The Coronavirus or Covid 19 pandemic – whatever you want to call it – has made things really difficult as far as which prospects the Dallas Cowboys have shown an interest in throughout the draft process this year. Luckily for you though, I’ve been keeping a close eye on who they have met with formally, informally, and even virtually leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft.
Without the usual tools of in-person workouts, allotted 30 pre-draft visits, and Dallas Day for local prospects I had to get creative and pay a little extra attention to who the Dallas Cowboys have shown even the slightest bit of interest in this year. Now that it’s officially Draft Week, I thought I’d share with all of you what I’ve come up with.
Prospects Dallas Cowboys have reportedly “met” with…
* UPDATED 4/21/2020
QUARTERBACK
- Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
- James Morgan, Florida International
RUNNING BACK
- D’Andre Swift, Georgia
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
- Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State
- Darius Anderson, TCU
WIDE RECEIVER
- Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
- Denzel Mims, Baylor
- Jalen Reagor, TCU
- KJ Hamler, Penn State
- Michael Pittman Jr., USC
- Tee Higgins, Clemson
- K.J. Hill, Ohio State
- Josh Hammond, Florida
TIGHT END
- Devin Asiasi, UCLA
- Cheyenne O’Grady, Arkansas
- Colby Parkinson, Stanford
- Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
- Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
- Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
- Yasr Durant, Missouri
- Trey Adams, Washington
- Evin Ksierzarczyk, Buffalo
GUARD
- Tremayne Anchrum, Clemson
- Cameron Clark, Charlotte
- Cordel Iwuagwu, TCU
CENTER
- Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
- Cohl Cabral, Arizona State
DEFENSIVE END
- K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
- Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
- Terrell Lewis, Alabama
- Curtis Weaver, Boise State
- Jonathan Greenard, Florida
- Trevis Gipson, Tulsa
- Alton Robinson, Syracuse
- Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
- Chauncey Rivers, Mississippi State
- Qaadir Sheppard, Ole Miss
- Kendall Coleman, Syracuse
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
- Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
- Marlon Davidson, Auburn
- Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
- Raekwon Davis, Alabama
- James Lynch, Baylor
- Rashard Lawrence, LSU
- Khalil Davis, Nebraska
- Broderick Washington, Texas Tech
- Josiah Coatney, Ole Miss
LINEBACKER
- Zack Baun, Wisconsin
- Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
- Logan Wilson, Wyoming
- De’Jon Harris, Arkansas
CORNERBACK
- C.J. Henderson, Florida
- A.J. Terrell, Clemson
- Jeff Gladney, TCU
- Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
- Kristian Fulton, LSU
- Trevon Diggs, Alabama
- Troy Pride, Notre Dame
- Stanford Samuels III, Florida State
- Grayland Arnold, Baylor
- Lavert Hill, Michigan
- Thakarius Keyes, Tulane
SAFETY
- Xavier McKinney, Alabama
- Grant Delpit, LSU
- Terrell Burgess, Utah
- Kenny Robinson, West Virginia/XFL
- Brandon Jones, Texas
- J.R. Reed, Georgia
- Josh Metellus, Michigan
- Jordan Fuller, Ohio State
- Shyheim Carter, Alabama
James Morgan and Trey Adams would be awesome additions. Would have been nice to see them meet with Damon Arnette and Cameron Dantzler
There’s really no way of knowing exactly who the Cowboys have met with. These are just the names I’ve been able to confirm through a variety of “sources”.
Fair enough! Thanks for sharing. I’m ready to be hurt again and have my hopes up for Adams. If they can somehow pull that off and snag Kirk as well (I believe the Cards are eyeing CeeDee to reunite with Kyler), then go with Arnette/Dantzler at 82, Morgan at 123, maybe Thaddeus at 164? Then Afrenee Jenning at 179 and hopefully Trey Adams falls in their lap at 231. How successful would you consider this haul and if not at all, what would you change? Thanks again!
I’d consider that a successful draft.
Trade back pickup more picks and draft zack Baun.
I’m a big Zack Baun fan as well, so I’d definitely be okay with that. I’d even take him at 17.
Trade back to 23 and get 2 3rds and a 5th. They would do it if a QB is still available. Then trade back to Ravens 29th spot or Packers 30th spot and get a 3rd 4th and 5th rounder. Still a bunch of talent available with that 30th pick.
Maybe they can get 34 and 44 from Indy if they want Love
I doubt the Cowboys draft a QB that high. I think they have more pressing needs elsewhere. If they draft a QB it will probably be in the mid to late rounds.
I meant if Indy wants to move up for Love, Dallas might have a trade partner to get back. Get picks 34 and 44 in return
That’s a lot of trading. Which players are you trading away from? That’s something you really have to keep in mind. You don’t want to trade away from more talented players just to accumulate more picks.
It is time to reload the offensive line ! Draft Center and Right Tackle!
I think a developmental OT with starting potential to eventually replace Tyron Smith make sense. The Cowboys probably feel okay with what they have at center in Joe Looney and Connor McGovern, but may target someone like Cohl Cabral (Arizona State) late in the draft for more depth. Other than that, I really don’t see them using much draft capital, if any, on the OL.
Duverney and Proche would have been nice to see but we’ll see
Maybe they already know all they need to about these two WRs since they’re both somewhat local prospects from Texas.
I could see trey adams in the second round or marlon davidson in the second
first got to go for K’Lavon Chaisson
Yetur Gross-Matos
Terrell Lewis,
I think Trey Adams has way too many injury concerns to get drafted that early and Davidson could sneak into the first-round. As far as the EDGE rushers you mentioned, I think Chaisson is the pick at 17 for the Cowboys if he’s still on the board. And I like Zack Baun a lot more than either Gross-Matos or Terrell Lewis.
Zack Baun at #17 – a versatile difference maker. Most mock drafts tend to focus on need alone, yet ignore other risks to the existing roster. DALLAS’ MAJOR 2020 ROSTER RISKS: 1) Gregory/Smith reclamation projects may fail. 2) LVE neck issue may resurface (this is the same degenerative disease that ended Michael Irvin’s career). Zack Baun would mitigate both of these risks. He has been pigeonholed as a linebacker and does not appear in PFF’s top 10 edge rushers although his 12.5 sacks last season far exceeds eight of the players listed, and was exceeded only by Chase Young and Curtis Weaver.
The most recommended EDGE in most Dallas mock drafts is K’Lavon Chaisson. Yet Zack’s college performance (all years) are almost double K’Lavon in every important area, such as total tackles (154 vs 99), solo tackles (99 vs 46), tackles for loss (30.5 vs 19), sacks (15 vs 9.5), interceptions (2 vs 0), QB hurries (18 vs 9), forced fumbles (3 vs 1) and fumble recoveries (1 vs 0).
It is easy to forget how many former 1st round players haven’t worked out, yet the percentage is large. It is my opinion, and only an opinion, that K’Lavon Chaisson will not be exceptional. Baun’s measurables suggests that he is better. Watching him on film and reading his bio gives a sense of his intangibles – his football IQ is high permitting him to read the opposition quickly and sometimes before the snap. I believe that he is driven to work hard and has a motor that doesn’t quit until the whistle blows. He is rarely out of position. I believe that these intangibles are what sets him apart and explains much of his outsize performance statistics.
Count me in on the Zack Baun train at 17 for the Cowboys as well. Everything you said is exactly why I’ve been a fan of his for months now. Don’t forget though, he’s also an outstanding special teams player. In my book, that increases his value even more.
The problem with your “college performance” stats comparisons is Baun has three years worth of stats, where Chaisson has just basically two years worth. Chaisson only played one game in 2018. So really just three to two. Not saying Baun is not a very good prospect, but that comparison is not a true reflection of Chaisson performance. Now if you want to take just the stats for 2019, Baun looks better; tackles, TFL, sacks, etc.
But IMHO, if you want a true DE, take a good look at Gross-Matos. In his last two years had 35 TFL for 173 yds. While he has the quickness to bend the edge to the QB, he is also bigger and stronger to hold up at the point. AND has enough athleticism to stand up and play in space. Would not be at all unhappy if we netted him.
VAM – Point well made. However forget the three college years and look at last season only Baun still outperformed Chaisson in key stats: tackles (76 vs 60), solo tackles (53 vs 34), tackles for loss (19.5 vs 13.5), sacks (12.5 vs 6.5), passes broken up (2 vs 2), QB hurries (10 vs 6), interceptions (1 vs 0) which Baun took to the house, forced fumbles (1 vs 0).
Also my central point was the 2020 roster involved risks, including LVE’s neck problems resurfacing or perhaps age catching up with Lee. Could Gross-Matos play EDGE and fill in for LVE or Lee at LB as well as Baun could?
Baun is a versatile player with a very high football IQ. He will fit perfectly into multi-scheme defenses that Dallas and the league is evolving to. If the 2020 roster exceeds expectations, imagine D-Law, Gregory or Smith, McCoy and Baun lined up in the box on passing downs.
DonB, I mentioned that last year stats advantage for Baun over Chaisson in my post, and I agree Baun has position flex and is a very good prospect. Would not be unhappy if we drafted Baun, but would want to draft down, don’t see him as a 17 overall guy. But if I had to pick between Baun and YGM, I like the bigger guy, partially because if Smith and Gregory both do not work out, he is more their size player and can hold the edge. Just a preference.
Well let’s hope for great draft for our Cowboys!
Agree with DonB. BUAN OVER CHAISSON ALL DAY. ANYONE PICKING CHAISSON OVER BAUN IN THE DRAFT FOR COWBOYS SHOULD BE FIRED. REMEMBER DALLAS DRAFTED TACO OVER TJ WATT. DONT LET THAT MISTAKE HAPPEN AGAIN.
I agree with your ideas not so much the caps lock. Lol I’m not so big on chaisson. He’s gonna be a good player but not the caliber of baun. As a buckeye fan he was an absolute menace in both the regular season game and big 10 championship. Hypotheticaly speaking if we take chaisson over baun it’s like taking taco over tj watt again in my eyes. Only I think chaisson is prob better than taco but baun is the clear pick here. #17 I think is too high for baun but if we could drop back and get baun and a CB/S? WINNER
I hope The Boys take Lynn Bowden Jr out of Kentucky in the 3rd or 4th if he is still around. The guy is a baller. Punt returns, WR, RB, and QB. Who better to replace Randell Cobb than a bigger version the versatile former Wildcat.
I really like Lynn Bowden as well. I don’t know if he’s ready to step in and take over the slot position right away, but he’s definitely someone the Cowboys could manufacture touches for. I think he’d be more of a Tavon Austin replacement rather than a Randall Cobb one to begin with.
What about amik robertso at cb late round pick
I really like him, but I think the Cowboys already have enough nickel CBs.
What about amik robertsonat cb
Give me kinlaw or cj Henderson
Yes for me on Henderson, no on Kinlaw. Without updated medical reports I think taking Kinlaw is too big of a risk 17. That’s just my opinion though.
If Javon Kinlaw is there at 17 don’t hesitate, if not trade back maybe with Miami at 26 and get an additional 2nd rounder. With the 26th pick take DT Blackstock from TCU, with 2nd round picks go after Terrell Lewis from Alabama and his teammate Trevon Diggs. 3rd round Safety Kyle Dugger. 4th round LB Willie Gay Jr from Mississippi State. 5th round center Diaz from Wisconsin. 7th round or as I drafted QB Kelly Bryant from Missouri.
Other than Kyle Dugger and maybe Willie Gay Jr. I prefer other players over the ones you mentioned. I’m not drafting a player with an injury history this year with lack of updated medical reports. And I personally don’t like Trevon Diggs. That’s just my opinion though for what it’s worth.
Is there a way we can get Henderson and Gross-Matos? It would be awesome!
I hope we don’t waste any early round picks on edge rushers or LBs!! The best player to draft in round 1 is Xavier Mckinney!! Then we can get Aj Terrell or Damon Arnett in round 2 and then get Kj hill or Van Jefferson in round 3!! Then get maybe Alton Robinson in round 4!! But I’d like to get Jalen Hurts too!! But as long as we get Xavier Mckinney in the 1st round I’ll be happy!!