draft projection on him. While he possessed all of the traits you wanted in a pass-rusher, it seemed teams were heistant to take a chance on him because of his past off-the-field issues, and his raw play at the position.
However, the Cowboys ignored those comments and took a risk on him, and to me, he may end up as the best player from their class. Although it could be way too early to pencil him as someone who makes a huge impact in his first year, there is no doubt he will be in the DE rotation. And if he can utilize his freak athleticism to his advantage this year–expect a lot of splash plays from him.
DE Sam Williams, Cowboys 2nd-rounder, has speed off edge that reminds VP player personnel Will McClay of great pass rushers. Rawness at position, upside like D Ware. Pressure like DeMarcus Lawrence.
McClay: "When you turn on the tape, there's a blur of speed that's different."
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) May 6, 2022
2. Three UDFAs make the 53-man roster and become big contributors for the future.
If you're like me, I always enjoy looking back at previous draft classes and thinking how the Cowboys either lucked out drafting x-player or signing a certain UDFA that wound up becoming a solid contributor to the team.
I mean easily the first three UDFA names that come to my mind are WR Drew Pearson, CB Everson Walls and QB Tony Romo. While Pearson and Walls were ahead of my time, landing Romo was a big addition as he led the franchise to some solid seasons.
Shifting to this year's class, you have already had fans and analysts touting the Cowboys UDFA class as one of the best, and I'm excited to see which ones can crack the 53-man roster. Although I would love and wish if every player could get picked up, roster cuts have to be made but here are the three players that I believe make the team.
- Markquese Bell, Florida A&M Safety
- Alec Lindstrom, Boston College Center
- Jonathan Garibay, Texas Tech Kicker
Starting with Bell, he's one of those players that every year fans and sports writers believe should have been drafted. Despite already having Safeties Jayron Kearse, Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker and Isarel Mukuamu, the depth behind those four is shaky and you could argue they need some youth injected into the room.
Enter Bell, who was a starter at Florida A&M, and is someone the franchise could develop for the future. A hard-hitting safety, Bell is someone who thrives as a run defender and because of the Cowboy's poor run defense last year, you could see why the franchise would love him to be on the field.
Every time I watch #FAMU Safety Markquese Bell play, I'm blown away with his instincts, range and closing burst. Phenomenal angle and attack on the ball on the first play on the deep post, and gets to mesh point in a hurry on second play.
Easily of my favorite 2022 prospects. pic.twitter.com/gkxheEQfkk
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 6, 2022
Next, we have Boston College Center Alec Lindstrom, who I touted as a player to watch for in this year's training camp. Since Center Travis Fredrick retired in 2020, the Cowboys have been trying to figure out who's going to replace him at C, and have tried out Center Tyler Biadasz at the positon. However, because of mixed results there has been comments for the franchise to replace him and Lindstrom has a great chance to make some noise early.
Although he may be smaller than most Cs in the league, Lindstrom thrives in his technical aspect of the game and he can beef up in size within time. Lindstrom should be a player the franchise is excited about, and given he finished as the second-best C behind Iowa Center Tyler Linderbaum (who some mocked to the Cowboys), there is no doubt he will be a future starter.
Boston College C Alec Lindstrom (Chris Lindstrom's little brother) has some nasty to him. Flattens the linebacker and gives him a little extra. pic.twitter.com/E51oAleljX
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) August 2, 2020
Lastly, we have Texas Tech Jonathan Garibay, who's getting heavy love from Cowboy fans all across the internet. After having to live through the rollercoaster play from Kicker Greg Zuerlein for a couple of seasons, the club made a change and cut him this past offseason.
While some people called for the club to draft LSU K Cade York or Texas Kicker/Punter Cameron Dicker, the team waited until after the draft to address the positon and signed Garibay. A little bit of unknown player, Garibay was quickly known after they saw his stats and his huge 62-Yard GW FG he had against Iowa State.
And now with the news that the franchise cut K Chris Naggar, it could be Garibay's job to lose.
Long field goal and gets cheers. It's like Jonathan Garibay has done this before. pic.twitter.com/tTBVNXwrqf
— Carlos Silva Jr. (@cmsilvajr) March 31, 2022
So what do you think Cowboy fans? What are your bold predictions you have about this draft class?
