BTB Cowboys 2014 Draft: What Kind Of Seventh-Rounders Will Dallas Target?

[RS12]

With that said, let's take a closer look at each of them, pieced together from articles and scouting reports.

Howard Jones, LB/ DE, Shepherd (6-3, 235):

Jones, who notched 35 sacks as a collegian, made a big splash at the Combine, showing off elite athleticism with a 4.6 forty-yard dash (10-yard split of 1.68), 40.5" vertical (tops among defensive linemen), 10'4" broad jump and 7.16 3-cone time (5th among DL). Moreover, scouts raved that he "moved like a basketball player" during position drills. While this display probably surprised casual observers, those who had watched him play expected it. "Howard might very well be the best athlete on our team," said Shepherd head coach Monte Cater, "I’m not sure he isn’t the fastest player on our team....He just has great speed and quickness. He can accelerate so quick off the football. He is a gifted athlete, no doubt about it."

Here's NFL.Com's Nolan Nawrocki on Jones:

Muscular build with long arms [34 1/8"]. Intriguing athleticism. Outstanding straight-line speed and leaping ability. Explosive edge burst. Displays good balance, body control and agility as a rusher. Dips inside suddenly. Closes fast and shows striking ability. Flashes power potential. Has special-teams experience. Durable four-year starter....Lean, explosive, highly athletic rush linebacker prospect who overwhelmed inferior tackles at the Division II level and has clear developmental value and upside potential.

Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty (6-1, 205):

Aikens is a former BCS-level player (at Illinois) who transferred to tiny Liberty after being dismissed from the team after a theft conviction. While his character might be a red flag, his athleticism is beyond dispute. Aikens is a tall, athletic, fluid athlete with an NFL body, long arms (32 1/4"), light feet and loose hips to turn and run with receivers. In addition, he has legit NFL speed; he posted forty times in the 4.37-4.4 range at his pro day on March fourth. These traits were on display at the Senior Bowl, where he wowed scouts and showed no ill effects from the jump in competition:

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...t-kind-of-seventh-rounders-will-dallas-target

 

[xwalker]

With that said, let's take a closer look at each of them, pieced together from articles and scouting reports.

Howard Jones, LB/ DE, Shepherd (6-3, 235):

Jones, who notched 35 sacks as a collegian, made a big splash at the Combine, showing off elite athleticism with a 4.6 forty-yard dash (10-yard split of 1.68), 40.5" vertical (tops among defensive linemen), 10'4" broad jump and 7.16 3-cone time (5th among DL). Moreover, scouts raved that he "moved like a basketball player" during position drills. While this display probably surprised casual observers, those who had watched him play expected it. "Howard might very well be the best athlete on our team," said Shepherd head coach Monte Cater, "I’m not sure he isn’t the fastest player on our team....He just has great speed and quickness. He can accelerate so quick off the football. He is a gifted athlete, no doubt about it."

Here's NFL.Com's Nolan Nawrocki on Jones:

Muscular build with long arms [34 1/8"]. Intriguing athleticism. Outstanding straight-line speed and leaping ability. Explosive edge burst. Displays good balance, body control and agility as a rusher. Dips inside suddenly. Closes fast and shows striking ability. Flashes power potential. Has special-teams experience. Durable four-year starter....Lean, explosive, highly athletic rush linebacker prospect who overwhelmed inferior tackles at the Division II level and has clear developmental value and upside potential.

Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty (6-1, 205):

Aikens is a former BCS-level player (at Illinois) who transferred to tiny Liberty after being dismissed from the team after a theft conviction. While his character might be a red flag, his athleticism is beyond dispute. Aikens is a tall, athletic, fluid athlete with an NFL body, long arms (32 1/4"), light feet and loose hips to turn and run with receivers. In addition, he has legit NFL speed; he posted forty times in the 4.37-4.4 range at his pro day on March fourth. These traits were on display at the Senior Bowl, where he wowed scouts and showed no ill effects from the jump in competition:

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...t-kind-of-seventh-rounders-will-dallas-target

What position would Howard Jones play for the Cowboys?

 

[ThreeandOut]

Last year there were a few players with 3rd or 4th round draft grades on the board available in the 7th round. If there are any available this year, they will be targeting those players.

 

[RS12]

Cowboys Nation: Let's move from running backs to fullbacks. Simple question -- are there any in this draft?

TD: A few years ago there was a good draft with four prospects. One got drafted around the fourth round and two went undrafted. One of those un-drafted guys, Henry Hynoski from Pitt, was probably the best of that bunch.

In this group the one everyone likes is from Auburn. His name is Jay Prosch. He's 6'1", 254. He's probably a 4th to 5th rounder. After that, the two guys I've heard a lot about are J.C. Copeland from LSU and Ryan Hewitt from Stanford. Hewitt's tall, 6'4" 245. You don't see height like that often at fullback. Copeland is 5'11", 270. Both played in offenses that used a traditional fullback.

With these lead blockers, where do you find them? The Buccaneers used one last year, Eric Loring, who played defensive end at Stanford. The 49ers had a fullback, Bruce Miller, who played defensive end at Central Florida.

What you're looking for is attitude, knee flexion, hip flexion, the ability to play in tight quarters, and some pop. Just because a guy isn't a fullback doesn't mean a team isn't looking at him as a fullback.

CN: Let's shift back to backs for a minute, because I want to put them in a different context. Through a variety of trades and supplemental picks, the Cowboys have six selections in the 7th round this year. That's one more than they have in the previous six rounds. It's a mini draft at the end.

http://www.cowboyszone.com/2014/03/dallas-cowboys-2014-draft-chat-part-37.html

 

[Leadbelly]

HoJo sounds a lot like Jason Williams part II, but maybe he could be a situational rusher for us. Also, Davon Coleman is an interesting developmental 3T DT but hopefully we've fortified the position before round 7.

I'm not super concerned about Dallas' ability to draft well in the 7th. They're one of the best at finding players late or undrafted. Cold comfort when we consider the compensatory picks are in return for two wasted 1st round picks. The methodology Dallas uses (as laid out by BTB) is pretty sound. They don't really swing for the fences with total projects. (That's what the 4th round is for, right Jerry?)