Senior Bowl 2022 Who should the Cowboys keep an eye

Senior Bowl 2022: Who should the Cowboys keep an eye on in

by

With the 2021 NFL season drawing to a close, several teams are already turning their attention to the upcoming Draft. In fact, this Saturday the franchises will be able to take a look at some of the new crop of talent from college football. And this will happen in the traditional Senior Bowl.

For those who don’t know, the Senior Bowl is an all-star game held annually in Mobile, Alabama, after the college football season is over. This meeting brings together talents who are in their final year of college and who are already eligible to make the jump to the NFL. For this reason, many consider that the road to the Draft each year begins in Mobile.

In fact, several of the players who are now part of the NFL’s elite participated in the Senior Bowl. Such is the case with Zack Martin (Cowboys), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Deebo Samuel (49ers) and, more recently, quarterback Mac Jones (Patriots). Therefore, this game is a very important showcase for young players who aim to make the leap to professional football this year.

Of course, the Cowboys are no strangers to fishing among the talents participating in the Senior Bowl. In the last eight years, the cowboy team has drafted 18 players who came through the event in Mobile, Alabama. And most of these picks have paid off for the Cowboys. This is due to the management of Will McClay, Dallas’ current vice president of player personnel.

McClay has been behind the arrival of some players who have participated in the Senior Bowl in the last eight years. Zack Martin, Dak Prescott, Tony Pollard, Michael Gallup, and Cedrick Wilson are just a few of those names.

However, the Cowboys have increased their “fishing” for talent in Mobile. In the last two years they have chosen six players in the Draft who participated in the Senior Bowl. In 2020 the selected ones were Neville Gallimore, Bradlee Anae and Reggie Robinson II. Meanwhile, in 2021, it was the turn of Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Golston and Jabril Cox.

Now, Will McClay will once again have the task of detecting this Saturday the potential prospects that can reach Dallas this year through the Draft. This, of course, depending on the current needs of the team. It is true that there are many Cowboys players who will become free agents and whose continuity is not yet certain. However, there is already some idea of ​​what positions Dallas could bolster with young talent.

Here are five players the Cowboys can’t miss this Saturday at the Senior Bowl:

#1: Daniel Faalale, offensive lineman (Minnesota)

Right now, many don’t believe the Cowboys are looking to beef up their offensive line in the upcoming Draft. And if they do, it would be to cover the possible departure of guard Connor Williams after his constant penalties in 2021. However, Dallas may also have to think about a future replacement for tackle Tyron Smith. And, in that section, Daniel Faalale would be a great reinforcement. Literally speaking.

With a height of 2.06 meters and 172 kg of weight, Faalale is one of the prospects with the largest wingspan for the next Draft. The offensive lineman from Australia plays at tackle and is poised to be one of the NFL’s great young talents. Someone with his characteristics could be perfect for Dallas, especially considering Smith’s eventual retirement.

#2: Phidarian Mathis, defensive tackle (Alabama)

According to analysts, the Cowboys could strengthen their defensive line through the next Draft. It is true that the cowboy team has several young talents in that position (Neville Gallimore, Trysten Hill, Osa Odighizuwa, Quinton Bohanna…) but they may want to add another piece. And that someone could be Phidarian Mathis.

The defensive lineman is coming off his best year in college football with Alabama. In 14 games, Mathis recorded 53 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. With these numbers, more than one scout present in Mobile will want to take a closer look at this prospect.

#3: Trey McBride, tight end (Colorado State)

Although Dalton Schultz will become a free agent in March, the Cowboys are likely to get him back. However, they will likely part ways with Blake Jarwin in the offseason. And while the cowboy team would have Sean McKeon at second tight end, they could use a young talent at that position.

In that case, Trey McBride aims to be one of the most sought-after tight ends in the Draft. In his senior year of college, the Colorado State product had 90 receptions for 1,121 yards. And while he barely managed a touchdown, McBride also stood out as a reliable target for quarterbacks and a good route runner.

#4: James Cook, receiver/running back (Georgia)

In theory, the Cowboys wouldn’t come to the Draft looking for a high-end first-round receiver. And even less with the overall selection #24. However, if the team decides not to have Michael Gallup or Amari Cooper for 2022 on the salary cap, they could consider reinforcing this position. And a great option would be James Cook.

Crowned as a national champion with Georgia, Cook stands out as a dual threat by being able to play as a receiver and as a running back. And that’s versatility that can prove valuable, just as it does with Deebo Samuel on the 49ers. In 2021, Cook recorded 113 carries for 728 yards and 7 touchdowns. Besides, he had 27 receptions for 284 yards and four more touchdowns.

In theory, it sounds highly unlikely the Cowboys would decide to go after him. First, Dallas would have to trade up to get him. And second, having Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in the running back wouldn’t guarantee Cook opportunities in the rushing game. Therefore, it would be a piece for which he would have to move many pieces. And the receiver position, right now, is not as high a priority for Dallas when thinking about reinforcements.

#5: Coby Bryant, cornerback (Cincinnati)

Lastly, another position the Cowboys might not build on in the Draft is cornerback. This, let’s remember, after choosing Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright in 2021. Even the two of them are expected to have more opportunities this year. But if Dallas wanted to go looking for another cornerback in this year’s Draft, an alternative would be Coby Bryant.

The product of Cincinnati arrives at the Senior Bowl as one of the talents to keep an eye on, this due to his numbers in 2021: 44 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss of yards, 11 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and a touch downs However, Bryant wouldn’t fit coordinator Dan Quinn’s preferred profile of long-armed defenders. Besides, Dallas needs more safeties than cornerbacks right now.

Perhaps it’s too early to tell if any of the many talents who will be at the Senior Bowl this Saturday in Mobile will end up with the Cowboys at the end of April. However, the cowboy team relies on Will McClay’s keen eye to spot prospects who could wear Dallas colors. Either way, the road to the 2022 Draft has already begun. And there is still a long way to go.

We would love to thank the writer of this article for this outstanding content

Senior Bowl 2022: Who should the Cowboys keep an eye on in

Related posts:

Shanahan 'happy' with Purdy and Lance as QBs for 2023
Tom Brady and the end of an era of quarterbacks in the NFL: Roethlisberger, the Mannings, Brees... o...
Texans hire DeMeco Ryans as coach
NFL: Sean Payton, new Denver Broncos coach for next season