Why the Cowboys passed on Juan Thornhill and other safeties

[JBell]

This might not come off as a surprise to fans who have been following along during the draft process, but this article confirms what many of us suspected: https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article229759614.html

They wanted a true SS type to compliment Xavier Woods, our FS of the future.

Yes, Marinelli was infatuated with Trysten Hill. But even our golden boy Kris Richard signed off on Hill over Thornhill.

But what’s also true is that defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Kris Richard co-signed the pick of the defensive tackle over the safety. According to sources, Richard felt free safety Xavier Woods has a chance to develop into a star. With Thornhill pegged as a free safety, which would force the Cowboys to play left and right safeties rather than true free and strong safeties, Richard cast his ballot for Hill (typo in article).

They are looking for a specific type of safety to compliment Xavier Woods.

Thornhill is not a SS because playing around the LOS is not one of his strengths. His tackling is suspect at times. I went over Thornhill film a few weeks ago here: https://cowboyszone.com/threads/juan-thornhill-do-not-want.432140/
Adderley and Gardner-Johnson are two other safeties that were available at #58 that also project better as free safeties. Taylor Rapp fits the mold of a SS, but wasn't in the discussion to be picked at #58, possibly due to medical or speed concerns.

Despite Stephen and Garrett's talk of wanting a safety that was "interchangeable", they tipped their hand with the type of safety they were looking for in free agency. Clayton Geathers, Eric Berry, and George Iloka were three free agent safeties they took a look at. All three are strong safety types who have the traditional traits of a SS. Size, physicality, sure tacklers.

Additionally, the Draft Show guys talked about how much the Cowboys loved Mississippi State SS Jonathan Abram, and how he was a potential trade up target. Abram fits the mold of a fast, physical, hard hitting throwback SS. Unfortunately, he went way ahead of #58, which put him out of reach.

The Cowboys did end up drafting a safety, Donovan Wilson, who not surprisingly is a SS type that has the traits discussed above. Although expectations aren't very high for a 6th rounder.

The Cowboys have a type at SS.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Let the best man win between Heath, Iloka, Frazier, and Wilson

 

[Hawkeye0202]

This might not come off as a surprise to fans who have been following along during the draft process, but this article confirms what many of us suspected: https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article229759614.html

They wanted a true SS type to compliment Xavier Woods, our FS of the future.

Yes, Marinelli was infatuated with Trysten Hill. But even our golden boy Kris Richard signed off on Hill over Thornhill.



They are looking for a specific type of safety to compliment Xavier Woods.

Thornhill is not a SS because playing around the LOS is not one of his strengths. His tackling is suspect at times. I went over Thornhill film a few weeks ago here: https://cowboyszone.com/threads/juan-thornhill-do-not-want.432140/
Adderley and Gardner-Johnson are two other safeties that were available at #58 that also project better as free safeties. Taylor Rapp fits the mold of a SS, but wasn't in the discussion to be picked at #58, possibly due to medical or speed concerns.

Despite Stephen and Garrett's talk of wanting a safety that was "interchangeable", they tipped their hand with the type of safety they were looking for in free agency. Robert Geathers, Eric Berry, and George Iloka were three free agent safeties they took a look at. All three are strong safety types who have the traditional traits of a SS. Size, physicality, sure tacklers.

Additionally, the Draft Show guys talked about how much the Cowboys loved Mississippi State SS Jonathan Abram, and how he was a potential trade up target. Abram fits the mold of a fast, physical, hard hitting throwback SS. Unfortunately, he went way ahead of #58, which put him out of reach.

The Cowboys did end up drafting a safety, Donovan Wilson, who not surprisingly is a SS type that has the traits discussed above. Although expectations aren't very high for a 6th rounder.

The Cowboys have a type at SS.

This was obvious .......but I think that fact they went hard after Earl Thomas, threw some fans off on how they were planning to play Woods. But the truth is since they considered ET an exception, they were willing to sacrifice Woods at his best position. Once the ET deal fell through, they settled on Woods playing his natural FS position. That explains every free agent safety they brought in after ET was SS type. Funny cost Broaddus kept saying he was pretty sure they like Rapp over Thornhill.

 

[Vanilla2]

Let the best man win between Heath, Iloka, Frazier, and Wilson

What number is Frazier?

 

[Tangle_Foot]

They passed because Trysten a difference maker, a defensive terror in the trenches, a beast, a man amongst boys. This guy has the inside track for defensive rookie of the year before the pads even go on. He's on the cover of the May edition of Draft Steal. He has the highest Madden rating of the 2019 draft class. Stop worrying about why, just enjoy it

 

[buybuydandavis]

Let the best man win between Heath, Iloka, Frazier, and Wilson

Contract year for 3 of those guys, and Wilson was widely panned as a pick. I expected them to do more, and better, at SS this year in preparation for the exodus.

 

[DandyDon52]

What number is Frazier?

Go to the dc.com and look at the roster, all numbers are there.

 

[Chuck 54]

Contract year for 3 of those guys, and Wilson was widely panned as a pick. I expected them to do more, and better, at SS this year in preparation for the exodus.

This is what many say, but if our safeties are so crappy, why would there be a mass exodus? Who’s going to overpay these guys and make us let them walk if they really stink. One can’t have it both ways.

Either they are good enough safeties to attract more money than we can pay or they are garbage, which means we can keep them as long as we want for cheap.

 

[Mr_437]

I don't know man...Marinelli getting his guy w/ higher rated players above Hill. Richard thinking X. Woods will be a star, and leaving 2 better pedigree FSs on the board. It's a slippery slope. Imo they left Thornhill on the board who was higher rated than Hill, and is a better FS prospect than Woods...I could be wrong but that's how I see it.

Maybe the Hill pick is Travis Fredrick-esque and X. Woods ends up a poor man's Earl Thomas.

 

[buybuydandavis]

This is what many say, but if our safeties are so crappy, why would there be a mass exodus? Who’s going to overpay these guys and make us let them walk if they really stink. One can’t have it both ways.

Either they are good enough safeties to attract more money than we can pay or they are garbage, which means we can keep them as long as we want for cheap.

I'm a big fan of the GOAT as a single high FS, but not as an in the box SS. Frazier just hasn't panned out. They tried to give him the box safety work, and Heath still ended up back there. Iloka is not even particularly a box SS. More balanced.

I expect Heath gets offered a decent salary. He played more total snaps than anyone on the defense this year. (Both he and Bryon played almost all defensive snaps, plus half the ST snaps). He provides value, and like Crawford, has position flex.

Frazier looks to be on a trajectory for career special teams player. Iloka is just barely above Frazier. Not guys I want replacing Heath as a starter.

Being able to sign back guys the league won't touch doesn't sound like a win to me. I really expected them to continue the hunt for a SS, but I think it was Broaddus saying he thinks the team is done shopping for them until final cuts.

 

[ESisback]

They passed because Trysten a difference maker, a defensive terror in the trenches, a beast, a man amongst boys. This guy has the inside track for defensive rookie of the year before the pads even go on. He's on the cover of the May edition of Draft Steal. He has the highest Madden rating of the 2019 draft class. Stop worrying about why, just enjoy it

Ok, so why did so many “experts” give us an average draft grade? We got Hill, but also managed to get a decent OL, 2 RBs, another underrated DE, etc. Not trying to be facetious, but...

 

[ColoradoCowboy]

Ok, so why did so many “experts” give us an average draft grade? We got Hill, but also managed to get a decent OL, 2 RBs, another underrated DE, etc. Not trying to be facetious, but...

Because they are idiots? Seriously. That and we had no 1st round pick.

I mean, I get it that they get PAID to talk about it, but no one knows yet which team "won" the draft. Just keep in mind that these are the same people that roundly panned the Travis Frederick pick. That should tell you all that you need to know.

 

[RoboQB]

Let the best man win between Heath, Iloka, Frazier, and Wilson

This board will be fun to watch when Dallas cuts Iloka, puts Wilson on IR and Heath beats out Frazier... still. (lol)

 

[xwalker]

What number is Frazier?

#35

 

[America's Cowboy]

Let the best man win between Heath, Iloka, Frazier, and Wilson

Heath will win out and keep his starting job. Just wait and watch.

Iloka is too slow.
Frazier is too small.
Wilson is identical to Frazier: big hitter but too small.

 

[America's Cowboy]

This board will be fun to watch when Dallas cuts Iloka, puts Wilson on IR and Heath beats out Frazier... still. (lol)

Yep

 

[America's Cowboy]

I don't know man...Marinelli getting his guy w/ higher rated players above Hill. Richard thinking X. Woods will be a star, and leaving 2 better pedigree FSs on the board. It's a slippery slope. Imo they left Thornhill on the board who was higher rated than Hill, and is a better FS prospect than Woods...I could be wrong but that's how I see it.

Maybe the Hill pick is Travis Fredrick-esque and X. Woods ends up a poor man's Earl Thomas.

Xavier Woods is too small and has average speed for a DB/FS. He gets pushed around by bigger, faster receivers. 5'11", 205 lbs, 4.55 40. Richard is playing Xavier Woods as if he's a FS, but in reality, X. Woods is more like a SS but in a smaller/shorter body.

 

[America's Cowboy]

This might not come off as a surprise to fans who have been following along during the draft process, but this article confirms what many of us suspected: https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article229759614.html

They wanted a true SS type to compliment Xavier Woods, our FS of the future.

Yes, Marinelli was infatuated with Trysten Hill. But even our golden boy Kris Richard signed off on Hill over Thornhill.



They are looking for a specific type of safety to compliment Xavier Woods.

Thornhill is not a SS because playing around the LOS is not one of his strengths. His tackling is suspect at times. I went over Thornhill film a few weeks ago here: https://cowboyszone.com/threads/juan-thornhill-do-not-want.432140/
Adderley and Gardner-Johnson are two other safeties that were available at #58 that also project better as free safeties. Taylor Rapp fits the mold of a SS, but wasn't in the discussion to be picked at #58, possibly due to medical or speed concerns.

Despite Stephen and Garrett's talk of wanting a safety that was "interchangeable", they tipped their hand with the type of safety they were looking for in free agency. Clayton Geathers, Eric Berry, and George Iloka were three free agent safeties they took a look at. All three are strong safety types who have the traditional traits of a SS. Size, physicality, sure tacklers.

Additionally, the Draft Show guys talked about how much the Cowboys loved Mississippi State SS Jonathan Abram, and how he was a potential trade up target. Abram fits the mold of a fast, physical, hard hitting throwback SS. Unfortunately, he went way ahead of #58, which put him out of reach.

The Cowboys did end up drafting a safety, Donovan Wilson, who not surprisingly is a SS type that has the traits discussed above. Although expectations aren't very high for a 6th rounder.

The Cowboys have a type at SS.

**"Thornhill is not a SS because playing around the LOS is not one of his strengths. His tackling is suspect at times."

Uhhh, what games of Thornhill did you watch? Many a time, Thornhillis seen making hits/tackles at, near or behind the line of scrimmage. His tackling and pass coverage is pretty good. Thornhill is a hybrid Safety who can play both SS and FS as the film shows.

 

[JBell]

**"Thornhill is not a SS because playing around the LOS is not one of his strengths. His tackling is suspect at times."

Uhhh, what games of Thornhill did you watch? Many a time, Thornhillis seen making hits/tackles at, near or behind the line of scrimmage. His tackling and pass coverage is pretty good. Thornhill is a hybrid Safety who can play both SS and FS as the film shows.

You posted a highlight film. I watched him on a snap by snap basis. I posted a link in the original post of the games I watched.

 

[America's Cowboy]

You posted a highlight film. I watched him on a snap by snap basis. I posted a link in the original post of the games I watched.

Yes, I know. A snap by snap basis based on what 1 or 2 games? Yet, even in the quick highlight reel I posted, it shows most of his plays in that reel itself were the opposite of what you said Thornhill can't do (tackling and making plays at or near the line of scrimmage like a true SS).