The Dallas Cowboys continued their strong start to the 2020 NFL draft with their second and third-round picks, CB Trevon Diggs and DT Neville Gallimore. The two defensive players fill positions of need for Dallas, and offer room to grow into bigger roles going forward.
Much like their first-round selection, the Cowboys Day 2 picks earned rave reviews from around the draft community. From just a sheer value perspective, it’s hard to envision a better scenario than the one that’s played out so far for Dallas. For a team that dons blue and silver, they certainly are enjoying dousing themselves in a crimson shade of red.
Draft Wire: A
Trevon Diggs:
“After losing Byron Jones in free agency, the Cowboys had to find a worthy replacement early in this draft. They’ve done just that with Diggs, continuing their fantastic start to this year’s event.”
Bleacher Report
Trevon Diggs: A
“Diggs is technically sound and assignment-clean, makes adjustments on the fly and communicates well with fellow defenders, and has the athleticism to handle most matchups. He’s no size-speed marvel, and he’s a lunging tackler who can get shaken off by tougher ball-carriers, but the Cowboys can just drop Diggs into their secondary and not worry about him for the next few years”
Neville Gallimore: B+
“Gallimore is quick, fluid and agile, making him a high-impact defender on passing downs, and he’s a high-effort player who will run ball-carriers down from behind. However, his leverage, anchor and power all need a lot of work, and it’s hard to envision him as a 60-snap starter as an interior defender in the NFL.
Gallimore had an exceptional combine, and there are worse ideas than drafting a top athlete with a high motor and hoping he thickens out a bit. Gallimore could be effective right away in a 30-snap role.That’s all the Cowboys will need him for since they already have Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe in the middle of their defense.”
ESPN
Trevon Diggs: 86
“Diggs is a former wide receiver with above-average ball skills and projects as a day one starter. He’s an excellent value pick at this point”
Neville Gallimore: 84
“Gallimore is a reminder that 40 times don’t always equal production. He comes in as an athletically gifted but inconsistent player with upside, a potential rotational disrupter on the inside of a Dallas defensive line that was addressed in free agency, but with aging veterans Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe. And that 40 time? Under 4.8 at over 300 pounds.”
SB Nation
Trevon Diggs:
“Grade: WHERE WERE YOU, COWBOY-HATING LESSER GODS?
Jerry Jones’ horrific salary cap management meant he had no shot at re-signing Byron Jones this spring. Because the football gods fell asleep at the wheel, this may not be a problem. A top-25 talent slid out of the top 50 and onto Jerry’s superyacht.”
Neville Gallimore:
“Grade: A Canadian destroyer. No, not that move every indie wrestler uses with the flips and whatnot
Gallimore is roughly the size of a VW Beetle, runs a 4.7-second 40, and can dunk a basketball. His draft spread consisted solely of Yeti tumblers and a bowl full of candy bars. He is from Canada, but he is America’s spirit animal.”
CBS Sports
Trevon Diggs: B+
“Diggs has dominant press man traits. Suffocating at the line because of his size and physical nature. Long speed is a question. As is his ability to find the ball. Good, not great twitch. Addressed big need for Dallas.”
Neville Gallimore: A
“Gallimore is a disruptive one-gapper with a non-stop motor and a nice collection of pass-rush moves. Exactly what the Cowboys need in their defensive scheme.”
Sports Illustrated
Trevon Diggs: A+
“Diggs is a long-armed, physical corner and is stepping into a Mike Nolan-led scheme that, thanks to its expected emphasis on blitzing, will feature press-man on the outside. Dallas hit another home run in this draft, filling an important, specific need with a top-level talent at a later-than-expected draft slot.:
Neville Gallimore: A-
“Gallimore was yet another Cowboys selection whom many expected to be taken a lot higher. He is not a particularly large or long-limbed man, and so quickness and mechanics are key to his success. He showed those traits at Oklahoma; if he plays with more consistent leverage, he has a chance to be a contributing pass rusher.”
Sporting News
Trevon Diggs: A+
“The Cowboys get their second steal of the draft and fill a big need at cornerback in the wake of losing Byron Jones in free agency. Diggs offers good size (6-1, 205 pounds), strength and downfield speed. He shot up the board quickly during his big senior season (three interceptions in 12 games).”
Neville Gallimore: A
“The Cowboys go back to Oklahoma after getting CeeDee Lamb in the first round with another terrific value pick to address their need for increased depth in their defensive line rotation. Gallimore (6-2, 304 pounds) packs a powerful, relentless punch for his size.”
USA Today
Trevon Diggs: B
“Diggs was discussed as a potential first-round pick, which I didn’t understand. But Dallas is getting good value here. Diggs is a smart player with good instincts. He dropped because he’s not the most agile corner. That may not matter in the Cowboys’ zone-heavy defense, which will play to Diggs’ strengths.”
Neville Gallimore: A
“The Cowboys just keep adding value. Gallimore is a penetrator who shed some weight last year and unlocked some more pass-rushing ability. He fills a need, too.”
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