Breaking down the top corners!

[darthseinfeld]

I’m very interested in Brian Branch from Bama. Not a traditional outside CB, but great in the slot and in zone. Can also play S and a good contributor in the run support. All depends on how Quinn views Bland. I think he played well enough to earn a starting spot next year, just a matter of if he’s best at slot or outside.

And I’ll be surprised if Darius Rush from South Carolina isn’t on Quinn’s radar. Not a top prospect, but his stock is on the rise after a strong performance at the Senior Bowl.

Bland will probably play slot on a lot of 5 and 6 DB sets, but outside in 4 DB sets. I expect him to be our #2 next year

 

[Cowboyny]

Ringo would be my guess on who the Cowboys would get if the picked CB at 26. Gonzales and Porter wont be there

I'm thinking the top 3 will be long gone by then, but there will be a few others who should slide, question is will the value at corner be higher then our other need areas or be the best player available? Believe Cam Smith/Ringo are probably the best out of the 2nd tier.

 

[Cowboyny]

Branch I trust. I like him as early as rd 2. I doubt he would be there in rd 3. His skill level and versatility is just too great to pass up.

He is being touted as a top 20 pick. Like his versatility, could be a replacement for Donovan Wilson.

 

[Cowboyny]

I really think the Cowboys are going to sign a veteran CB to replace Brown and ride with Bland and Lewis as the slot duo. Jerry and Stephen always seem to over correct. They drafted two guys in Joseph and Wright, they seem to be misses. Instead of drafting a corner who could possibly flame out again, they will sign a safer more expensive veteran guy and skip on drafting a CB again.

If they do sign a veteran, my pick would be Marcus Peters. Sign him to a 2 year 24 million dollar contract. Let him play the left outside role, that's were he usually plays. Diggs seems to prefer the right side boundary role anyway. Maybe Peters can teach Diggs how to tackle.

Problem is, veteran corners cost a ton on the open market. Bradberry who came off a bad yr with the Giants got 10 million from the Eagles.

 

[Cowboyny]

I have been talking about Witherspoon for a while now. I absolutely love that kid’s game. His mental make-up is exactly what you want in a NFL corner. His length is ok but he is a tad light.

I have been watching him during the season and hoping that Dallas could get him with their first round pick, but he played so well that he is likely going to be the first CB off the board. Physically, he isn’t the best prospect, but if you watch him play football, it is easy to see that he’s the best in this draft. I very much think he is going to be a great player. It is a shame because he would be perfect opposite Diggs.

He’s smart, aggressive, tough, and just a nightmare for WR’s. His ability to click and close is as good as any player that I’ve seen. It is instantaneous, which makes him ideal playing zone. He is just as good in man coverage though… he’s like a pit bull with those WR’s. He is a dog… He’s just a really, really good football player.

I like Gonzales a lot too. He doesn’t play CB as well as Witherspoon, but he’s physically more talented. He is probably Quinn’s prototypical CB prospect. He does have some ball skills and has plenty of room to grow and learn. The problem with him is that he too, will likely be gone before Dallas picks.

Porter, is also the Quinn prototype but he isn’t as good of a player as Gonzales, and certainly Witherspoon. I would trust Quinn to coach him up, because he has the physical tools for sure, but I don’t love his game right now. He is a pretty distant 3rd for me, behind Witherspoon and Gonzales. However, there’s a good chance that he is also gone before pick 26.

Ringo, I’m not crazy about either, but like Porter, Dallas will love his Physical tools. He might be there at Dallas’ pick but he too could be gone. If Quinn could work some magic with him, he could be very good… but he’s not that right now.

Branch is a guy that I really like. He is more of a safety though, but he is a good football player and is tough as Nails. he’s smart as hell and just super reliable. I don’t know if Dallas would take him needing corners, but I’d love to give him to Quinn to use how he wants. I love the guy.

Phillips is also a good player, and like Witherspoon, he’s a dog. However, physically he is just way shorter than either Dallas or Quinn wants. I understand wanting length I guess, but this guy has everything else. Dallas probably isn’t interested though.

Smith is not a bad prospect but he has some tools to work with, but not tools like Porter/Gonzales/Ringo.

Finally, Forbes is a guy that I like. His ability to play zone and man are pretty good already, and he can get you some turnovers. He is a ball-magnet. He definitely isn’t a great tackler but he gives you everything else and I like him. I just don’t like his tackling.

Excellent breakdown!

-Witherspoon gives me Sauce Gardner vibes, an alpha at the position. I grouped him with the other two as I believe those three are the 1st tier and should be off the board within the top 20.

-Ringo/Cam Smith seem more realistic to slide, but it isn't a guarantee, either. I know the Cowboys front office will love Ringo's traits. Remember, they were going to draft Horn, they have strong contacts at South Carolina.

-I know many are down on Diggs, but teams just stay away from him in coverage, being so scared of him picking them off. You add another, they would have no choice. However, Forbes just like Diggs and is such a poor tackler, probably could ill afford to have two of those types on the outside.

-The question is, will a player like Ringo or Cam Smith be the best available players at 26? Not so sure at this juncture. We do need a corner, at worse, better functional depth at the very least.

 

[cnuball21]

Don’t sleep on Ricks, Forbes and Banks.

All are studs that a chance to be late 1st rounders.

I’m also not that high on Ringo. Better athlete than football player. Gave up a lot of deep balls which is concerning.


Loaded class/

 

[baltcowboy]

Drafting Ringo is more about his traits then anything else, but a prospect the Cowboys usually love

Could Ringo be a cornerback version of Tyler Smith?

 

[Cowboyny]

Could Ringo be a cornerback version of Tyler Smith?

Certainly can, question is does he have that want to be great, like Tyler possesses or will he just rely on his physical gifts?

 

[Cowboyny]

Don’t sleep on Ricks, Forbes and Banks.

All are studs that a chance to be late 1st rounders.

I’m also not that high on Ringo. Better athlete than football player. Gave up a lot of deep balls which is concerning.


Loaded class/

Just put up some of the top guys, certainly more will be in consideration as the offseason progresses. Seen Banks mocked to us already.

 

[stilltheguru]

Could Ringo be a cornerback version of Tyler Smith?

No.

 

[timb2]

A couple of other mid round prospects to watch

Julius Brents from Kansas State

De'Jahn Warren from Jackson State

Nic Jones from Ball State

 

[AsthmaField]

Excellent breakdown!

-Witherspoon gives me Sauce Gardner vibes, an alpha at the position. I grouped him with the other two as I believe those three are the 1st tier and should be off the board within the top 20.

-Ringo/Cam Smith seem more realistic to slide, but it isn't a guarantee, either. I know the Cowboys front office will love Ringo's traits. Remember, they were going to draft Horn, they have strong contacts at South Carolina.

-I know many are down on Diggs, but teams just stay away from him in coverage, being so scared of him picking them off. You add another, they would have no choice. However, Forbes just like Diggs and is such a poor tackler, probably could ill afford to have two of those types on the outside.

-The question is, will a player like Ringo or Cam Smith be the best available players at 26? Not so sure at this juncture. We do need a corner, at worse, better functional depth at the very least.

I swear, I might would just go Branch at 26 before Ringo or Smith. Play him in the slot, on the back end… just about anywhere. At least that way, you’re guaranteed to get a damn good football player. A guy who is smart, tough, physical and wants to play the right way.

He isn’t an outside guy, but if you think Bland will be able to play outside, Branch would be a really nice addition to the defense. He can do so much. He doesn’t miss tackles, he plays a physical brand of football, and he’s just so smart. He would hit the ground running as a rookie.

I like him a whole lot.

 

[AsthmaField]

A couple of other mid round prospects to watch

Julius Brents from Kansas State

De'Jahn Warren from Jackson State

Nic Jones from Ball State

Brent’s seems like a Quinn corner. I was thinking maybe 4th round for him.

 

[Cowboyny]

I swear, I might would just go Branch at 26 before Ringo or Smith. Play him in the slot, on the back end… just about anywhere. At least that way, you’re guaranteed to get a damn good football player. A guy who is smart, tough, physical and wants to play the right way.

He isn’t an outside guy, but if you think Bland will be able to play outside, Branch would be a really nice addition to the defense. He can do so much. He doesn’t miss tackles, he plays a physical brand of football, and he’s just so smart. He would hit the ground running as a rookie.

I like him a whole lot.

He does remind me of Dax Hill from last yr. He is a chess type of piece for our secondary.

 

[AsthmaField]

He does remind me of Dax Hill from last yr. He is a chess type of piece for our secondary.

Yep. I actually like him more than I did Hill… though I did like him last year. Branch is just a guy you can count on for just about everything you’d need in the secondary.

I added a video to the post above. You can watch how he plays and if your a fan of defense… you like that kid.

 

[cowboyec]

joey porter,penn st is my hope if its a cb at 26.
k.ringo,georgia is another favorite if cb is the target at 26.
later.....
michigan's dj turner...brents,kst and cameron mitchell,nwestern.

 

[stilltheguru]

He does remind me of Dax Hill from last yr. He is a chess type of piece for our secondary.

Hill was overrated (I was on record about it) and he didn't do anything this year so I don't get the reference

 

[Cowboyny]

Hill was overrated (I was on record about it) and he didn't do anything this year so I don't get the reference

Hill had the ability to play all secondary positions. I know he was more of a backup this season, but they are expected to move on from their safety this offseason

 

[Cowboyny]

Yep. I actually like him more than I did Hill… though I did like him last year. Branch is just a guy you can count on for just about everything you’d need in the secondary.

I added a video to the post above. You can watch how he plays and if your a fan of defense… you like that kid.

He looks like another Micha Fitzpatrick to me, looks more like a safety, but with legit cover skills. Do like him a lot. Think he could replace Wilson if he leaves.

 

[stilltheguru]

Hill had the ability to play all secondary positions. I know he was more of a backup this season, but they are expected to move on from their safety this offseason

Yea I heard that all last off-season and I still didn't see the hype. He played 14 percent of Def snaps and didn't log a single Stat besides tackles. Not even a pass breakup. He may turn into something but so far he looks like what I thought.