As I've stated many times, my projected first round pick for the Cowboys is Idaho guard Mike Iupati, however, that's merely an opinion. Someone once said to me “Opinions are like buttholes, everyone's got one and most of them stink.” So another popular opinion among experts has the Dallas Cowboys taking Safety Taylor Mays of USC. So I thought we'd start our series of Player Profiles here and analyze this pick.
Taylor Mays (6-3, 220, Safety-USC)
Why they take him: Mays is an extremely rangy safety. He clocks a 4.45 40-yard dash and is an incredible physical specimen. His play has showcased some terrific abilities from jumping to movement. He has proven to be durable and have terrific work ethic while always keeping the team first which would match the new Cowboys locker room style to a tee. His ability to play the run is also attractive.
Why they don't: Mays is your typical Roy Williams cliché. Despite his upside he has been inconsistent making questionable decisions and plays. Often caught going for the big hit instead of the safe tackle, Mays can easily become a liability at the next level. Many experts believe that he will have an issue playing man coverage with receivers due to his technique.
Final Word: Mays is a tremendous talent and may be hard to pass up. However, he is just not what this team needs. This team needs a safety that won't be a liability in pass coverage and will be reliable when backs or receivers threaten that last line of defense. Mays has many strengths but his weaknesses ruin Cowboys compatibility. If they do take him, I'd be surprised if the relationship lasted longer than his rookie contract.
