Why the Cowboys passed on Juan Thornhill and other safeties

[Jarv]

Call me crazy, and I know a few of you will...But I like Frazier at SS and have been wishing for him to get more action.

 

[JBell]

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).

4 games. But what do I know, I'm just a CowboysZone scout.

You posted a highlight reel. Did you expect to see any missed tackles?

Juan Thornhill Weaknesses

One of the things likely preventing Thornhill from being a prospect with a true first-round grade is the fact he has some issues with run defense, despite posting solid Pro Football Focus numbers here, as shown in the above video.

On occasion, Thornhill can take poor angles when pursuing a ball carrier from the backfield. The same is also true with receivers already possessing the ball long before Thornhill gets there.

This has led to some troubling technique and pursuit skills, which hopefully can be coached up at the pro level.

That said, Thornhill can be baited out of position with misdirections and fakes, which could make him something of a liability if he doesn’t shore up that element of his game.

https://ninernoise.com/2019/04/21/49ers-2019-nfl-draft-profile-juan-thornhill/

Weaknesses

• Body doesn't appear to carry the puffed-up weight total from the spring
• Narrow frame for work in the box
• Needs improvement in attacking blocks near the line
• Hasn't fully adjusted to run-pursuit angles as safety just yet

• https://www.nfl.com/prospects/juan-thornhill?id=32195448-4f54-9495-af73-48eb17033beb

Weaknesses:

• Missed tackles

• Not an interchangeable strong safety

• Can't be the eighth man in the box

• https://***USER-BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1***/scoutingreport2019jthornhill.php

Tackling -Like his pop through the pads, although his aiming point is pretty low and he'll miss some tackle challenges as a result.
He's pretty stout, although there's a bit of inconsistency with his tackling that is cause for concern.

I think he'll be limited in any coverage role he sees in the NFL, while not bringing enough physicality or instincts to thrive around the box.

Tackling - Is guilty of aiming too low, attempting to chop down ball carriers and dropping his head. Want to see him elevate his aiming point to eliminate misses.

https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/juan-thornhill

 

[America's Cowboy]

4 games. But what do I know, I'm just a CowboysZone scout.

You posted a highlight reel. Did you expect to see any missed tackles?


https://ninernoise.com/2019/04/21/49ers-2019-nfl-draft-profile-juan-thornhill/

• https://www.nfl.com/prospects/juan-thornhill?id=32195448-4f54-9495-af73-48eb17033beb

• https://***USER-BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1***/scoutingreport2019jthornhill.php

https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/juan-thornhill

Expect our Safeties to continue to miss tackles, miss assignments, whiff on tackles at the line of scrimmage or get burned in intermediate throws or deep coverage.

 

[Zekeats]

Why the Cowboys passed on Thornhill.

 

[luckyman76]

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.

This seems to track with their supposed interest in Joseph but the team is littered with SS. I want someone back there that can tackle but I cannot see any more of Heath and co getting beat deep so we need people that can cover and aren't out of position every damn time.

 

[JBell]

Expect our Safeties to continue to miss tackles, miss assignments, whiff on tackles at the line of scrimmage or get burned in intermediate throws or deep coverage.

If wanna ignore my post and think Thornhill's this perfect prospect because of a highlight video, I'm not gonna stop you.

I wanted to upgrade safety too. But the front office wants a specific skillset at SS.

 

[Hawkeye19]

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.

I do too... I am not saying that I like what they are doing at S, just what they are going to do. They have consistently refused to put resources into the position— I don’t see that changing anytime soon unfortunately

 

[America's Cowboy]

If wanna ignore my post and think Thornhill's this perfect prospect because of a highlight video, I'm not gonna stop you.

I wanted to upgrade safety too. But the front office wants a specific skillset at SS.

Hope they know what they are doing.

 

[TheCount]

I really like our first two picks, but still believe we're going to regret not doing anything at safety.

I think if they liked both, then they should have gone and got both. Nothing wrong with being aggressive.

 

[morasp]

They also offered a high draft pick for Earl Thomas. It was obvious they weren't going to draft a safety at 58 when Mickey wrote the article bracing fans for that reality. Mickey is usually the conduit for the front office and Jerry probably told him to rationalize not taking a safety at 58 so fans would be prepared.

Spagnola: Not Sure Safety First Applies To Draft .

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/spagnola-not-sure-safety-first-applies-to-draft

 

[CowboyRoy]

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.

First of all, Woods simply isnt good enough to be passing on guys like Thornhill. Was Rapp available at that spot because he was an amazing SS prospect.

But at least its nice to hear they understand that its the Horrid Heath that needs to be replaced first.

 

[CowboyRoy]

**"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.

Yep and how many times have we heard that the safeties in THIS defense are pretty much interchangeable?

 

[JBell]

Straight from McClay himself:

You eventually drafted a safety, Donovan Wilson in the sixth round. What did you like about him?

When you talk about how we play football and what our style is, defensively we’re a one-gap football team, which means you have to have eight down in the box and you have to trust your free safety. Which we do with Xavier Woods, who is going to be a really good player, that’s developing. You’re looking for a box safety, most of the guys that were in the draft, there were more box safeties than free safeties. We felt like the physical presence that Donovan brings can give us some competition at that spot and a chancellor-like presence in a single one-gap football defense.

"We're a one-gap football team, which means you have eight down in the box and have to trust your free safety. Which we do with Xavier Woods."

"You're looking for a box safety,"

No more evidence needed. That's what they wanted.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Straight from McClay himself:



"We're a one-gap football team, which means you have eight down in the box and have to trust your free safety. Which we do with Xavier Woods."

"You're looking for a box safety,"

No more evidence needed. That's what they wanted.

Not sure it can be any clearer than this.......lol

Further proof to me Thornhill was not a real option at 58.......

 

[JBell]

Not sure it can be any clearer than this.......lol

Further proof to me Thornhill was not a real option at 58.......

I think the interest in Thornhill was real. I think they liked his coverage ability and athleticism.

But the decision to pass was easier for them when looking at how Thornhill's skillset complimented Woods. He's not a box safety.

 

[TheGoat73]

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.

We drafted a CB who is a good tackler and is “a biscuit away” from safety size. Just sayin

 

[John813]

Call me crazy, and I know a few of you will...But I like Frazier at SS and have been wishing for him to get more action.

I expected more noise out him last year with Richard being here and saying some complimentary things about him. Then it seemed like he got less snaps at SS in 18 than in 17.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Not sure it can be any clearer than this.......lol

Further proof to me Thornhill was not a real option at 58.......

It makes no sense since Xavier Woods best attribute is his ability to lay the wood. Same goes for Heath and Frazier. All 3 are the same kinds of Safety... an in-the-box SS. What the Cowboys truly need is a better FS, which is what Thornhill would have brought to the table. Xavier Woods is more a SS. His problem is that he's too small, hence why they moved him to FS since he also has some coverage capabilities.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

It makes no sense since Xavier Woods best attribute is his ability to lay the wood. Same goes for Heath and Frazier. All 3 are the same kinds of Safety... an in-the-box SS. What the Cowboys truly need is a better FS, which is what Thornhill would have brought to the table. Xavier Woods is more a SS. His problem is that he's too small, hence why they moved him to FS since he also has some coverage capabilities.

He started 10 games last year as a FS.....according to Richard the starting position is his.

 

[America's Cowboy]

He started 10 games last year as a FS.....according to Richard the starting position is his.

Understood. I still believe they are playing Woods at FS for the reason I stated. Just watch film on him. What is his best attribute? Pass coverage or monster hits? I say...monster hits, but his body is too small to be a full-time SS and be able to absorb the pounding, hence why they moved him to FS because of his ability to cover somewhat.