Why Jabril Cox fell to round 4

The Quest for Six · May 5, 2021

Undersize cover linebacker, Move him to Safety...

jterrell · May 5, 2021

atlantacowboy said:
Weaknesses

Plays upright from the second level too often.

Doesn't appear to be a very quick processor from inside.

Early play quickness limited by excessive thinking.

Lacking patience necessary to decipher misdirection.

Loses pursuit leverage and occasionally overflows cutback lanes.

Needs to become more aggressive taking on blocks.

Gets outside shoulder covered more than he should.

Inconsistent reading lane choices and blocking scheme.

Basically, he's Jaylon Smith. Slow to diagnose and react....... easily fooled on misdirection....wrong lanes ect. I'm not sure this defense can have 2 LBs like this........

He is about as opposite Jaylon as you can get.

Cox is a tremendous cover LB. He is good in space and rated highly in both zone and man. He plays clean in coverage with virtually no penalties drawn.
He is not a good run stuffer. He is a bit lean and not very physical having been a QB in high school. In fact I could very much seeing them use Cox as the Jaylon replacement in nickel/dime coverages as he develops physically to where he can play all 3 downs.

From Dane:

John813 · May 5, 2021

Every player has weaknesses. Even Jesus T. Lawrence himself isn't a perfect prospect.

Time will tell if those weaknesses were overblown, the player developed more or they are the Achilles heel for said player.

IMO though the main reason was his shoulder surgery over those weaknesses.

atlantacowboy · May 5, 2021

gp_cowpolk said:
Positives: Athletic, disciplined run-and-chase linebacker with solid size. Agile, fluid moving laterally, and gets tremendous depth on pass drops. Efficient, instinctive, and goes sideline to sideline covering a terrific amount of area. Remains disciplined with assignments, effectively reads the action, and takes proper angles to plays.

Quickly picks up coverage assignments, stays with backs downfield, and plays to his 40 time. Fluid in his hips, possesses good change-of-direction skills, and really stands out in coverage. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself and is rarely off his feet.

Yeah, I know but the positives don't explain why he's still available in round 4.

texbumthelife · May 5, 2021

The key for Cox will be how well he can put on weight and maintain his coverage abilities. If he can put on 15-20lbs without losing his lateral ability and quick first step, he'll have a home as a sub-LB at the very least. If he shows out in camp, I think Neal could see his papers.

jterrell · May 5, 2021

Who he actually compares to is a slightly leaner Myles Jack.
He is just not a great tackler. No real thump and fairly poor form.
No instinct to blow people up. But he gets to ball as all his tackles over the years shows
Few LBs have 15 sacks, 300+ tackles and 25+ passes defensed with 9 INT.
That's impressive.
But only one year at P5 level.

All in all he is a modern day nickel backer. Joe Thomas replacement with enough upside ot get on field on 3rd downs day 1 imo.

darthseinfeld · May 5, 2021

atlantacowboy said:
Yeah, I know but the positives don't explain why he's still available in round 4.

Because LB's aren't that valued. Also he is not a plus run stopper. He was considered a 3rd round prospect most places, so top the 4th isnt much of a slip

Pokes12 · May 5, 2021

RonnieT24 said:
Yep.. linebackers are not equipped to constantly be fighting off 320 pound dudes grabbing at them. Since the d-line has been sub par the linebackers have not really had a chance to show what they can or cannot do. All this noise about their lack of coverage skills is hilarious.. You know why guys like Gronk, Kelce, Kittle, Graham have destroyed defenses across the league? Because no linebacker is great in coverage. The good ones can anticipate and fill passing lanes but asking any of them to cover a good pass catching TE or RB one on one is a recipe for disaster. They do not possess the lateral agility and change of direction to be good at it. That's why Witten was able to get open on Y option even after he slowed down to a 5+ second 40 speed. Most linebackers couldn't even change direction with him. Put Jayon and LVE behind the Bucs or Rams d-line and both make the pro bowl.

This is perhaps the best written and accurate analysis of how the linebacker position is overwhelmed by great tight ends and running backs running to open spaces in the intermediate and short spaces. I agree with you on all you said.

DoctorChicken · May 5, 2021

I don't really see that on the tape with him. I see good instincts and good read and react ability.

Cox might not be a guy like Lee who knows what the play is before it happens, but his processing of the play and going to make the tackle seems fine.

quickccc · May 5, 2021

atlantacowboy said:
Weaknesses

Plays upright from the second level too often.

Doesn't appear to be a very quick processor from inside.

Early play quickness limited by excessive thinking.

Lacking patience necessary to decipher misdirection.

Loses pursuit leverage and occasionally overflows cutback lanes.

Needs to become more aggressive taking on blocks.

Gets outside shoulder covered more than he should.

Inconsistent reading lane choices and blocking scheme.

Basically, he's Jaylon Smith. Slow to diagnose and react....... easily fooled on misdirection....wrong lanes ect. I'm not sure this defense can have 2 LBs like this........

Jaylon has never displayed a knack for coverage, INT skills and change of direction that Cox is supposedly possesses.

baltcowboy · May 5, 2021

atlantacowboy said:
Weaknesses

Plays upright from the second level too often.

Doesn't appear to be a very quick processor from inside.

Early play quickness limited by excessive thinking.

Lacking patience necessary to decipher misdirection.

Loses pursuit leverage and occasionally overflows cutback lanes.

Needs to become more aggressive taking on blocks.

Gets outside shoulder covered more than he should.

Inconsistent reading lane choices and blocking scheme.

Basically, he's Jaylon Smith. Slow to diagnose and react....... easily fooled on misdirection....wrong lanes ect. I'm not sure this defense can have 2 LBs like this........

Same issues as LVE. Did you watch the Ravens game.

Chuck 54 · May 5, 2021

DBOY3141 said:
they got him for his coverage skills....multiple analysts stated he was the best cover LB in the draft

exactly....and they all said he was a liability vs. the run because he doesn't take on blocks.
Maybe he gets better and becomes an every down LBer, but if not, he's a niche player who can have an impact and cover a liability on passing downs. You don't find full time starters at every selection in the draft. This is also why I frown on the negativity about CB Wright....most know nothing but what the media guys say about him. No one knows the coach's plan or how he sees each player fitting a role within that scheme.

Reverend Conehead · May 5, 2021

We'll see how he does in training camp and if he even makes the team.

starman22 · May 5, 2021

jazzcat22 said:
I truly question if half of these posters are true Cowboys fans.
They probably are fans, but more in the fair weather category. Very fair weather.

LOL, I truly doubt that anyone following this team for the past couple of decades or so can be labeled a fair weather fan.

jazzcat22 · May 5, 2021

starman22 said:
LOL, I truly doubt that anyone following this team for the past couple of decades or so can be labeled a fair weather fan.

I known fans of teams for years and years. They say, well I used to watch them then this XXX happened...but once they start winning again they start taking good about them again. They stay fans, just don't pay much attention until they win. I seen it with many teams in the different areas I lived in.

I knew many fans said they were Dolphins fans, but when they were losing, they said...well I am from XXX so I like the XXX team also. I can understand that. But this was to an extreme. :laugh:

Same for DFW area. They loved Dallas when Landry was here, hated Jimmy but sure loved them after they won the 3 SB's. Then hated or disliked them, until Tony had them on the verge go winning, then disliked them again.

I call that a fair weather fan, but to each their own. It's not like they went and chose another team, however a few say, well, I always liked this team, and it just so happens to be a winning team.

My teams since I was 7 or 8, has always been the Cowboys. Even when the Bengals started in what, 1968, I liked them, as I grew up near there, and I still like them. But I lived in South Florida for 14 years, I never once claimed to like the Dolphins win or lose.

Bowdown27 · May 5, 2021

DBOY3141 said:
they got him for his coverage skills....multiple analysts stated he was the best cover LB in the draft

Exactly. with this new coaching staff and the possibility of Sean lee helping out the linebackers, cox will be fine and can make an impact on this team.

atlantacowboy · May 5, 2021

quickccc said:
Jaylon has never displayed a knack for coverage, INT skills and change of direction that Cox is supposedly possesses.

No but they are both unguided missiles on the football field and not smart players.

OmerV · May 5, 2021

atlantacowboy said:
Weaknesses

Plays upright from the second level too often.

Doesn't appear to be a very quick processor from inside.

Early play quickness limited by excessive thinking.

Lacking patience necessary to decipher misdirection.

Loses pursuit leverage and occasionally overflows cutback lanes.

Needs to become more aggressive taking on blocks.

Gets outside shoulder covered more than he should.

Inconsistent reading lane choices and blocking scheme.

Basically, he's Jaylon Smith. Slow to diagnose and react....... easily fooled on misdirection....wrong lanes ect. I'm not sure this defense can have 2 LBs like this........

There are comments on weaknesses in every draft profile. For example, look at some comments on Parsons … very similar to some on Cox.

There are some negatives to Parsons’ game; for one, he isn’t as instinctual with his keys, and he does tend to lose responsibility at times against the run. Attacks with ferociousness downhill but is susceptible to misdirection--he could develop better eye discipline.

JBond · May 5, 2021

atlantacowboy said:
Weaknesses

Plays upright from the second level too often.

Doesn't appear to be a very quick processor from inside.

Early play quickness limited by excessive thinking.

Lacking patience necessary to decipher misdirection.

Loses pursuit leverage and occasionally overflows cutback lanes.

Needs to become more aggressive taking on blocks.

Gets outside shoulder covered more than he should.

Inconsistent reading lane choices and blocking scheme.

Basically, he's Jaylon Smith. Slow to diagnose and react....... easily fooled on misdirection....wrong lanes ect. I'm not sure this defense can have 2 LBs like this........

Does he have two functional legs? That would be an improvement.

CouchCoach · May 5, 2021

I don't think he was drafted as a starting every down LB, he specializes in the coverage part and will most likely be rotational.

Coverage is not a strength of Parsons so maybe Cox can balance that?

He's a 4th rounder and not much risk.

Why Jabril Cox fell to round 4

The Quest for Six

Well-Known Member

jterrell

Penguinite

John813

Well-Known Member

atlantacowboy

Well-Known Member

texbumthelife

Well-Known Member

jterrell

Penguinite

darthseinfeld

Groupthink Guru

Pokes12

Well-Known Member

DoctorChicken

Well-Known Member

quickccc

Well-Known Member

baltcowboy

Well-Known Member

Chuck 54

Well-Known Member

Reverend Conehead

Well-Known Member

starman22

Well-Known Member

jazzcat22

Bowdown27

Well-Known Member

atlantacowboy

Well-Known Member

OmerV

Well-Known Member

JBond

Well-Known Member

CouchCoach