Here are five things you may not know about the Dallas Cowboys’ newest second-round CB, Trevon Diggs.
The Dallas Cowboys had a need at cornerback when Byron Jones left for much greener pastures in southern Florida. When the team bypassed defense in the first round, corner remained a huge problem.
Dallas used Day 2 of the draft to address the issue when they selected Alabama CB Trevon Diggs.
Here are five facts to help get to know Diggs:
He is the brother of Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs
Trevon was in the crowd for the Minnesota Miracle win for the Vikings in the NFC Divisional round during the 2017 season. Being an athlete appears to run in the family.
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Diggs is comfortable on the biggest stage
Playing at Alabama, Diggs was routinely in the spotlight and played for two national championships, helping win one title in 2018. He won’t shy away from the big moments on the field.
He played all four years for the Crimson Tide
Diggs was as a jack-of-all-trades type when he arrived on campus, garnering playing time as a true freshman in 2016. Diggs lined up as a CB, as well as wide receiver, even scoring a touchdown on offense. He also saw the field as a return specialist as a freshman.
Diggs was highly decorated during his senior season
After missing time because of a broken foot that ended his 2018 season, Diggs recovered to play in every game during his senior year. The stud CB had three interceptions, including one score, while made First Team All-SEC in 2019. Diggs was also named as third team All-American last year.
Diggs has elite traits for the position
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Diggs has the size to match-up with today’s prototypical WRs. However, his best trait is his arm length to help him on jump balls and to knock away passes even if beaten on the play.
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi
ESPN’s draft expert thinks Dallas continues to work on their secondary.
The Dallas Cowboys have been linked to Alabama safety Xavier McKinney over much of the draft process. Over the last month and a half, other names have bumped him out of the limelight as ideas of other defensive players bubbled up, or thoughts the team could augment their wideout corps with one of the draft’s elite names.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. has steadfastly refused to budge off of the connection though, and on the day of the draft, his final mock remains consistent, sending the Crimson Tide’s secondary star to the Lone Star state.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Cowboys’ secondary has been depleted this offseason, and McKinney is the best pure safety in this draft. If one of the top wide receivers falls to No. 17, could Dallas pass?
Here, Kiper has Dallas passing on wideout Henry Ruggs III, also of Alabama, and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw of South Carolina.
This offseason, Dallas nabbed former Mike McCarthy first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on a one-year deal to be the quarterback of Mike Nolan’s defense. He’s expected to line up next to Xavier Woods, who’s started the last two years for Dallas at free safety, with both players sharing centerfield duties.
McKinney has experience playing everywhere in Alabama’s secondary, including the box and the slot, and sometimes out wide. He landed as the No. 20 overall prospect on our Cowboys-specific Big Board and the top safety in the class, barely edging out LSU’s Grant Delpit and Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield, Jr.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler calls McKinney the best safety prospect as well.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Alabama, McKinney played free safety in Nick Saban’s 3-4 base scheme, lining up two-high, single-high and dropping into the box in nickel/dime situations. He had a wide array of responsibilities in the secondary and created 10 turnover-worthy plays (five interceptions, five forced fumbles) the last two years. McKinney is explosive downhill and a reliable open-field tackler, finding his center and dropping ball carriers.
He does a nice job in coverage vs. backs and tight ends with solid ball skills, although he doesn’t always play to his athletic profile when matched up with receivers. Overall, McKinney is an instinctive, full-speed ahead defender with the functional range and diagnose skills to put himself in position to make plays, projecting as an interchangeable safety who should start from Day 1.
The final 2020 mock drafts, a flashback to the Johnny Manziel-to-Dallas near miss, and the trade value chart started by Jimmy Johnson.
NFL Draft Eve brought no shortage of eleventh-hour revelations and rumblings in Cowboys Nation. But it is the final opportunity for all the mock drafters to call their shots. What Jerry Jones and Company will do with the their seven picks is anybody’s guess, but there’s intel that suggests all of it is fair game, from secondary to linebacker… to, even, quarterback.
From ironing out last-minute technical issues to the all-important last press conference that may reveal the front office’s strategy, the Cowboys’ draft table is basically set. The club even cleared two more places with a pair of day-before cuts. Flashback to the draft that almost brought Johnny Football to Big D, and check out the pricing system that revolutionized how every team now approaches draft-pick trades, courtesy of Jimmy Johnson. And after all that draft-day appetite-whetting, find out why one business icon ultimately thinks the NFL won’t be getting down to business on the field any time soon.
It’s no secret that the Cowboys have had communications with quarterback Jalen Hurts ahead of the the 2020 NFL Draft. Patrik Walker breaks down how this has nothing to do with QB1… and everything to do with QB2.
The annual pre-draft press conference with the Dallas Cowboys front office is usually an important sneak peek behind the curtain. Find out their philosophy and thoughts headed into the 2020 NFL Draft, including Jerry Jones’s own take on the chances of trading the team’s first-round pick for a veteran free agent.
John Owning takes a very deep look into some of the possible bigger scores of the first round for the Cowboys. Trade back? Premier corner? Multiple possibilities will be available to Dallas at 17.
And then there were two. The team has waived Tristan Vizcaino, who was signed to a futures deal in January. Since then, the club has signed veteran Greg Zuerlein and retained the services of Kai Forbath, setting up a two-man positional battle once camp begins.
The experts are making their final predictions for the 2020 NFL Draft and the Cowboys. Here, Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun is selected with pick number 17.
https://t.co/fiDTYirx1d reveals 6️⃣ defensive players that make sense for the team either at No. 17, or a little later in the first round if a trade is involved.
The Dallas wide receiver room is a little less populated with the club cutting Lance Lenoir. The 2017 undrafted free agent never really caught on with the Cowboys, with special teams play seeming to offer his most likely route to a gameday role. Clearly, the front office is now looking elsewhere for 2020.
It was revolutionary when the Cowboys coach came up with the idea, but now every team in the league uses (more or less) his system of assigning numerical values- price tags, almost- to draft picks. Here’s the cheat sheet for what every pick in 2020’s draft is worth, making putting together (or grading) trades a matter of basic math.
Amidst a world in flux, the Cowboys have adjusted admirably and taken care of plenty of needs headed into draft weekend. Take a look back at some of the big moves made, along with final preparations for the 2020 Draft.
NFL.com’s Judy Battista recounts the tense moments in 2014’s green room as Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel waited for his name to be called. Jerry Jones had wanted him at 16, and, depending on the version of the story, it took son Stephen actually snatching the card out of his father’s hand for the club to select Zack Martin instead.
Everybody likes predictions. But everybody loves bold predictions! Bleacher Report calls their shots: Jordan Love will go before Justin Herbert, Derek Carr will become a draft day trade victim, and wide receiver Tee Higgins will be the steal of the draft.
This weekend’s draft will be a nice appetizer, but fans may be waiting a while for the main meal when it comes to the NFL season. Microsoft’s co-founder says sporting events will be the last of the societal norms to return due to the high risk of close-range contagion.
Changes to the Cowboys defensive philosophy could see Jaylon Smith rusher the passer more. Ex XFL player Kenny Robinson gets interviewed.
Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones has made it clear that the team is interested in versatile defenders and could use a designated pass rusher position, which sounds ideal for linebacker Jaylon Smith. Safety is a position the team will target in this week’s draft. That could include a former XFL safety, Kenny Robinson.
Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson isn’t as heralded as Jeff Okudah or CJ Henderson but could provide value at the position on Day 2 . With an all-time receiving class entering the league, and a need in the slot, the Cowboys would be wise to add another weapon for Dak Prescott to go with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. But what if Mike McCarthy is looking for a bigger slot player?
With the NFL exploring every option due to the coronavirus pandemic, Dallas could be a prime location to consider moving the entire league to. The possibilities and pitfalls are many.
The mothership breaks down what they consider to be the field of possibles for Dallas at No. 17 and it’s all defense and pass catchers. Three corners, three safeties, three defensive tackles, three edge rushers, four wideouts and a pass-rushing linebacker.
Nothing Cowboys’ specific, but several trends of recent mocks paint a certain picture about the content that will be revealed in the first round on Thursday.
Kevin Brady breaks three SEC defenders who could hear their name’s called, Florida’s CJ Henderon, LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson and Alabama’s Xavier McKinney.
Xavier Woods has improved every season he’s been in the that, but without a breakout season the Cowboys could look for another safety early in the draft.
Dallas Cowboys news for April 16, 2020. One week away from the NFL draft. Mock drafts are getting heavier and the Cowboys have options.
The 2020 NFL Draft is now less than a week away and NFL fans along with the media have reached their breaking point and have exhausted their last bit of patience. It’s almost here!
The mock drafts are kicking into overdrive as the internet is trying not to psyche themselves out of their own respective original thoughts. There are dozens of possibilities that the Dallas Cowboys can go with at pick 17 but the question remains if it would be the best fit. In today’s news the mothership hints at a possible wide receiver that has great upside and while NFL.com agrees with the position pick, the player selection is not the same. Stepping away from the draft for a second, Bleacher Report is saying the 2020 Cowboys are playoff bound with their over/under win total. Conor Williams is making strides towards a bigger and better version of himself as he recovers from his season ending knee injury.
Randall Cobb leaving Dallas left the Cowboys WR room barren after Cooper and Gallup. The Cowboys are linked to a number of potential WR targets in the draft. Clemson’s Tee Higgins would offer a skill set the Cowboys don’t currently have.
NFL Network’s draft expert Daniel Jeremiah suggests another potential wide receiver target for the Cowboys. Jefferson is extremely versatile, and could line up in the slot or outside should the Cowboys upgrade their number three wide out.
Losing Travis Frederick to retirement means the rest of the Cowboys O-Line has to step up in 2020, starting with Connor Williams. Learn the latest about his recovery and who else could help out along the offensive line.
Preseason win totals are a fun way to project how competitive a team will be in the upcoming season. The Cowboys sit at 9.5 wins in this latest projection, with only a handful teams above them.
My triumphant 10 LBs (overall):
1. Isaiah Simmons (3) 2. Patrick Queen (18) 3. Kenneth Murray (20) 4. Zack Baun (33) 5. Jordyn Brooks (43) 6. Logan Wilson (63) 7. Josh Uche (75) 8. Malik Harrison (88) 9. Joe Bachie (94) 10. Shaquille Quarterman (97)https://t.co/GZderz0kgd
Cowboys fans are debating if they should select a wide receiver with pick 17 in the 2020 NFL Draft. If they don’t, do they have someone on the current roster who can fill that void at slot receiver?
Coming Fri Apr 17th at 4 pm CT, @michaelirvin88 headlines a group that breaks down Super Bowl XXVII in our first edition of “Cowboys Classics.”
The Cowboys have to address losing defensive end Robert Quinn. With questions in the air about Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith, the Cowboys sit down with another possible replacement.
Dak Prescott speaks clarifies party incident. The Cowboys hold vide meetings with several players.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has made a lot of headlines lately after hosting a party during the current coronavirus pandemic on April 10. On Tuesday night, he clarified that it was gathering with less than 10 people in attendance and that the whole situation was being blown out of proportion. It’s also being reported that Prescott won’t attend the virtual offseason workouts without a long-term deal, which shouldn’t surprise anyone.
The Cowboys have continued doing their due diligence as the NFL draft approaches by holding video meetings with CJ Henderson and Grant Delpit, who both have an opportunity to get drafted at 17. The wide receiver position is very deep in this class, and with the Cowboys having a need there, they shouldn’t come away empty. Who could be the Cowboys first-round selection, whether there’s room for another dynamic running back, and how Prescott might be losing his leverage with the organization and more are covered in the news and notes.
Prescott has been under fire for a TMZ report he held a party at his house with up to 30 guests, including a talking-to by Executive VP Stephen Jones. He categorically denies things were as reported.
Several of the nation’s top prospects have had video meetings with the Cowboys.
Sooo "never give up" the finished product following all the taping fails 😂 if you missed NFL Now. The draft prospect to keep an eye on at 17 if you are a #Cowboys fan. pic.twitter.com/K9ilRItyXY
The ESPN draft prognosticator replenishes the secondary in his 2-round mock for the 2020 draft. Background, stats and film on his choices.
The Dallas Cowboys have made it apparent that cornerback is the apple of their eye in next week’s 2020 NFL draft. Vice president Stephen Jones hinted as much in his radio appearance on Tuesday, when he commended the team’s efforts to fill holes at virtually every other need and then saying the team still has work to do.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that the team must use their first-round pick, No. 17 overall on corner. Not if one subscribes to the BPAPN theory that seems to explain the team’s draft philosophies over the last decade. Best player available at a position of need is a phrase I coined years ago that explains a team has a handful of positional needs they rank as Tier 1. They then select the best available player from that group. Corner is a need, but the team also needs a long-term safety, an edge rusher and one could consider wideout as well. ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. took this approach in his recent mock draft, sending Dallas a safety in Round 1 and a corner in Round 2.
Kiper uses the Cowboys pick at No. 17 to select Alabama safety Xavier McKinney, then turns around at No. 51 to select TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney. McKinney solves the long-term issue at safety, as the Cowboys projected two starters (free-agent signing Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and incumbent Xavier Woods) are only on the books for one year. Gladney solves a similar issue as Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are also in the final years of their deals.
Positional scarcity means taking a WR early in a loaded draft class may not be the wisest use of finite resources and the edge rusher position seems to be devoid of surefire successes, even in the uncertain world of draft projections.
McKinney called me out last week because I didn’t rank him as my No. 1 safety. I have Antoine Winfield Jr. just a little bit higher because of his versatility to play slot corner. But McKinney is the best pure safety in this class, and he’d be a great fit in Dallas, which has some talent on defense but lost starters Byron Jones, Robert Quinn, Maliek Collins and Jeff Heath. The Cowboys brought in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix for short-term help, but McKinney could be the future.
This means I’m going all secondary for the Cowboys, for whom I grabbed safety Xavier McKinney in Round 1. With Byron Jones off to Miami in free agency, Gladney could challenge to start on the outside with Anthony Brown and Chidobe Awuzie. Gladney’s 26 pass breakups over the past two seasons were the most in the entire FBS.
Some would feel this double-dip in the secondary would be a coup. After Jeff Okudah of Ohio State, there are a wide range of opinions on how the rest of the cornerback group shakes out, but many have Gladney as the second or third-best remaining corner, so it may be a stretch to project him at No. 51.
Kiper had five corners off the board in Round 1 (not including Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. going at No. 24 whom he classifies as a slot hybrid). He also had another two corners go off the board before Gladney in the second round.
3. Okudah
12. C.J. Henderson
24. AJ Terrell
25. Jaylon Johnson
31. Noah Igbinoghene
38. Kristin Fulton
46. Damon Arnette
The 2020 NFL Draft is now two weeks away. More mock drafts surface along with plenty of analysis on potential draft picks for the Cowboys
The 2020 NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away. Virtual meetings have become a trending topic for all 32 teams as this has become the newest way to conduct pre-draft business. The Dallas Cowboys have been letting the fans in just a little bit as to what goes on behind the scenes in these very odd times.
Mock drafts are going to rev up in these next 14 days as everyone shoots for predicting the perfect draft. Cowboys legendary figure Gil Brandt compares one of the key wide receivers entering this year’s draft to Dez Bryant, who in fact is trying to reunite with his old team with a few documented workouts. The NFL is doing their part to help everyone affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and a few Cowboys are getting heavily involved. Dallas has plenty of options as to what direction they would like to go in this year’s draft and there are plenty of voices on the internet explaining why they should or shouldn’t draft specific players. All this and more in today’s news.
Dallas Cowboys legendary executive Gil Brandt compares several of the drafts top wide receivers to current or former stars, and sees a lot of former Cowboy wide receiver Dez Bryant in Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb.
The focus has been on how Mike McCarthy will use Elliott, but what does the new coach’s history say about backup running backs and what does it mean for the promising youngster?
Even with the 2020 NFL draft just two weeks away, free agency remains open and the Cowboys can add another veteran to the defensive line. The aged wonder, Cameron Wake is still on the loose.
Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray was one of the recent virtual interviews for the Cowboys front office. See where Murray would fit in the Dallas scheme.
The Dallas Cowboys and The Salvation Army will be working together a little before Thanksgiving this year. Money will be raised throughout all major market television stations during this years 2020 virtual NFL Draft.
This latest mock draft has the Cowboys addressing several areas of need with stars from LSU, Penn State, and Ohio State.
The 2020 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. And while teams are conducting Q-and-A sessions with prospects over videoconference rather than parading them around the team facility in person, the preparations are entering their final phases for all 32 teams looking to restock their player shelves with new inventory.
Pro Football Focus goes three rounds deep in their latest mock draft, and Cowboys fans should be pleased with what they see. The exercise has Dallas beefing up several thin spots with players who are among the best in the land at their positions.
PFF’s Michael Renner sees the Cowboys passing on Alabama safety Xavier McKinney and LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton in the first round to instead select Fulton’s Tigers teammate at defensive end.
17. K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
“Not even 21 years old yet, Chaisson is a player who has a good deal of perceived upside with his athletic traits. He’s got a long way to go to fulfill that, though, as he earned only a 78.9 pass-rushing grade this past season and racked up 35 pressures on 370 pass-rushing snaps.”
The wide receiver class is loaded with talent in 2020. CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Justin Jefferson, Jalen Reagor, and Denzel Mims are all going in the first round, according to PFF. Michael Pittman Jr., Tee Higgins, Brandon Aiyuk, and Laviska Shenault will also come off the board per the mock before Dallas goes again at 51. But the Cowboys still get a top talent at the position.
51. KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State
“Hamler brings an explosive element that doesn’t really exist outside of Amari Cooper in the Cowboys’ offense. Get him matched up on safeties downfield, and it’s game over.”
Penn State’s KJ Hamler possesses some of that Tyreek Hill type speed. He wasn’t able to run at the combine (approx 4.27-4.29 40-time) but Hamler is arguably the second-fasted in this year’s draft class behind Henry Ruggs III. Solid second-round option. pic.twitter.com/SV587uWl2A
By the third round, the names start to get less recognizable to casual fans. The Cowboys will look to backfill the hole left by Byron Jones’s departure with a cornerback from a top-flight program, despite a less-than-stellar combine performance.
82. Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
“Arnette has NFL-ready coverage ability on the outside that the Cowboys need after going edge and receiver with their first two picks. He allowed a 44.6% completion rate last year despite playing with a cast on his wrist.”
Damon Arnette (#3, CB, Ohio St
+ Speed to recover in trail position Good in press/zone Squeezes boundary well Played in many schemes + in run support, Tackling Good shuffle Good at catch point
Questionable Athleticism Short Arms Sometimes struggles at top of routes Stiff hips pic.twitter.com/dGdeo8naIg
The Cowboys ignore the CB hole and fortify their offense as one of the league’s best.
The Dallas Cowboys started free agency with 30 former players who were not under contract. They’ve worked tirelessly to bring many back, and have made some inroads in replacing a few of the positions wgere attrition set in. Still, there will be areas the club can improve on in the coming NFL draft, and one of those is at wide receiver.
In his latest mock draft for ESPN + (pay wall) draf prognosticator Mel Kiper, Jr. reveals that while the Cowboys should consider other options, if this player slides down the draft boards some they shouldn’t hesitate to turn in his card. Or send the DM; whatever way they are going to conduct this year’s draft. Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, welcome to Dallas.
CeeDee Lamb profiles as No. 1 wide receiver at the next level that can be the focal point of the passing attack. He’s a threat at all levels of the field with bluechip body control, ball skills, hands and instincts. Lamb has a notable transition ahead of him in terms of applying his traits against NFL corners compared to the ones he toyed with in the Big 12 but his natural gifts should accelerate his acclimation period to the NFL. Lamb has the upside to develop into one of the premiere offensive playmakers in the NFL by Year Three.
Explosive, three-level playmaker and vital cog in one of the most potent offensive machines in college football over the last three seasons. Lamb uses speed and separation quickness to dominate competition in a scheme that frequently created open throws in space. His routes will need to become more efficient and crisp to beat man-to-man coverage against NFL size and speed, but his ball skills and explosiveness with the ball in his hand should allow teams to scheme him into explosive opportunities right away. Lamb has the potential to play any of the three receiver positions as a pro and should benefit greatly from the NFL’s continued movement toward college-style passing attacks.
