The eyes of the football world, per usual, will be on the Dallas Cowboys when the NFL Draft rolls around on April 23. If one thing has been true leading up to the draft is that the Cowboys have shown interest in several Alabama players. They have virtually met with Wide Receiver Henry Ruggs, Cornerback Trevon Diggs, and Defensive Tackle Raekwon Davis. Now, the Cowboys are doing their research on Alabama Edge Rusher Terrell Lewis, and with their need for a pass rusher coming off the perimeter, it isn't hard to see why.
Terrell Lewis @_Real24_ video conferences w/ Bears, Lions, Bengals, Titans, Rams, Ravens, Jaguars, Seahawks. Visited Eagles. Talked to Texans at combine, Sr. Bowl. Cowboys, Patriots have done a lot of homework on him @seniorbowl @AlabamaFTBL @SIGSports https://t.co/iSUpU3r0Ab
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 14, 2020
In 2016, Lewis played in a reserved role as a freshman and totaled 11 tackles and a sack. In 2017, he suffered an upper-body injury in the season opener vs Florida State and missed the next 10 games. He would return for the Iron Bowl vs Auburn and played in the postseason, getting his first start in the 2018 CFP National Championship Game vs Georgia. He finished with 16 tackles and a sack. In the summer before his junior season, he suffered a torn ACL and took a medical redshirt. In his redshirt junior season in 2019, he was named a starter at outside linebacker and was on the Butkus Award watchlist. He finished with 31 tackles (11 tackles for loss), six sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, two passes defended, and a fumble recovery.
Watch “Alabama LB Terrell Lewis Highlights 🐘 ᴴᴰ” on YouTube
Lewis doesn't have a ton of experience having only played 26 games in college, and multiple injuries that cost him two seasons is a concern, but his talent is undeniable. He's a cyborg at 6'5 262 pounds. He has good speed coming off the ball and uses his long arms to keep offensive tackles at bay, and added with his power it makes him an effective bull rusher. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he displayed his athleticism posting a 37-inch vertical and a 124-inch broad jump. Also, he has a lethal inside spin move in his arsenal.
Scouting report according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein
“The evaluation requires both projection and a small leap of faith due to durability concerns after he missed most of two full seasons. He needs to fill out his long, athletic build with more girth and muscle to help set stronger edges and hold his ground against downhill rushing attacks. He's played in just 26 games, so he's less technically sound than most Alabama defenders at this stage, but he was still productive and showed growth as a player in-season. With more coaching and development as a rusher, he should be able to pair traits with the skill to become a future NFL starter, provided his health issues are in the past.”
The Cowboys will more than likely go heavy on defense early in next week's draft. When the second round comes about, Lewis is a name to keep an eye on if the Cowboys want to add more talent rushing the passer from the perimeter.
