The Dallas Cowboys had to move on from promising UDFA RB Jahad Thomas to add depth at WR, signing Javontee Herndon and QB Luke McCown on Friday to add depth where needed.
After scouting McCown right here, I took a look at Herndon – who debuted with the Chargers in 2015 as a UDFA out of Arkansas but missed 2016 with a knee injury.
Here is Javontee Herndon’s full scouting report, as he’ll be quickly thrown into the fire of a fierce camp competition for spots at receiver.
https://streamable.com/uudjx
Herndon simply does not have a standout trait – getting his chance on an injury-depleted Chargers team in 2015 – but was given a lot of chances to make plays in this scheme.
San Diego used Herndon pretty often as a gadget slot player, handing him jet sweeps and throwing bubble screens. Not only is this a role pretty well covered in Dallas currently by much more explosive players such as Cole Beasley and Ryan Switzer, but Herndon simply does not have the speed or burst to effectively execute these plays how you’d like.
What Javontee Herndon will give the Cowboys out of the slot is some toughness and a solid catch radius, as he knows how to use his length to separate. When allowed to run routes out of the slot, Herndon took full advantage of off coverage to show some fluidity out of breaks and secure the ball with impressively strong hands.
https://streamable.com/bwvjk
Herndon won’t be much of a threat after the catch, often going down on first contact due to his lack of speed and athleticism. This did not stop him from reading the defenses in front of him to settle in against zone and provide a big target underneath or carry his man across the field.
Javontee shows some of the traits to be much more of a vertical player if his release off of the line was more fluid, but unfortunately it takes him a while to get going as he plays with virtually no burst or foot speed.
https://streamable.com/v7p85
The Cowboys need WRs that can line up comfortably at multiple spots to navigate their way through five preseason games and properly evaluate their offensive depth. While second-year player Andy Jones and rookie Noah Brown have generated more buzz as pass catchers to watch through camp and the preseason, Javontee Herndon is going to do everything he can to put his name in this mix as a solid player with reliable hands and an above average feel for the game.
