Cowboys meeting with Obi Melifonwu today

[ConceptCoop]

He missed literally the first tackle in the first video of that string there. He had a great angle on that play and missed it by a mile.

I mean, CMON MAN lol

He was the 17th most efficient tackler in the nation last year. Every body misses tackles. Only 16 players in the nation missed less frequently than Obi.

Edit: In that game, Obi had 7 tackles, 1x TFL, 1x INT and 1x Fumble recovery.

 

[DBOY3141]

I can't wait to see which one they take. It could be Peppers, Baker, Jones, or King.

Have not seen Budda or Josh Jones on the invite list. I say if they don't come in, Cowboys won't be drafting them. Sad. Both are my pet cats.

 

[waving monkey]

I'm not an expert either. Nor do I make it a point to watch many UConn games. But, as a casual, I don't see what more people want from the SS spot. The production is there. He made plays in coverage; he was great run support; he showed coverage ability from the corner spot at the senior bowl. If he played at Michigan, he wouldn't be coming out of nowhere and would have received plenty of attention before the combine.

I do agree that he's likely not a top 30 pick without the combine. But we can't pretend the combine didn't happen and isn't a very important part of the process. There just aren't many guys who can do the things he can do at 6'3", 225 pounds. We're talking about a Julio Jones level athlete here. And don't forget that Julio wasn't a top 6 pick before his crazy combine either.

if Obi is a Julio type talent I'm in

 

[morasp]

NFL.com has him ranked at 72.

Strengths
Elite size with premium athletic traits that should show up at combine testing. Four-year starter. Sharp focus when ball is in the air. Takes path to the ball with undercut of the route at the last second. Plus hand-eye coordination to flip the field with interceptions. Former cornerback who has the athleticism to cover matchup tight ends and some big slots. Posted six interceptions over last two seasons. Uses big frame to body-up seam-runners and constrict their windows. Downhill tackling machine. Plus range with a wide net to bring runners down once he gets his arms into them. Body-up hitter. Drastically reduced penalties totals over junior and senior season.

Weaknesses
Leggy and gets feet bundled up when asked to turn and sprint. Lacks desired instincts and will play with slow eyes at times. Has to see ball in the air before charging over to help on deep throws. Inconsistent with coverage responsibilities from high safety. Takes time to diagnose play-action. Rub routes found him near goal line. Can take inefficient paths to the ball that get him there a step too late. Would benefit from high-pointing rather than waiting on throws.

Sources Tell Us
"He's a freak. He's going to blow away the combine. He's fast and will post some of the best vertical and broad numbers at his position. He's going to get a lot better in the pros and he has that elite size that will get him overdrafted." -- AFC Pro Personnel Director

NFL Comparison
George Iloka

Bottom Line
Big and athletic, he may lack the coverage qualities and instincts needed to work as a "last line of defense" player in a pass-happy division. Melifonwu is an effective downhill tackler who has the ability to match up against tight ends and make a living near the line of scrimmage. His football instincts aren't up to par, but the size and traits will be extremely enticing for teams who covet traits first.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/obi-melifonwu?id=2558189

 

[Gaede]

I know it's standard here to hate on Obi, but I think he's a quality player. Not my first choice at safety, but I like the player nonetheless

 

[stilltheguru88]

I'd rather have Obi than Peppers I'll say that much.

 

[pupulehaole]

I love the couch scouts who obviously spent a lot of time watching UConn games.

The kid is a stud. He'll go top 20.

you realize how easy it is to go and watch UConn games online right? lol....

 

[jterrell]

He missed literally the first tackle in the first video of that string there. He had a great angle on that play and missed it by a mile.

I mean, CMON MAN lol

The clips dont really do him justice but get better as the game wears on.
In that game the commentators are raving about him by middle of that USF game. He had 6 solo tackles and also had two turnovers.

The guy he reminds me of is Steve Atwater the old Broncos Safety. He's a really long guy and plays long. But he'd be dead in water versus someone like Cole Beasley. --as would 90% of safeties.
But he can handle TEs. And we need that guy.

He's not an R1 guy BUT there aren't 32 R1 guys a year. I don't think he makes it to 60 but I wouldn't celebrate him at 28 either.

 

[TheFinisher]

He's got incredible range, I really don't care if he isn't a knockout hitter. His size speed and athleticism will make him invaluable as a matchup tool for today's TEs and big WRs

 

[jterrell]

He's got incredible range, I really don't care if he isn't a knockout hitter. His size speed and athleticism will make him invaluable as a matchup tool for today's TEs and big WRs

He does deliver some big hits but he winds up for them almost like a snake coiling. Seems to play in slow motion almost.
Grew up in far Northeast and just doesn't have the football background the guys from the south do.
Insane ceiling tho.

 

[AsthmaField]

The clips dont really do him justice but get better as the game wears on.
In that game the commentators are raving about him by middle of that USF game. He had 6 solo tackles and also had two turnovers.

The guy he reminds me of is Steve Atwater the old Broncos Safety. He's a really long guy and plays long. But he'd be dead in water versus someone like Cole Beasley. --as would 90% of safeties.
But he can handle TEs. And we need that guy.

He's not an R1 guy BUT there aren't 32 R1 guys a year. I don't think he makes it to 60 but I wouldn't celebrate him at 28 either.

Fair points.

I personally don't like him. His instincts are off and his reaction times lag, IMO.

I could be wrong about him but I don't like him at all. His size/speed etc are very good I admit and maybe he turns out good... I don't know.

But something about him screams stay away to me.

If Dallas takes him, I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

 

[jterrell]

Fair points.

I personally don't like him. His instincts are off and his reaction times lag, IMO.

I could be wrong about him but I don't like him at all. His size/speed etc are very good I admit and maybe he turns out good... I don't know.

But something about him screams stay away to me.

If Dallas takes him, I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

i think we actually agree.
he does have terrible instincts and plays slow.
all that said i don't know he was coached up much and im not sure i need a lot of instincts in a SS.
he is not a great walk in day 1 guy, so you are drafting him for the ceiling.

thing is do i draft a 5'9" guy that doesn't weigh 200 who is limited by design or a guy whose raw as rain right now.

 

[AsthmaField]

i think we actually agree.
he does have terrible instincts and plays slow.
all that said i don't know he was coached up much and im not sure i need a lot of instincts in a SS.
he is not a great walk in day 1 guy, so you are drafting him for the ceiling.

thing is do i draft a 5'9" guy that doesn't weigh 200 who is limited by design or a guy whose raw as rain right now.

Gotcha

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Obi has some ability and value in coverage but appears to struggle in run support by taking poor angles.

Which is something we already saw Greg Jackson turn around in Wilcox's game.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He was the 17th most efficient tackler in the nation last year. Every body misses tackles. Only 16 players in the nation missed less frequently than Obi.

Edit: In that game, Obi had 7 tackles, 1x TFL, 1x INT and 1x Fumble recovery.

People are never going to stop evaluating based on anecdotes especially first impressions, unfortunately.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I was surprised at his 40' time. He looks slow in game videos.

 

[rambo2]

i think we actually agree.
he does have terrible instincts and plays slow.
all that said i don't know he was coached up much and im not sure i need a lot of instincts in a SS.
he is not a great walk in day 1 guy, so you are drafting him for the ceiling.

thing is do i draft a 5'9" guy that doesn't weigh 200 who is limited by design or a guy whose raw as rain right now.

I'd draft Josh Jones after I took Watt at 28.

 

[Verdict]

This fits Cowboys M.O. to a tee.
Best athlete at the position.
Raw as can be but does everything but knock guys out.
Fits modern safety position quite well with ability to cover and tackle.

Yes. He does seem to fit the type of player we tend to select. But I really would rather have a ball player rather than a pure athlete.

I really hope we aren't targeting him in the first. I think he would be better value in the second but I'm not sure that's still too rich based on his pedigree. Maybe the 3rd?

 

[AsthmaField]

I'd draft Josh Jones after I took Watt at 28.

I love Jones but I don't think he's going to make it to 60.

I've been wrong before though.

 

[Brooksey]

I'd draft Josh Jones after I took Watt at 28.

I guess he struggles in zone coverage. We just let Carr and Claiborne go who are man guys...we may be looking for guys who can play a great zone in search for more turnovers.