Cowboys 2021 Draft Debate: Cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu vs Elijah Molden

Dalton Miller and Mike Crum debate which cornerback is better for the Dallas Cowboys between cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu and Elijah Molden

The Dallas Cowboys defense had multiple practice squad players getting major snaps in the defensive backfield last season, including Saivion Smith, Rashad Robinson, Steven Parker and Deante Burton. The team already needed depth before Chidobe Awuzie signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.

Whether in the draft or by signing a vet in free agency, or preferably both, Dallas still needs to go after cornerback in the remaining offseason. The current question for the Cowboys is which prospects should they target? This is a recurring series of debate on which of two prospects is the best fit for the Cowboys. This edition will feature Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu and Washington CB Elijah Molden and will feature former Cowboys Wire contributor Dalton Miller, now of 105.3 the Fan.

Molden stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 192 pounds. The Washington Huskies only played four games in 2020, but in that time Molden was able to be productive, totalling 26 tackles (including one for a loss), an interception and a pass deflection.

Melifonwu is a much bigger player, standing at 6-foot-2, and weighs in at 212 pounds. In 10 games he had 54 tackles (three for loss), a sack, an interception and six pass deflections.

So who fits better? Let the debate begin.

Cowboys 2021 Draft Debate: Cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu vs Elijah Molden

Dalton Miller and Mike Crum debate which cornerback is better for the Dallas Cowboys between cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu and Elijah Molden

The Dallas Cowboys defense had multiple practice squad players getting major snaps in the defensive backfield last season, including Saivion Smith, Rashad Robinson, Steven Parker and Deante Burton. The team already needed depth before Chidobe Awuzie signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.

Whether in the draft or by signing a vet in free agency, or preferably both, Dallas still needs to go after cornerback in the remaining offseason. The current question for the Cowboys is which prospects should they target? This is a recurring series of debate on which of two prospects is the best fit for the Cowboys. This edition will feature Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu and Washington CB Elijah Molden and will feature former Cowboys Wire contributor Dalton Miller, now of 105.3 the Fan.

Molden stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 192 pounds. The Washington Huskies only played four games in 2020, but in that time Molden was able to be productive, totalling 26 tackles (including one for a loss), an interception and a pass deflection.

Melifonwu is a much bigger player, standing at 6-foot-2, and weighs in at 212 pounds. In 10 games he had 54 tackles (three for loss), a sack, an interception and six pass deflections.

So who fits better? Let the debate begin.

Colts beef up defense in Todd McShay’s latest mock draft

In Todd McShay’s latest mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts added to the defense in both rounds.

In his latest two-round mock draft from ESPN, Todd McShay has the Indianapolis Colts selecting two defenders who could have an impact right away.

In the first round, the Colts get a gift as the uber-athletic and talented edge rusher in Kwity Paye falls to them at No. 21 overall.

Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

The Colts lost Denico Autry to the division-rival Titans, and Justin Houston remains unsigned. That means DeForest Buckner is the only player with at least five sacks in 2020 set to return for 2021. Indy’s defensive strength is a big part of its identity, and Paye has explosive speed off the edge. The production hasn’t caught up to the ability just yet, but his ceiling is very high. Alternatively, the Colts could target a defensive back or maybe reach a little bit for a receiver.

Edge rush is the biggest need for the Colts entering the draft and while it’s never best to draft solely based on need, Paye is an easy choice if he’s there at No. 21. His upside is incredible thanks to his length, bend and athleticism.

Paye may need to continue developing his game as a pass rusher but at No. 21 overall, the upside is well worth the pick.

In the second round, the Colts added to the secondary with a player who many believe would be a solid fit in cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu out of Syracuse.

Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse

The Colts crave some cornerback depth behind Xavier Rhodes, Kenny Moore II and Rock Ya-Sin, and Melifonwu has the skills to develop into a really strong press corner.

Melifonwu is a strong fit for the Colts. He has the length and press ability the Colts like while his athleticism would make him a solid addition to the zone-heavy defensive scheme.

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Bills Wire’s 2021 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: 3-round projections split in Round 1

Buffalo Bills 2021 NFL Draft mock from Bills Wire has RB Najee Harris, CB Caleb Farley as first-round picks.

It’s officially NFL Draft month as the calendar has turned to April. With the 2021 event now just a few weeks away, Bills Wire will start compiling their own picks for the Buffalo Bills with a series of mock drafts.

Editor Nick Wojton and contributor Justin DiLoro put together their first three-round guesses right here:

Report: Bills met with Syracuse’s Ifeatu Melifonwu at Senior Bowl

Buffalo Bills have pre 2021 NFL Draft meeting with Syracuse’s Ifeatu Melifonwu at 2021 Senior Bowl.

Nothing like a little homegrown-ish talent, right?

According to NYUP, the Bills met with a Syracuse University prospect, cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu, at the 2021 Senior Bowl ahead of this April’s draft:

Melifonwu, a junior, is a defensive back with size at 6-foot-2. According to The Draft Network, he would also best fit in a zone defense such as the one the Bills run under head coach Sean McDermott.

Say no more, right?

Pro Football Focus currently has Melifonwu No. 64 on their top-200 big board, but some mock drafts estimate Melifonwu as high as a late first-round pick. Most currently have him slated somewhere in the second round, or at least, Day 2 of the upcoming draft.

Buffalo has brought in competition at the No. 2 cornerback spot across from Tre’Davious White seemingly every offseason… with mixed results. Perhaps Melifonwu could be a longer term solution.

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2021 Senior Bowl: 5 standouts who could help the Jags from the American team

The Senior Bowl has come and gone, but there were several notables the Jags could draft from the American team like Kadarius Toney.

The Senior Bowl for the 2021 season has come and gone, and despite many hurdles, it proved to be a productive week. The process concluded Saturday (with a 27-24 win for the National team) after the actual all-star game was played, but the biggest evaluations come from the practices throughout the week.

The Jags have been known to select several stars from the Senior Bowl like Brandon Linder, D.J. Chark, Ben Bartch, and Gardner Minshew II. While there are new faces in the front office, fans shouldn’t expect that to change too much.

Now, with the process behind us, let’s look at some standouts who the Jags could have interest in as they have a wide range of needs to address this offseason:

Syracuse DB Ifeatu Melifonwu declares for 2021 NFL draft

Syracuse defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu is leaving school early and will declare for the 2021 NFL draft

Syracuse defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu is leaving school early and will declare for the 2021 NFL draft, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Listed at 6-3, 213 pounds, Melifonwu has an intriguing combination of size and athleticism, along with the versatility to play either corner or safety.

The younger brother of 2017 second-round pick Obi, the younger Melifonwu tallied 42 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception this season.

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