Not everybody can be winners at the NFL Combine. Sometimes the big stage and the pressure of the event gets to these players and they just have a bad outing. That doesn’t mean they don’t have a future in the NFL or that their careers are over, but it could end up benefiting teams like the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys are known as a team who are willing to take a chance on players who have seen their draft stock take a hit for some reason or another. They will take a chance on talent regardless of background if they believe that particular player can help their team. That’s why today I decided to put two together a list of some of the losers from this year’s NFL Combine.
Let’s take a look…
Defensive Candidates
Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt
Entering the NFL Combine, Joejuan Williams was one of the hotter names in this year’s cornerback draft class. Teams were intrigued with his size (6’4″, 211), but had questions about his athletic ability and the technical issues he showed on tape. Unfortunately for him, his performance didn’t do him any favors, particularly his 4.64 40-yard dash. It’s not a terrible time for a CB his size, but not great either. This of course could be good news for the Dallas Cowboys because we all know Kris Richard loves those tall lengthy corners.
Jachai Polite, DE, Florida
I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of a players NFL Combine going any worse than what Jachai Polite’s did. There are multiple reports that he was terrible in interviews and a lot of the scouts on hand said his decision to pull himself out of several events due to a hamstring injury he faked was “bullshit”. He was supposed to be one of the more explosive edge rushers in this draft class, but his 4.84 40-yard dash and 1.71 10-yard split suggests otherwise. His draft stock is supposedly tumbling and several teams have reportedly taken him off their board altogether. If he were to fall all the way to the Dallas Cowboys in the second-round, he’d be hard to pass up.
Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
How Dre’Mont Jones performed at the NFL Combine was supposed to solidify him as one of the better undersized defensive tackles in the 2019 draft class. Unfortunately for him, all it did was raise more concerns about his past play and his future in the league. At 281 pounds, Jones’ game is supposed to be predicated on his quickness. The numbers he put up in the different events were surprisingly pretty pedestrian which will probably cause him to slip in the draft. This could be good news for the Dallas Cowboys who need help at the three-technique. Now they may be able to get him a few round later instead of in the second-round where he was projected.
Offensive Candidates
Elijah Holyfield, RB, Georgia
No one expected Elijah Holyfield to blow people away with his speed at the NFL Combine, but no one really expected him to run an embarrassing 4.78 40-yard dash either. To make matters worst, his 30″ vertical jump and 9’6″ broad jump were pretty pedestrian for a running back as well. These numbers are concerning in more ways than one considering how good his tape is, but it could help him slide right into the Dallas Cowboys lap in the mid-round range. He has a chance to redeem himself at his Pro Day, but for now his poor performance at the Combine could make him an intriguing option as Zeke’s backup.
Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
The bad luck for Georgia players continued with Riley Ridley and the way he performed at the NFL Combine. Unfortunately for him, he tested like an average to below average athlete in nearly all of the events, but it was his embarrassing 4.58 40-yard dash that raised eyebrows. He is still likely a Day 2 prospect, but he wasn’t supposed to be on the board for the Dallas Cowboys at 58 before the combine. The Cowboys could be in the market for a receiver that can play both in the slot and on the outside, and Ridley is someone capable of doing just that.
Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia
I promise you I’m not picking on Georgia players purposely, but it seems like nearly all of their skill players had a poor performance at the NFL Combine. Isaac Nauta was supposed to be in that next tier of tight end prospects behind Noah Fant, T. J. Hockenson, and Irv Smith, but with the way he tested it could cause him to slide a little further. There were no questions about his ability as a blocker translating into the NFL, but there were concerns about his athleticism and pass catching ability. His 4.91 40-yard dash was a huge fail, and unfortunately he finished as one of the worst TE performers in the other events as well. If the Cowboys still like him though, they could get him at a discounted price.
