The 2017 NFL Draft is just 23 days away, which means it is time for the Cowboys and teams around the league to start narrowing down their approach to this crucial part of their roster build. When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, their roster is once again pretty well-rounded on the depth charts ahead of the draft – looking to use the same best player available approach that saw their 2016 class propel Dallas to a 13-3 record.
One major area of concern for this team is in the secondary though, an overarching issue on Rod Marinelli’s defensive side of the ball that the Cowboys are committed to addressing. A simple look at this list of pre-draft visits shows that commitment to the back-end of their defense, and when paired with Jerry Jones’ recent comments on avoiding “red shirt” players in this draft, its easy to see why top CB talents like Washington’s Sidney Jones and UCLA’s Fabian Moreau could both be out of consideration for the Cowboys.
Jones is off draft board and Moreau on hold till medical rechecks https://t.co/B42X9CINoe
— Birddog26 (@Birddog26) April 3, 2017
Reportedly, Jones is already off of the Cowboys’ board entirely after tearing his Achilles at his recent pro day. Sidney Jones was a top talent in this loaded class of ready-to-start cornerbacks in the 2017 Draft, and now he will likely slide in hopes of becoming a steal for some lucky team in 2018.
VIDEO: Sidney jones going down with a leg injury at @UW_Football pro day #komonews pic.twitter.com/qIrGni82dq
— Paul KOMO news (@Paul4KOMOnews) March 11, 2017
The main reason the Cowboys were fine with moving on from four secondary players in Morrris Claiborne, Brandon Carr, J.J. Wilcox, and Barry Church this offseason is because of this staggering depth at both CB and S in the draft. While Jones’ injury takes away from the depth available specifically at CB in the first round for the Cowboys slotted to pick 28th, the same can be said about Fabian Moreau.
Also injured at his UCLA pro day, Moreau tore a pectoral muscle on the bench press. His status for being able to contribute at the NFL level in 2017 is uncertain, as is his status on Dallas’ draft board.
With some of the most natural and skilled cover abilities of any cornerback prospect in recent memory, Moreau will try to shake off durability issues that have plagued him in this draft process after skipping the Senior Bowl with an undisclosed minor injury and now suffering a new injury at his pro day by getting good news at the draft’s medical rechecks this month.
Taking place on April 13th and 14th, Moreau can potentially earn a high place on the Cowboys’ draft board, or fall nicely to them in a position in the second round.
Regardless, these two otherwise NFL-ready CBs merely scratch the surface when it comes to the defensive talent the Dallas Cowboys will have to choose from in the upcoming draft – not shying away from telling the league that they’re out to build a top defense to pair with their already dominant offense.
Sorry to hear he’s off the board. I’d keep him on the board, but only as a day 3 pick, preferably in the 6th or 7th. I’m crossing my fingers on Moreau. He’s got the talent to be one of the best CBs in the NFL, but you have to stay healthy. It appears most of his stuff is soft tissue items, so perhaps his body hasn’t finished growing. I’m hoping he gets good news and Dallas considers him. If not, we’ll have to find another diamond in this group.
Sean I remember when the San Francisco 49’ers, started 3 rookies, with Dwight Hicks, playing the role that Byron Jones, is currently playing for the Cowboys, in 1981, that happens to be the year the 49’ers, went to their first Super Bowl, with HOF Qb Joe Montana.
The three rookies was Ronnie Lott (HOF) , Eric Wright (Pro Bowl), and Carlton Williamson (Pro Bowl). Now I’m telling my age.
I truly believe this is the way the Cowboys should go, as well, with the added, additons of more War Daddy’s, which results in numerous Super Bowls. It’s time to end the 21 year drought.