Tag: Francis Bernard

Cavalry Coming: Cowboys getting injured, suspended players back, but will Prescott start Sunday?

Michael Gallup, Trysten Hill, and Francis Bernard will enter a 21-day window of evaluation; they can be added to the active roster anytime. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Despite an impressive 5-1 start, the Cowboys haven’t even been playing at full strength. Several players who have been sitting on the shelf for a variety of reasons will be making their way back, though questions remain at a few key positions as the team gets into the swing of things after the bye week.

Wide receiver Michael Gallup leads the group of Cowboys players designated Monday for return from the injured reserve list. Gallup suffered a calf injury in the season opener in Tampa and has been sidelined since.

Also set to return is linebacker Francis Bernard. He injured his hamstring during training camp and started the season on the injured reserve list.

Defensive tackle Trysten Hill began the 2020 campaign on the Physically Unable to Perform List with a knee injury sustained in the early part of last season. He will also be eligible to return to practice.

Gallup, Bernard, and Hill will now enter a three-week practice window; the Cowboys have 21 days of evaluation to decide whether put each of them on the active roster. Any of them could added in time for the Week 8 game.

With the players taking last week off, Monday marked the first practice back for offensive tackle La’el Collins after serving a five-game suspension. The coaching staff has said they will take the week to gauge his readiness for Sunday night’s matchup in Minnesota.

Terence Steele has played well on a fill-in basis for him; the team has implied that Collins is not necessarily guaranteed to reclaim his starting role after missing five weeks of action.

Most important for most of Cowboys Nation, quarterback Dak Prescott was expected to be held out of the first practice of the week as he recovers from a calf strain suffered on the final play of Week 6’s overtime win in New England.

The team has stated they’ll take a wait-and-see approach with Prescott; he is slated to begin practicing again on Wednesday. Dallas is “optimistic” he’ll be ready to go in time for the Halloween date with the Vikings.

Additionally on a busy roster day for the Cowboys, the team moved cornerback Deante Burton from the Injured/Practice Squad list back to the practice squad roster.

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CB Kelvin Joseph, DT Neville Gallimore among Cowboys moved to short-term IR

Six players now go on the Injured Reserve-Return list, meaning they can be made active after 3 weeks; five of those spots have been filled. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys continued their personnel shell game on Thursday, changing the official designation on several players as they work to finalize the active squad before Week 1.

According to the team website, six players- cornerback Kelvin Joseph, offensive tackle Josh Ball, wide receiver Malik Turner, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, tight end Sean McKeon, and linebacker Francis Bernard- have been placed on the Injured Reserve/Return list.

That classification is available only to players who were on the active roster; though hurt, all six were on the official 53-man roster when final cuts were made on Tuesday. Now they’ll make a short-term move to the IR-to-Return list, meaning each of them is eligible to come back to the active roster after three weeks.

Such strategic shuffling was all part of the Cowboys’ master plan. With those six active spots open, the Cowboys activated CeeDee Lamb, Damontae Kazee, and Carlos Watkins from the Reserve/COVID list. They also re-signed long snapper Jake McQuaide as expected, and they officially signed veteran running back Corey Clement, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles and a casualty of the New York Giants’ camp cuts this week. Cowboys punter Bryan Anger will “be coming back, probably in 48 hours,” coach Mike McCarthy said on Thursday.

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Cowboys 53-man roster prediction is heavy on defense following draft

The Dallas Cowboys will go heavy on defense in this way too early 53-man roster prediction for the 2021 season.

The 2021 NFL draft dust is just settling, rookie free agents are in the process of getting signed and the teams are narrowing down their rosters to 90 players. The Dallas Cowboys did a little house cleaning to their roster when they released veteran players recently, most notably DT Antwaun Woods, to reach the threshold.

Now set within the roster rules with their 90-man arsenal, the Cowboys have less than four months to trim the player down to its initial 53-man team. Here’s a way too early guess at what the 2021 edition of the Cowboys might look like when they break training camp and head into the season.

Cowboys make handful of roster moves, activate Brown from IR

The Dallas Cowboys activated CB Anthony Brown, but added Tyron Smith and Joe Looney to the IR.

The Dallas Cowboys 2020 season has featured a whirlwind of never-ending roster moves, as the team has been crippled by injuries at multiple positions. Those transactions continued on Saturday, as the Cowboys added two new players, tackle Tyron Smith and center Joe Looney, to the injured reserve.

To fill those two roster spots, Dallas activated cornerback Anthony Brown from the IR, and promoted linebacker Francis Bernard to the 53-man roster. The team also elevated two players from the practice squad to the roster in center Marcus Henry and DB Stephen Parker.

Every week, each team can add two practice squad members to the active roster for the upcoming game, and the Cowboys utilized that once again.

Smith heads to the season-ending IR after suffering a setback while battling the neck/stinger issues that have ailed him for a few years now. Smith is set for surgery and hopefully will make a full recovery before the beginning of  next season. The Cowboys are now without both of their star tackles for the remainder of this season, as La’el Collins underwent season-ending hip surgery last week.

In the games this year that both Smith and Collins missed, the Cowboys started second-year tackle Brandon Knight on the left side, and undrafted rookie Terrence Steele on the right side.

Dallas signed tackle Greg Senat from the Browns practice squad to the 53-man roster earlier this week to add some depth and potential competition at the position. Right guard, Zack Martin, is the lone remaining starter from the Cowboys dominant offensive lines of recent memory. Martin slid out to right tackle in the Cowboys Week 3 loss to Seattle after Steele left with an illness, but don’t be surprised to see Martin there again if Dallas’ other options aren’t cutting it.

Looney should return this year, as he lands on the short-term IR with a grade 2 MCL sprain. Fourth-round rookie Tyler Biadasz, has done a quality job in his limited action this year, and could very well remain the starting center after Looney returns. Looney’s return will still be crucial as the veteran could see time at either guard spot, especially if Martin is forced to move out wide as mentioned above.

 

On the defensive side of the field, Brown’s return from the IR could be substantial for a Dallas defense that has looked abysmal through four games. Brown re-joins a cornerback group including Trevon Diggs, Jourdan Lewis, and Daryl Worley, as Chidobe Awuzie remains on the IR.

Bernard was brought up to the active roster from the practice squad for last week’s contest, and he played 13 snaps on special teams. Bernard has a chance to stick on the roster, but the quickly-approaching return of Leighton Vander Esch could move Bernard back down to the practice squad yet again.

The Cowboys’ defense, which is dead-last in points given up per game, will attempt to bounce back as Brown returns and the Giants lowly offense comes to town in Week 5.

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Cowboys News: Trysten Hill fined, Browns preview, Collins done, COVID

A breakdown of the Browns, a practice squad promotion, a ranking of skill players, and more in the last news and notes before Week 4 begins.

The Dallas Cowboys have a tough test in Week 4, as the talented Cleveland Browns travel to Dallas. Both teams are loaded with talented skill position players, but which teams weapons should get the edge? The managerial editors of the Cowboys Wire and Browns Wire go toe-to-toe and answer each other’s questions regarding nearly every aspect of Sunday’s showdown. If the Cowboys can get the ball rolling, the club has a chance to make a run as Sunday marks the first of three consecutive home games, and the schedule becomes more favorable.

Aldon Smith leading the league in sacks after his layoff is more than impressive, and should be a bigger talking point around the league. La’el Collins opts to go under the knife. Trysten Hill was punished for two plays against the Seahawks, a helmet-to-helmet hit on Russell Wilson, and the infamous roll on the knee of Chris Carson. The Cowboys promoted LB Francis Bernard to the active roster in help with depth. In non-Cowboys’ news, both the Chiefs and Patriots’ had a player test positive for Covid-19 just days before their matchup was set to take place. Positives include New England QB Cam Newton, and the teams join the Titans as the only teams with cases since the start of the 2020 NFL season.

Ranking 10 skill position beasts in Cowboys-Browns matchup :: Cowboys Wire

Very few matchups this will have more talent at the skill positions than the Cowboys and the Browns. The Browns boast an impressive receiving and rushing duo, while the Cowboys stable of weapons is well documented. Our own K.D. Drummond ranks each skill player. Who do you think has the edge?

Cowboys RT La’el Collins out for season, dominoes to fall :: Cowboys Wire

The Dallas right tackle has missed the first three games with a hip issue that just isn’t getting better. He’s opting for surgery, ending what should have been a promising season.

Now’s the time for Cowboys to take advantage of three-game homestand :: ESPN

The Cowboys are about to begin a three game home stretch, and it’s crucial that Dallas takes advantage of this. ESPN’s Todd Archer discusses what playing at home means to some key Cowboys, including Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy.

Enemy Intel: Who are the Browns and what the Cowboys need to prepare for :: Cowboys Wire

Our own K.D. Drummond, along with Browns Wire’s Jeff Risdon, go back and forth answering each others questions surrounding the upcoming Cowboys-Browns game in Dallas. Get an inside perspective as to how both fanbases feel about their franchise QB, which players are defensive X-factors, and so much more.

Sources: New England Patriots QB Cam Newton tests positive for COVID-19 :: ESPN

It may not be Cowboys related, but it is huge NFL news. Cam Newton of the New England Patriots, as well as the Chiefs scout team QB, have both tested positive of Covid-19. The Tennessee Titans have already had a game rescheduled, and are still having new players pop up as positive. Hopefully all players involved fully recover and this doesn’t become a trend around the league.

Cowboys defensive tackle Trysten Hill made headlines last Sunday, and for the wrong reasons. Hill was fined for two different plays, including one play where Hill appeared to twist Seahawks running back Chris Carson’s knee, after Carson was already on the ground.

Spagnola: Who Would Have Thought This Possible :: The Mothership

Long time Cowboys’ writer Mickey Spagnola dives into what he believes is the biggest Dallas storyline of 2020; the incredible play of Aldon Smith despite his five-year layoff.

Francis Bernard promoted, why many are excited about his Cowboys prospects :: Cowboys Wire

Due to injuries, the Dallas Cowboys are extremely thin at the linebacker position. The club promoted practice squad LB Francis Bernard on Saturday. Bernard had a strong training camp and will have a chance to stay on the roster if he makes the most of Sunday.

The 6-2 Dallas Cowboys? Breaking down the next five games ::Sports Dallas Fort-Worth

The Dallas Cowboys can’t overlook any opponents, but their fans can. Anthony Miller of Sport DFW explains how the Cowboys next stretch of games, including the previously mentioned three straight home games, could leave the team with a favorable record halfway through the season.

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Francis Bernard promoted, why many are excited about his Cowboys prospects

The Cowboys promoted LB Francis Bernard to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Cleveland.

An exciting Dallas Cowboys prospect is about to get his first real chance in a Dallas uniform. The club announced Saturday that rookie linebacker Francis Bernard had been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, in time for the Cowboys Week 4 matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

The Cowboys utilized a roster clause that allows each team to call up two practice squad players the day before their game, with the condition that the players go back down to the practice squad the day after the game.

The Cowboys linebacker depth quickly went from a strength to a weakness, as they lost veteran Sean Lee before the season started, and Leighton Vander Esch after just one week. Both Lee (groin) and Vander Esch (collarbone) are set to rejoin the team this season, but their return isn’t expected in the next few weeks.

Jaylon Smith remains in his starting role, and rotational linebacker Joe Thomas has done an excellent job as an injury fill-in. That pairing played every single defensive snap against the Seahawks in Week 3; a sign that depth is much needed.

Why This Matters

Bernard is an instinctual, talented player, (draft guru Dane Brugler had a 4th-5th round draft grade on him) and the Utah prospect showed his potential during his strong training camp performance. Many believed Bernard was going to make the initial Cowboys roster, or be poached by another team LB-needy team after hitting the practice squad.

Here’s part of his writeup from our Player Profile from over the summer.

Bernard was a two-star recruit out of Herriman at running back, with just one offer on the table: Brigham Young University. His freshman season, which came after two years of missionary work in Atlanta, saw just a handful of snaps per game, and though he was generally productive, Bernard was asked to make the switch to linebacker the following year – a year in which he was ultimately suspended before the Cougars’ bowl game at season’s end.

There were two incidents that led to Bernard’s suspension and ultimately his leave from BYU. The first, and what led to his absence from the Poinsettia Bowl, is a routine noise complaint visit from the police that ended up with Bernard saying on video, “I swear on my life, if I see you, I will (expletive) strangle you until you (expletive) don’t breathe.” The second is an arrest for suspicion of DUI in October of 2017, the final straw.

He transferred to in-state rival Utah, and helped anchor a defense that propelled the Utes to an 11-win season. On the field, Dane Brugler had him graded as a 4th-5th-round prospect and summarized his play thusly:

The quarterback of the Utes’ defense, Bernard is a determined player with a violent mentality, seeing things quickly with enough athleticism to get the job done in pursuit. However, he must cut down on the missed tackles and develop his hand usage to properly stack, shed and make stops in the hole. Overall, Bernard needs to improve his take-on technique to earn a meaningful role in the NFL, but he is an aggressive run defender with promising reps in coverage, projecting as an NFL rookie backup who will eventually compete for starting reps.

Film

Forecast for Week 4

The majority of Bernard’s opportunities will likely come from special teams, but with the way this season is going the Cowboys need their backups to be ready for an increased role at a moment’s notice, especially at the linebacker position.

Linebackers Luke Gifford and Justin March each played over fifty percent of special teams snaps last week, but neither player was used to give Thomas or Smith a break on the defensive side of the ball.

It remains to be seen the level of opportunity the rookie will get this Sunday in Dallas, but the hungry Bernard will look to make the most of whatever snaps he’s given.

Ranking 10 skill position beasts in Cowboys-Browns matchup

Enemy Intel: Who are the Browns and what the Cowboys need to prepare for

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Report: Broken collarbone to keep Cowboys LB Vander Esch out ‘6 to 8 weeks’

The Cowboys linebacker will go on injured reserve, but should return this season. He missed 7 games in 2019 with neck injuries.

Third-year linebacker Leighton Vander Esch spoke on Friday about how excited he was to be back on the field. After a bulging neck disk and a diagnosis of congenital spinal stenosis kept him out of the last six games of 2019, the former first-round draft pick said going into Sunday night’s season opener was the best he’s felt in a year. 2020 was all set to be a comeback campaign for the 2018 Pro Bowler.

The curtain came down on that comeback before the halftime intermission. Vander Esch suffered a broken collarbone after three tackles in just two drives during the team’s Week 1 loss to the Rams, and will be headed to injured reserve, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

As Rapoport notes, Vander Esch will be eligible to return this season. Under the 2020 COVID-19 rules for this NFL season, a player on IR may return after missing just three weeks. In a normal year, a player is not allowed to return from injured reserve unless he has missed at least six weeks’ worth of practice and eight weeks’ worth of games.

The nature of Vander Esch’s injury, though, indicates that he’ll still miss about that much time.

Rapoport tweeted Monday morning that the CT scan showed that Vander Esch “cleanly broke” the bone and confirmed a timetable to return of “6-8 weeks.”

A six-game absence would put Vander Esch out until the Cowboys travel to Philadelphia on Nov. 1. Missing eight games means he would also be unavailable for a game against Pittsburgh and then back in action versus Minnesota on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Vander Esch’s teammates on the Dallas defense talked about losing their leader after the 20-17 loss in Los Angeles.

“I know how it feels to be injured, to suffer an injury,” linebacker Jaylon Smith offered. “I don’t wish that on anyone. It’s definitely tough, but I know Leighton is a strong guy with a strong mind and a good support system, so he’s going to come back strong.”

“Obviously, whenever a guy, a teammate, goes down, it sucks,” stated defensive end Aldon Smith, who was back on the field for the first time in five years. “But we have good depth. We have guys ready to step in, and [linebacker] Joe [Thomas] stepped in and made some plays. So we’ll just have to make adjustments and keep trying to get better each week.”

Thomas played well in place of Vander Esch, recording five total tackles. The Cowboys linebacking corps is already thinned, with veteran Sean Lee starting the season on IR due to a sports hernia. He’s eligible to return as early as Week 4, but Thomas will have to do much of the heavy lifting until that help arrives.

Second-year linebacker Luke Gifford showed promise as a rookie, and may be asked to accelerate his contributions now. Francis Bernard, an undrafted rookie out of Utah, had a strong camp and may also get a long look as the Cowboys plug early holes in their defense.

Smith took over green-dot duties after Vander Esch exited Sunday’s contest, relaying the defensive play calls from coordinator Mike Nolan. Smith and Vander Esch had swapped roles this offseason, with Vander Esch taking over as the middle linebacker and Smith sliding to his former weak side spot.

But in Nolan’s new-look scheme, defensive players are asked to ignore the position labels and do more out-of-position work. So it will be up to all of the linebackers- and the rest of the defense, too- to pick up the slack, starting with meetings with the Falcons and Seahawks over the next two weeks.

“I think, just collectively as a defense, including myself, we’ve just all got to play better,” Smith concluded. “We have a standard, and we’ve got to play it.”

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Cowboys waive LB Francis Bernard but he may still make 53

After a strong camp it was believed Bernard would make the Cowboys 53-man roster, but he might not be done just yet.

The Dallas Cowboys have to make their final 53-man roster cuts have to be made by 4 pm EST on Saturday. Linebacker Francis Bernard, and undrafted free agent out of Utah, has been making waves throughout training camp due to picking up the playbook quickly and producing a few highlight moments in practice.

He was thought to have a real good chance to make the final roster, however, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, Bernard was waived by the Cowboys just ahead of the deadline.

The move comes as a bit of a surprise considering the recent news out of the Cowboys linebacker room.

Even though this move was a shocker considering the play of Francis in training camp it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of his time in Dallas. The Cowboys would like to keep him on the practice squad but he’ll have to clear waivers first. Once a player clears waivers he becomes a free agent and can negotiate with any NFL team.

It’ll be interesting to see if anybody claims Bernard, and if not, will the Cowboys bring him back for another go stint in Big D?

Another interesting option could unfold.

Sean Lee will reportedly start the season on injured reserve after being diagnosed with a sports hernia during the conditioning phase of training camp. While the IR rules have changed and Dallas would be able to activate him after Week 3, he still has to make the initial 53-man roster before being placed on the reserve list.

That might open the door for Bernard to be in play for Week 1, not just back with the team, but on the big roster.

To follow along with all of the cuts and the rules behind the roster and practice squad, check out our 2020 Roster Cut Tracker.

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Cowboys News: Trevon Diggs one of NFLs most important rookies

The Cowboys have a lot of star power, but no newcomer will have as big a burden on them as rookie Trevon Diggs.

The Cowboys had a busy offseason and it left opportunities for players to step into large roles within the team. One of those opportunities lies in the hands of Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys most recent second-round selection. Diggs is part of a secondary that is going to attempt to replace the All-Pro production of Byron Jones, and the young corner has a chance to make an impact in just. is first season. Blake Jarwin is another player with a golden opportunity, as he is now ready to take over the starting tight-end role, and Aldon Smith is trying to make the most of his second chance in the NFL.

A Dallas signing that is potentially underrated is the acquisition of Cameron Fleming. The veteran should be able to back up all positions of the line and could prove valuable in the rotation. Speaking of rotations, the linebacker group for the Cowboys is set up to succeed more than ever before, plus, why an UDFA linebacker could join the Cowboys established group. All that, and more, here are the Cowboys news and notes from May 26, 2020.

Bucky Brooks: Erving Can Play All 5 O-Line Spots :: Dallas Cowboys

The signing of OL Cameron Erving has gone under the radar, but Erving’s versatility and experience could make him the sleeper signing of the offseason for Dallas.

Casserly: Three second-round DBs to watch in 2020 :: NFL

NFL Network’s Charlie Casserly goes through three defensive backs who could be steals at their draft position, including the Cowboys newest cornerback, Trevon Diggs.

Five rookies who most need to succeed in Year 1: Heat on Chiefs LB :: NFL

CeeDee Lamb is the most talked about Dallas rookie, and for good reason but the most important rookie for Dallas may just be Diggs. The Alabama product will try to help mitigate the loss of Byron Jones, and should compete for one of the two starting CB spots for the Cowboys.

Former Cowboys lineman compares Aldon Smith’s ability as a pass rusher to DeMarcus Ware :: Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys received good news in the way of Aldon Smith’s reinstatement into the NFL. Former Cowboys offensive lineman Leonard Davis compared Smith (who he played with in 2012) to the great DeMarcus Ware, and more positives notes about Smith’s comeback.

Cowboys Linebacker Trio Set Up For Big 2020 Season :: Inside The Star

Last year was supposed to be the breakout year for the Cowboys linebacker core, but injuries and inconsistency derailed the group. Now, with Lee re-signed, and Vander Esch healthy, the trio of those two along with Jaylon Smith is ready to make some noise.

Travis Frederick had one warm-up ball for Cowboys career; wants it now as souvenir :: Cowboys Wire

Travis Frederick stuck to his routines before games with Dallas. One routine involved a football he would always warm up with. Now, Frederick is asking for that ball back.

Blake Jarwin’s Ready to Take Over as No. 1 Tight End Option for Dallas :: Sports Illustrated 

Expectations are high for Blake Jarwin, as he takes over as the likely full-time starter at tight-end for the Cowboys. Hear from Jarwin himself about his future, how Jason Witten helped his game, and more.

UDFA Profile: Utah LB Brings Coverage Skills :: Dallas Cowboys

Off the field issues have altered the path for former Utah LB Francis Bernard, but he still managed to reach his destination, the NFL. Learn more about the Cowboys undrafted free agent, and why it’s reasonable to believe he could contribute quickly in the league.

Three different candidates to be the fourth wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys :: Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys top three wide receivers are as good as any group in the league. However, after the three starters, there is a role to be had. One of these three players are likely to seize that spot: Cedrick Wilson, Devin Smith, and Aaron Parker.

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2020 NFL Draft rankings: Inside Linebacker

2020 NFL Draft rankings: Inside Linebacker class from Josh Keatly

It’s not the best year to be needing a dominant middle backer, but there is enough talent here for the Cleveland Browns to find some potential play-makers. With the exit of Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey, Cleveland needs a difference-maker, especially on the inside.

I grade players extremely generous and like to think with an open mind. Most writers only rank 20-25 first-round grades and that is probably more indicative of their talent rather than where they are selected. I rank prospects based on the highest I could possibly see them be snagged.

1st Round

1. Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma, 6-2, 241 pounds

Murray flows fast and hard to the ball and already has good size for the position, but his frame suggests he can tack on even more weight and inflict even more punishment on ball carriers. Murray is still an unfinished product. Despite having an extremely high ceiling, Murray has boom or bust potential because he relies more on his athletic ability than his instincts, which need to improve.

2. Patrick Queen, LSU, 6-0, 229 pounds

Queen is fast and uses that speed effectively when in coverage, while also utilizing his athleticism and impressive instincts to close fast on the run game. The biggest issue with Queen is his lack of ideal size and that could cause problems for him in regard to the run game.

2nd Round

3. Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech, 6-0, 240 pounds

Like Queen, Brooks is a great athlete with the ideal explosion, change of direction and straight-line speed to be a thorn in an offense’s side. Brooks wasn’t given a first-round grade because he needs more than athleticism to take him to the ball. He has gotten lost on tape more than once.

4. Evan Weaver, California, 6-2, 237 pounds

There is a reason Weaver led the nation in tackles with 182 and averaged a healthy 14 per game. His elite instincts and ability to read and react to what the offense shows him are better than anyone in this class. Weaver will need time to develop as he has only started since his junior season and transitioned from defensive end.

3rd Round

5. Logan Wilson, Wyoming, 6-2, 241 pounds

Wilson was a defensive back early in his college career, but gained some positive weight and kept his impressive coverage skills to become an extremely intriguing prospect. Despite being great in coverage, Wilson lacks the ideal measurements that guarantee similar success in the NFL.

6. Markus Bailey, Purdue, 6-0, 235 pounds

Bailey will instantly upgrade a team’s pass-rushing presence as his relentless motor and his ability to shed blocks make him the best in the class in regard to blitzing. Like Wilson above, Bailey doesn’t have the ideal measurables that would lead you to believe he can make the same impact in the NFL.

7. Malik Harrison, Ohio State. 6-3, 247 pounds

Harrison likes to put the ball carrier in the dirt and has the ability to strike fear into an offense. He appears to be on an upward trajectory as he showed real improvement throughout his career, especially in regard to read and react. Harrison needs to be more reliable in coverage to be a force in the NFL.

4th Round

8. Jacob Phillips, LSU, 6-3, 229 pounds: Rarely misses tackles, but not the best in coverage.

9. Shaquille Quarterman, Miami, 6-0, 234 pounds: A team will fall in love with his old-school attitude, but can get lost sometimes.

10. David Woodward, Utah St., 6-2, 230 pounds: Can play both inside or outside effectively and rarely misses tackles, but struggles at shedding blocks.

5th Round

11. T.J. Brunson, South Carolina, 6-1, 230 pounds: Named captain twice and has a nonstop motor, but has more than a few missed tackles on film.

12. Francis Bernard, Utah, 6-0, 234 pounds: Played running back at BYU before transferring and utilizing those skills to become the best in the class in coverage. Still raw with limited experience on the defensive side.

6th Round

13. Joe Bachie, Michigan St., 6-1, 230 pounds: Great tackler, but lacks ideal athleticism despite having an impressive combine.

14. Dante Olson, Montana, 6-2, 237 pounds: An All-American in the FCS with 179 tackles last season, but again it was in the FCS.

15. Michael Divinity Jr., LSU, 6-2, 242 pounds: Plays well against the run and pass as evidenced by his eight sacks and three takeaways accumulated the past two years.

16. De’Jon Harris, Arkansas, 6-0, 234 pounds: Versatile backer who earned All-SEC and can thrive on special teams.

17. Mykal Walker, Fresno St., 6-3, 230 pounds: TFL machine who earned All-Mountain West.

18. Shaun Bradley, Temple, 6-1, 235 pounds: Fairly athletic, but lacks ideal size and has already maxed out frame.

7th Round

19. Jordan Mack, Virginia, 6-3, 241 pounds

20. Chris Orr, Wisconsin, 6-0, 228 pounds

21. Jonas Griffith, Indiana St., 6-3, 247 pounds

22. Dele Harding, Illinois, 6-1, 229 pounds

23. Kyahva Tezino, San Diego St., 6-0, 235 pounds

Priority Free Agent

24. Christian Rozeboom, South Dakota St., 6-2, 230 pounds

25. David Reese II, Florida, 6-0, 239 pounds

26. Asmar Bilal, Notre Dame, 6-2, 231 pounds

27. Jason Ferris, Montana Western, 6-2, 220 pounds

28. Leo Lewis, Mississippi St., 6-2, 246 pounds

29. Mohamed Barry, Nebraska, 6-1, 245 pounds

30. Jordan Fehr, Appalachian St., 6-3, 230 pounds

31. Krys Barnes, UCLA, 6-2, 229 pounds

32. Clay Johnston, Baylor, 6-1, 227 pounds

33. Sage Lewis, Florida International, 6-0, 232 pounds

34. Tae Crowder, Georgia, 6-3, 235 pounds

35. Cale Garrett, Missouri, 6-2, 234 pounds

36. Marcel Spears Jr., Iowa St., 6-1, 222 pounds

37. Kylan Johnson, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 230 pounds

38. Keisean-Lucier South, UCLA, 6-4, 235 pounds

39. Jeffrey McCulloch, Texas, 6-3, 230 pounds

 

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