Should the Dallas Cowboys Avoid Drafting Players With Injury Concerns?

The 2020 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the more interesting ones than any other in the history of the event. The coronavirus pandemic has put a stop to pro days, private workouts, and even medical rechecks. The latter of which may be the most concerning.

In the past, the Dallas Cowboys have been a team who have proven time and time again they are willing to take a chance drafting players with injury concerns. Will 2020 be any different? With the lack of medical rechecks, they should be wary with using this tactic this year.

I don’t know about you, but I think the Dallas Cowboys should avoid drafting players in the Top 100 with any kind of serious injury concerns. Without the same kind of medical reports they’re used to the risk involved heightens more than in years past.

I decided to identify a few of the players who could be draft in the Top 100 with injury concerns below. There’s no way of knowing whether or not any of these prospects are on the Dallas Cowboys radar right now, but it wouldn’t surprise me.

Let’s take a look…

K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

K’Lavon Chaisson missed all of 2018 due to an ACL injury and suffered through ankle injuries in 2019. As a potential Top 15 pick who could slide to the Dallas Cowboys in the first-round, they better have done their due diligence about this trend of injuries in consecutive years.

Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

Javon Kinlaw underwent hip labrum surgery after the 2018 season and had to pull out of the 2020 Senior Bowl due to knee tendinitis – something that many believe could be a serious issue. Those issues are pretty big red flags, especially for someone who has to battle it out in the trenches.

Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Jeff Gladney apparently played most of the 2019 season with an injured meniscus, something he recently just underwent surgery to repair. The Dallas Cowboys should be able to do their due diligence on him as a local prospect, which could ease any injury concerns.

Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

Terrell Lewis’ 2019 season was pretty fantastic, but it doesn’t erase the fact the two previous years ended with season-ending injuries to his knee and elbow. There’s no doubt he’s talented, but does the reward outweigh the risk?

Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

Two medical red shirts, two season-ending injuries in both 2017 (hamstring) and 2018 (Lisfranc foot injury). Antoine Winfield Jr. is one the top safety prospects in this year’s draft class, but his vast history of injuries are concerning to say the least.

Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

Jaylon Johnson has only missed one game during his career at Utah, but he’s also had two offseason shoulder surgeries to the same shoulder during that time span. It’s a problem that’s nagged him dating back to high school, thus creating a pretty big red flag the Cowboys would have to sign off on.

Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

Lucas Niang’s 2019 season was cut short due to a torn labrum that required surgery. The concern with him is whether or not this injury could be a long-term issue. As a local prospect, the Dallas Cowboys should be able to get to the root of this problem better than any other team.

Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

Bryce Hall suffered a pretty gruesome ankle injury in 2019, which should have a pretty big impact on his draft status. If interested, the Dallas Cowboys might have to dig deep to learn how he has recuperated from this injury. Without medical rechecks, that could prove difficult.

Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina

Bryan Edwards’ injuries are relatively new. After missing the 2020 Senior Bowl due to a recent knee scope, he had to undergo surgery on a broken foot he sustained during training. He may have to start out the season on the PUP list as a result, but long-term should be fine.

Would you draft players in the Top 100 with injury concerns?