Tag: Simi Fehoko

WR Simi Fehoko will try to carve out role with Cowboys come camp

Simi Fehoko struggled during OTAs and will need a strong training camp to win the fifth receiver spot over Noah Brown. | From @StarConscience

The Dallas Cowboys 2021 season will unofficially begin next week in Oxnard, California once training camp commences. Several intriguing rookies will be fighting for early playing time, such as Jabril Cox, Kelvin Joseph, and Nahshon Wright. Those are all defensive guys, but there’s one on the offensive side of the ball that created quite a buzz when he was drafted in the fifth round in April.

Former Standard wide receiver Simi Fehoko caught the eye of a lot of evaluators by clocking a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds. His rare combination of size, length, and speed being added to a receiver room that has Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb gives gives Kellen Moore another shiny toy to play with, but making the roster won’t be easy for him.

The fourth receiver spot will likely be occupied by Cedrick Wilson, whose breakout performance came against the Seattle Seahawks last season with five receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The fifth spot is where Fehoko will have a chance to make his mark, however, another veteran will be standing in his way.

Noah Brown has been with the Cowboys since 2017. He’s virtually split his career snaps down the middle with 491 on offense (his 228 snaps last season equaled Wilson) and 461 on special teams. He had his best outing in 2020, much like Wilson, as he logged 14 receptions for 154 yards. His battle with Fehoko will be for more of a special team’s role in 2021, so he has the edge there over the rookie.

Fehoko has gotten off to a bit of a slow start as he didn’t seem to separate from defenders during OTAs according to the team’s website. However, training camp will provide a much larger body of work for him to impress the coaching staff.

The fifth-rounder knows his path to a roster won’t be easy, but he doesn’t lack confidence either.

“I’m still raw. I’m undeveloped. I really need one person to learn from,” Fehoko said after being drafted. “And I think that with my God-given abilities and gifts, there’s no reason that I can’t be the best WR in this draft class, if not the league.”

One of the best traits any young player can have is the willingness to learn and put in the necessary work it takes to perform on a high level in the NFL. That’s exactly what Fehoko is doing, which he mentioned back in May.

“All these guys are legitimate players in the NFL, sometimes arguably top five in the league,” Fehoko said. “Being able to work with them and around them is not only going to help me with my game, but I’m excited. I’m just excited to compete against them. We’re going to grow as a team and be a pretty solid wide receiver unit.”

It won’t just be Brown that Fehoko will have to battle in Oxnard. Undrafted free agents T.J. Vasher, Brennan Eagles and Brandon Smith will also be looking to secure one of the final roster spots, as will holdovers from last season such as Aaron Parker.

So, let the games begin. Fehoko has the tools to make the Cowboys roster and land a reserve role in camp. But, this won’t be in helmets and t-shirts, it’s time to get down in the dirt for real. Fehoko will have plenty of eyes on him before the season starts.

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News: Cowboys’ 2nd draft steal, Byron Jones 1 year later, longest 4th downs

Also examined, carrying just 2 QBs and RBs, Damontae Kazee’s upside, and why veteran Carlos Watkins could be fighting for a roster spot.

As the nation paused to commemorate Independence Day, news in NFL circles took a backseat. But plenty of good analysis and provoking food for thought from some of Cowboys Nation’s favorite sources provided topics of conversation for backyard barbecues and fireworks displays, even on the most non-football of holidays.

Among the items the fanbase is watching with just over two months until opening night: big expectations for newcomers Simi Fehoko and Damontae Kazee, and a lot on the line for veteran Carlos Watkins. Byron Jones’s departure is looking like a smart move one year removed, and keeping just two quarterbacks and two running backs on the roster may be the next bold decision by the team. There’s a difference of opinion on whether CeeDee Lamb should return punts, and a pair of nearly-forgotten Cowboys resurface on a list of the longest fourth-down conversions in history.

News: Cowboys’ 2nd draft steal, Byron Jones 1 year later, longest 4th downs

Also examined, carrying just 2 QBs and RBs, Damontae Kazee’s upside, and why veteran Carlos Watkins could be fighting for a roster spot.

As the nation paused to commemorate Independence Day, news in NFL circles took a backseat. But plenty of good analysis and provoking food for thought from some of Cowboys Nation’s favorite sources provided topics of conversation for backyard barbecues and fireworks displays, even on the most non-football of holidays.

Among the items the fanbase is watching with just over two months until opening night: big expectations for newcomers Simi Fehoko and Damontae Kazee, and a lot on the line for veteran Carlos Watkins. Byron Jones’s departure is looking like a smart move one year removed, and keeping just two quarterbacks and two running backs on the roster may be the next bold decision by the team. There’s a difference of opinion on whether CeeDee Lamb should return punts, and a pair of nearly-forgotten Cowboys resurface on a list of the longest fourth-down conversions in history.

‘Now it’s a job:’ Will McClay’s scouting report on all 11 Cowboys draft picks

The team’s VP of player personnel offers advice for the team’s rookies ahead of minicamp and gives his thoughts on each player.

Welcome to the NFL, rookies.

Friday marks the start of minicamp for 29 NFL teams, including the Cowboys. Drafted prospects, undrafted free agents, and others simply invited for tryouts- 31 players in all- will go through three days of initial evaluation at The Star in Frisco as they prepare to compete with the team’s veterans for a spot on the final roster.

Will McClay, the Cowboys’ vice president of player personnel and the man who had a hand in each one of them being given the opportunity, had a final word of advice for the youngsters.

“This isn’t college anymore,” McClay said, in part. “Now it’s a job.”

ESPN’s Todd Archer got McClay’s scouting report on all 11 of the Cowboys’ draft picks as they prepare for their first day on the company payroll. Here are excerpts from his comments:

Cowboys sign 4 draft picks to rookie contracts day before minicamp

The team’s fifth- through seventh-round selections all inked their deals prior to the start of Friday’s minicamp session.

The Cowboys made it official with four of their 2021 draft picks just a day ahead of the kickoff of rookie minicamp.

Wide receiver Simi Fehoko, defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna, cornerback Israel Mukuamu, and guard Matt Farniok each signed a four-year contract with the club on Thursday. Minicamp was set to begin the next morning at The Star in Frisco.

Those players represent the Cowboys’ final four selections of this year’s draft class; they were taken in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. The team’s other seven draft picks still have an opportunity to sign a deal before the start of Friday’s practice, but rookies are permitted to take part in camp sessions even without a contract.

They will be joined by this year’s crop of undrafted free agents, tryout invitees, and first-year veterans who spent last season on the practice squad. The team expects 31 players in all to participate in minicamp, which goes through Sunday.

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Cowboys announce rookie jersey numbers, Parsons gets Penn State 11

The Cowboys announced jersey numbers for their rookies. Micah Parsons get his old college number 11, and others gets those of past stars.

The NFL recently adjusted its rules when it comes to jersey numbers, loosening restrictions about who can wear what. Running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and linebackers can all wear single-digit numbers, starting in 2021. For veterans, switching jersey numbers comes with a weird expense. The players have to buy out their old numbers, at retail price, or wait until 2022.

The draft is less than a week old, but newcomers to the league have no such restrictions. The newest rookies of the Dallas Cowboys know what numbers they’ll be wearing under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium now, and their first-round selection Micah Parsons has taken advantage of the opportunity to keep his Penn State jersey number alive, No. 11.

While Cedrick Wilson is the most recent wearer of the number, the most famous recent wearer is ex-Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley. Parsons took to Twitter once it was announced, and seemed extremely pleased as he posted a picture of himself rocking his old number standing over the home of the Cowboys.

The former Nittany Lion will be an important piece of the Cowboys defense right off the bat playing alongside Jaylon Smith and Keanu Neal, and the expectation, as it is with all first-rounders, is for him to continue the dominant play from his college days.

Several other rookies will have big shoes to fill with their new numbers as well. Second-round pick Kelvin Joseph will sport the No. 24, recently vacated by Chidobe Awuzie and once worn by Everson Walls. He made four Pro Bowls, was a three-time first-team All-Pro, and lead the NFL in interceptions three times during his nine-year career (1981-1989) in Dallas. Also, Marion Barber rocked it for six years (2005-2010) and scored 47 rushing touchdowns as one of the league’s toughest runners.

Third-round pick Nahshon Wright will wear No. 40 which was made famous in Dallas by special teams wizard Bill Bates for 15 seasons (1983-1997). Bates was named to the Pro Bowl in 1984, becoming the first special teams player to receive such an honor. He was also named an All-Pro that season and was a member of the Cowboys dynasty in the 1990s that won three Super Bowls.

Speedster Simi Fehoko was taken in the fifth round to add depth to the Cowboys receiver group, and his No. 81 comes with high expectations. Hall of Famer Terrell Owens played for the Cowboys for three seasons (2006-2008) and registered 1,000 yards every year, made a Pro Bowl, an All-Pro team, and scored 38 touchdowns over that span.

Fehoko leaked the news Monday when he posted a picture of himself wearing the old number of Owens, and the caption was his infamous phrase “Get your popcorn ready”.

Here’s a full list of all of the new assignments.

11: LB Micah Parsons
24: CB Kelvin Joseph
75: DT Osa Odighizuwa
59: DE Chauncey Golston
40: CB Nahshon Wright
48: LB Jabril Cox
76: OT Josh Ball
81: WR Simi Fehoko
98: NT Quinton Bohanna
38: S Israel Mukuamu
68: C/G Matt Farniok

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‘It’s been written:’ WR Simi Fehoko gets special phone call from Cowboys war room

The Stanford wide receiver says he was destined to be a Cowboy, based on his very first Halloween costume.

Whatever happens with the rest of Simi Fehoko’s Cowboys career, the wide receiver will no doubt always remember the unique way it started. When he got the call during Saturday’s fifth round to tell him he was the 179th overall selection, it wasn’t the voice of owner Jerry Jones that he heard on the other end of the line. It wasn’t chief operating officer Stephen Jones. It wasn’t vice president of player personnel Will McClay. It wasn’t even head coach Mike McCarthy.

It was actually the team’s chief brand officer who officially offered the first Cowboys greeting to Fehoko.

“Hi, Simi, this is Charlotte Jones. I’m Jerry’s daughter,” the call began.

“I am a fellow Stanford alum, and I just wanted to welcome you to the Dallas Cowboys. We could use some more smart people around here.”

The Cardinal receiver has had an interesting path just to get to the NFL, so perhaps it’s no surprise that his introductory phone call was just a little out of the ordinary, too.

The 6-foot-3 Fehoko was a two-time All-Pac-12 player during his time in Palo Alto. Last season, he set a school single-game record with 16 catches (for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns) in the double-overtime Rose Bowl against UCLA. He finished his Stanford career with the third-best yards-per-catch average in school history.

At 23 years old, Fehoko is not the average rookie. The Utah native spent two years on a mission trip to South Korea before starting college. And having gotten married in early 2020 just as the pandemic began, he and his wife haven’t even had a chance to travel for a proper honeymoon; Fehoko joked with media members that his first trip to Frisco would have to suffice.

Fehoko was arguably destined to be a Cowboy. Following his first interview with the Dallas media, Fehoko shared a photo on Twitter of himself wearing the star and a Troy Aikman jersey as his very first Halloween costume.

“I grew up a Cowboys fan,” Fehoko told reporters on a conference call Saturday.

If Fehoko wants to be issued a real Cowboys uniform, though, he’s likely going to have to make an impact on special teams. With a stocked wide receiver room, playing time as a pass-catcher may be hard to come by for the rookie.

But at least the owner’s daughter will be pulling for him.

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10 players the Lions could target Day 3 of 2021 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions will look to round out their 2021 NFL Draft heading into Day 3 and some of these players may interest the Lions

We have arrived at the final day of the 2021 NFL Draft, and the Detroit Lions have only two selections, one in the fourth (112) and one in fifth (153), to either try to fill any remaining gaps or make a particular unit that much stronger.

GM Brad Holmes has been content on staying put and allow the draft to come to him, so it might be slim he works a trades to accumulate further picks. He was able to address some weak points on defense with Levi Onwuzurike to play the 3-tech, Alim McNeill at the nose, and Ifeatu Melifonwu as a versatile press corner.

Holmes is sticking to his board, taking the best players he feels could help the team versus reaching for needs and pigeonholing them in any way. Some of the needs they might address in Day 3 are wide receiver, linebacker, or safety.

Here are a few players that could pique the interest of the Lions front office and put a stamp on what has been a solid draft so far.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC

St. Brown is projected to fit best in the slot, but it is not out of the realm he could push outside as well. Even though he is on the smaller end, he makes up for it with a competitive streak that coaches will love. He has strong route-running ability, tracks the ball with ease, and could become a returner as well if asked.

Jabril Cox, LB, LSU

The Lions have put a premium on athleticism this draft, and Cox is filled up to the rim with it. He is one of the more athletic linebackers allowing to cover in any scheme coverage. Due to his size, he may struggle with blocks and run defending, but he could potentially turn into a three-down defender with his strong character and athletic ability.

Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State

Wallace had a very productive career at Oklahoma State, racking up 3,316 yards and 26 touchdowns during his collegiate career leading his team in yards the last two years. He is a route tactician allowing him to find the gaps in coverage and put himself to make the catch with strength and catch radius. He may lack size and not have the greatest speed, but he is a versatile receiver that can line up inside and outside and make the strong contested catch.

Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State

When Nasirildeen walks into the room, you notice him with a towering figure that gives the edge especially playing safety. He has the physicality to make his presence felt and a toughness that is unmeasurable. He finds himself in trouble from time with his route anticipation and eye discipline lacking while suffering a torn ACL late in 2019, affecting his 2020 status. Still, he has the character and versatility to make it has a hybrid safety while seeing time on special teams.

Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana

A player most thought to be off the board by now is sitting there as a top player heading into Day 3 that the Lions could be eyeing. He was primarily lining up as a free safety in Indiana; he has versatility and size to play in the box and split up the duties. He may shy away from tackling, but his range and ball skills would make him an interesting option to play alongside Tracy Walker.

Trey Smith, G, Tennessee

The Lions have stocked the cupboard with some massive players so far this draft, and it wouldn’t be out of the question they could make another individual that brings the offensive line its final piece. He is a mauler upfront and not afraid to knock you in the chin and could fill in a tackle in a pinch. For a big man, though, he may not have the best body control, and recovering from blood clots in his lung may take him, draft boards. If everything is clear, the Lions could have their guard of the future.

Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue

He may not look like the prototypical linebacker measuring at only 6 feet; he does have a wicked skill set that makes him valuable as an outside linebacker in coverage or play off the edge. He can find a valuable home as a core special teamer while playing certain defensive situations with his high motor, length, and reaction skills.

Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford

He is one of the older players on the circuit, but his ball skills make him a very enticing player in the later rounds worth developing. He has excellent body control and reliable hands, with most of his catches resulting in a first down or touchdown. He can line up inside or outside depending on the situation with his impressive short-area quickness while seeing some at special teams while he improves his route running,

Quincy Roche, Edge, Miami

There is no denying the production Roche was able to produce in college, racking up 30.5 sacks during his time at Temple and Miami. With his high motor and first-step quickness, he gains that valuable edge to make the highlight plays in the backfield. He might find a hard time adjusting to the NFL with his average length, especially against NFL tackles, but he has the effort and toughness that could overcome those deficiencies.

Jacob Harris, TE, UCF

Even though he labeled as a tight end, he fits in that same category as Kyle Pitts as an offensive weapon, and his athleticism was on full display at his Pro Day, putting up numbers that only Pitts was able to muster. Now Harris was 30 pounds light than Pitts; the traits are there the coaches can harness. The production lacks only 49 catches and less than 1,000 yards in his career, but he can play as a valuable receiving threat that can mismatch all day.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. fills holes in Chargers 3-round mock draft

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gives the Chargers a tackle, edge defender, cornerback and wide receiver in his latest mock draft.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay went back and forth on a mock draft where they projected the first three rounds on Tuesday.

Kiper was responsible for the Chargers’ selections.

Here’s an in-depth look at all four of his picks and how each would fit in Los Angeles.

Round 1, No. 13, Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

If you’re placing a bet on who L.A. will select in the first-round, I’d say to put the majority of your money on Darrisaw.

After hearing head coach Brandon Staley talk at his press conference, he wants to get bigger along the offensive line, and Darrisaw possesses the size and length necessary at 6-foot-4 and 322 pounds with 34 1/4-inch arms.

I’ve said this before but if Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater are off the board, my first preference would be Teven Jenkins. However, Darrisaw would be a fine selection still.

Overall, Darrisaw needs to become a better finisher, but he has excellent ability in pass protection, physicality in the run game, size and length and overall experience at the position, having 35 starts at left tackle.

McShay surprised me by taking Rashawn Slater at No. 8, but I don’t think it’s out of the question that Darrisaw goes this high. He could be L.A.’s starter at left tackle as a rookie.

Round 2, No. 47, Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State

In the second-round after taking a tackle, I’d like to see the Chargers address the secondary. However, Staley could be looking to find his ideal edge defender to compliment Uchenna Nwosu.

Like I mentioned in an article when describing Staley’s mold for a player at the position, he covets length, explosiveness and the ability to set the edge versus tight ends and “dominate” the edge in the run game.

Oweh checks all the boxes.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds with 34 1/2-inch arms, Oweh is an athletic freak off the edge with excellent speed (4.37 40) and hand quickness to stress blockers.

While unrefined with his technique and counters, Oweh is the type of player that Staley would love to develop.

Oweh has gotten some buzz as a first-rounder because of his athletic traits, but I wouldn’t take a chance on him that high. The Chargers can let him be a situational pass-rusher as a rookie.

Round 3, No. 77, Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota

The Chargers finally address the cornerback position in Round 3.

Hailing at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds with a wingspan of more than 80 inches, St-Juste uses his length and strength to his advantage to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point to disrupt throwing lanes. He also has fantastic speed and agility to stay attached down the field.

With L.A., St-Juste could be a versatile defensive back who plays on the outside and some safety. His deep speed, length and competitive toughness would carry over well as a gunner or jammer on special teams coverage units, as well.

It was either corner or receiver here, and St-Juste has some upside. He made only 14 starts in college after transferring from Michigan. He could be Chris Harris Jr.’s successor.

Round 3, No. 97, Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford

I would round out the secondary by taking a safety here, but addressing the wide receiver position with his an eventual starter is not a bad way to go, knowing that Mike Williams will be playing in the final year of his contract.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 222 pounds, Fehoko possesses outstanding an size/speed combination. His frame, body control and ability to high-point the football should lead to early success as a red zone and possession target,

When combining his vertical speed to eat up cushion and his solid tracking skills and physicality against defensive backs, Fehoko could quickly turn into a go-to target for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Fehoko is a 6-foot-4 receiver who averaged 23.6 yards per catch in 2019. If the Chargers let Mike Williams walk next offseason, Fehoko could be the favorite to replace him. He needs to get red zone targets as well.

Pro Day preview for March 18: Potential Giants targets

A quick breakdown of the Pro Days being held on March 18 and who the New York Giants may be scouting at each.

The college pro days continue on Thursday with eight schools holding workouts featuring their draft-eligible players. One school – Louisiana-Monroe – did not have any players rated by any of the top draft sites although they had one invited to the Combine in RB Josh Johnson.

Here’s the schedule and some possible players the New York Giants could be targeting.