LatinMind
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Delpit or McKinney will be pick at 17
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dallas72
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Post the highlights of his tackling lol or the National Championship Game lol
dallas72
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Correct 1 is a pro bowler other is a toilet bowler
dallas72
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Well Byron Jones played S foesnt mean he was great...Dix is a SS ..he plys closer to the line dont carecwhat he did 3years ago watch him NOW
dallas72
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No he will be on the IR ..hes a product of his team..just like Mo Claiborne was
dallas72
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Really did u watch National Championship Game lol he had a sack first series then was a GHOST...so basically he was good vs crappy teams But vs Bama & Clemson The 2 teams closest to NFL talent he sucked lol...LSU other S out played him lol
LatinMind
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3 years ago? Dude this just shows that you have no clue. He literally played FS as Chicago's single high this yr
He is a true ballhawking S. I could see Dallas signing him in Fa to play FS and moving Woods to SS playing in the box. Woods while short he's a physical hitter who is limited in coverage. Which is why Dallas played Heath more in coverage.
cnuball21
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Agreed. I think the tackling issues are a concern, but on the boards are getting blown out of as something that won’t allow him to be a great pro or that’s fixable.
I think he’s going to test great and he’s already really, really good in coverage.
eromeopolk
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McKinney can play in the box. But Delpit makes plays in and out the box. The difference is can play vs. make plays. Cowboys need play makers.
Future
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This never shows him in single high.
But it doesn't really matter, Jeff Heath does that too when they role Woods into a buzz role. Every safety plays single high at some point.
unionjack8
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Good read here...
unionjack8
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HOW EACH TOP SAFETY PROSPECT FITS THE COWBOYS
It’s only February, but Cowboys fans and media personalities are already locking in on draft prospects they hear about on podcasts, radio, television and read about in print or online. One thing that happens quite often to not only fans but organizations on the whole is tunnel vision. Fans and teams get locked in on a position or a set of players they’re hoping for come April. But that hardly every comes to fruition.
Last year, the Cowboys were desperate for help along the defensive line and safety. But Rod Marinelli loved Trysten Hill, the young man from UCF who spent his 21st birthday chillin’ with Rod instead of celebrating. Marinelli just needed to work his magic on the moldable ball of clay. And even though there were better players at safety available on the board that would go on to produce as rookies, Hill won out. Richard would be fine on the back end working with what they had.
Do do dodo. Fast-forward a year later and both safety and still defensive tackle are needs. And with expiring contracts on Byron Jones and Anthony Brown this season and Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis running out of time after 2020, cornerback is a dire need as well.
So, the point here is not to ever get so locked in on a position that you put a $20,000 suit on a college dropout and call him a professional when the man with a doctorate is standing right next to him.
But like, if you WANT to lock yourself into safety, or just want a better feel for their specific fits for the Cowboys, buckle up bucko. This discussion will feature what I believe will be the Cowboys base coverage scheme and these four safeties.
LSU’s Grant Delpit
Alabama’s Xavier McKinney
California’s Ashtyn Davis
Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr
Scheme Fit
Honestly, at this point in the process it’s tough to really get a feel for what this team wants to do schematically both with its front and in the back end with coverage. But let’s look at the backgrounds of these coaches and see if we can come up with a better idea.
Mike Nolan’s last coaching gig was with the New Orleans Saints as their linebackers’ coach. If you at the back half of the defense there you’ll notice something. In a lot of snaps they are in a two-high safety shell. From there, they run a mixture of straight man/zone looks, spot drop zone looks, and match zone looks. However, most of what I’ve noticed seemed to indicate they play a decent amount of match looks in New Orleans.
Enter defensive back’s coach Maurice Linguist. Linguist spent the last two seasons with the Texas A&M Aggies where they ran, you guessed it, a two-high shell running match principles. This will become a theme, and I’ll give a bit of an explanation soon. Before that he was with the Minnesota Golden Gophers for a season in 2017. That right there could also be important in the story.
But what may be the single most important part of this coaching puzzle is secondary coach numero dos, Al Harris. During his playing days he was known as “Dirty-one” which was an homage to his number, 31, and his aggressive style of bump-and-run coverage. When you’re known by that nickname along with things like “press God,” I fully expect that attitude to follow in your coaching career. But why is he so important to the puzzle?
Well, reading the tea leaves it looks like the Cowboys may be moving into the 21st century in terms of coverage. The days of Tampa-2, base Cover 3 looks and man/zone might be over in Dallas. The Al Harris addition is a big indicator of that for one reason.
Quarters coverage is a match zone or match man-based look from a two-high shell. It was created to bring man principles to the old school spot drop zone. What that means is, instead of being responsible for some blades of grass in a drop the player is instead responsible for the player in their zone. It requires a ton of communication, but it is an effective way to take away offensive concepts looking to take advantage of holes in traditional zones.
Getting any further into Quarters would require a word count I’m not comfortable throwing at y’all on this fine Friday. I want you to actually enjoy your weekend.
Back to Harris. Why is a former press-man corner so important to this coverage scheme? Well, because in 3x1 formations often that corner on the side to the single receiver is put on an island. He is going to be in straight man coverage on the backside with little to no help. There are ways to help this process, but this is an aggressive way to attack that half of the field defensively.
But how can you play zone on one side and man on the other? Glad you asked! Quarters is a split-field coverage. So, draw a line right down the center’s *** and you can have fun running different concepts on either side of the field.
So which of the top safeties are good fits for this coverage scheme? Well, it doesn’t matter who your personal favorite is, because all four of the safety prospects ran some match-based coverages, and Minnesota, California and Alabama based their defenses off match looks.
Three of the four possess a plus processor in terms of route recognitional and positioning in match schemes. Davis isn’t one that excels in this aspect, but his supreme speed makes up for a somewhat slower process at times. Alabama’s defense is endlessly complex to the untrained or even somewhat trained eye. In 2019, Alabama struggled defensively because young linebackers weren’t always in the correct positions. McKinney’s ability to make those linebackers right by occasionally altering his path to take where the linebacker was supposed to be is an impressive display of awareness in a split second.
Delpit’s Tigers defense ran match principles as well, but they could afford to run a lot of single and two high man because Kristian Fulton (another possible Cowboys target) and freshman sensation Derek Stingley could lock down outside receivers.
In Quarters, you don’t NEED elite corners, hypothetically. Circle back to that part about possibly losing all your corners in the next two seasons.
But Dalton, won’t two high hurt the Cowboys already dreadful ability to stop the run? No, it shouldn’t. Just because the base is two high doesn’t mean their base depth stays deep, and in all normal occasions the run fits are all accounted for. But what do you need in this instance? Safeties that do that ever-fleeting tackling thingy correctly.
Personnel Fits
Until free agency has come and gone it’ll be difficult to really know which of these players best fits the other guys on the defense. What we do know is Xavier Woods is here, Jaylon Smith is playing MIKE and selling sunglasses, Leighton Vander Esch is recovering from a scary surgery and Sean Lee is maybe coming back? Awuzie will be one of the cornerbacks, and Jourdan Lewis will hopefully get his time to shine or pull an Icarus and burst into flames.
The old regime wanted Woods to be a FS. Well, in Quarters those monikers are less important. Most likely the Cowboys will employ a boundary safety and a field safety. Davis and Winfield both played as boundary safeties in their college schemes. McKinney and Delpit both played around the defense a bit more. Hell, McKinney’s resume tape was against LSU, when he was playing WILL freaking linebacker.
From a tackling perspective, none of the three other safeties come close to Winfield Jr. If any of you in the crowd remember watching his father, they’re a carbon copy of each other simply playing different positions. His lack of height is no detriment to his tackle radius. It’ll be interesting to see his wingspan come combine time, because he is an old school wrap and drive tackler.
Davis also brings a surprising level of pop in his pads for being a leaner safety. He does a respectable job wrapping ball carriers and possesses outstanding grip strength to keep hold even when his attack leverage is a bit off. McKinney had an admittedly rough year in 2018 tackling. However, his tape in 2019 showed a lot more consistency in this area, and that should give some hope that whatever issues he had are fixed.
Delpit struggles as a tackler. He was injured in 2019, so you can give him a pass. Except you can’t, because even going back to 2018 those inconsistencies were still there. It’s almost never an effort issue (unless he’s trying to tackle Najee Harris, in which I do not blame him.) He’s more of a low wrap and slide tackler when squaring up ball carriers who are aware of his presence. He’ll wrap, but he doesn’t possess the functional strength to win strictly with initial pop, and when he leaves his feet his lack of pop and grip strength lead to runners sliding out of his grasp.
So, in terms of pairing a guy with Woods, who is an inconsistent tackler himself, the best fit with him is probably Winfield Jr. But let’s get into the rest of their games.
It’s only February, but Cowboys fans and media personalities are already locking in on draft prospects they hear about on podcasts, radio, television and read about in print or online. One thing that happens quite often to not only fans but organizations on the whole is tunnel vision. Fans and teams get locked in on a position or a set of players they’re hoping for come April. But that hardly every comes to fruition.
Last year, the Cowboys were desperate for help along the defensive line and safety. But Rod Marinelli loved Trysten Hill, the young man from UCF who spent his 21st birthday chillin’ with Rod instead of celebrating. Marinelli just needed to work his magic on the moldable ball of clay. And even though there were better players at safety available on the board that would go on to produce as rookies, Hill won out. Richard would be fine on the back end working with what they had.
Do do dodo. Fast-forward a year later and both safety and still defensive tackle are needs. And with expiring contracts on Byron Jones and Anthony Brown this season and Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis running out of time after 2020, cornerback is a dire need as well.
So, the point here is not to ever get so locked in on a position that you put a $20,000 suit on a college dropout and call him a professional when the man with a doctorate is standing right next to him.
But like, if you WANT to lock yourself into safety, or just want a better feel for their specific fits for the Cowboys, buckle up bucko. This discussion will feature what I believe will be the Cowboys base coverage scheme and these four safeties.
LSU’s Grant Delpit
Alabama’s Xavier McKinney
California’s Ashtyn Davis
Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr
Scheme Fit
Honestly, at this point in the process it’s tough to really get a feel for what this team wants to do schematically both with its front and in the back end with coverage. But let’s look at the backgrounds of these coaches and see if we can come up with a better idea.
Mike Nolan’s last coaching gig was with the New Orleans Saints as their linebackers’ coach. If you at the back half of the defense there you’ll notice something. In a lot of snaps they are in a two-high safety shell. From there, they run a mixture of straight man/zone looks, spot drop zone looks, and match zone looks. However, most of what I’ve noticed seemed to indicate they play a decent amount of match looks in New Orleans.
Enter defensive back’s coach Maurice Linguist. Linguist spent the last two seasons with the Texas A&M Aggies where they ran, you guessed it, a two-high shell running match principles. This will become a theme, and I’ll give a bit of an explanation soon. Before that he was with the Minnesota Golden Gophers for a season in 2017. That right there could also be important in the story.
But what may be the single most important part of this coaching puzzle is secondary coach numero dos, Al Harris. During his playing days he was known as “Dirty-one” which was an homage to his number, 31, and his aggressive style of bump-and-run coverage. When you’re known by that nickname along with things like “press God,” I fully expect that attitude to follow in your coaching career. But why is he so important to the puzzle?
Well, reading the tea leaves it looks like the Cowboys may be moving into the 21st century in terms of coverage. The days of Tampa-2, base Cover 3 looks and man/zone might be over in Dallas. The Al Harris addition is a big indicator of that for one reason.
Quarters coverage is a match zone or match man-based look from a two-high shell. It was created to bring man principles to the old school spot drop zone. What that means is, instead of being responsible for some blades of grass in a drop the player is instead responsible for the player in their zone. It requires a ton of communication, but it is an effective way to take away offensive concepts looking to take advantage of holes in traditional zones.
Getting any further into Quarters would require a word count I’m not comfortable throwing at y’all on this fine Friday. I want you to actually enjoy your weekend.
Back to Harris. Why is a former press-man corner so important to this coverage scheme? Well, because in 3x1 formations often that corner on the side to the single receiver is put on an island. He is going to be in straight man coverage on the backside with little to no help. There are ways to help this process, but this is an aggressive way to attack that half of the field defensively.
But how can you play zone on one side and man on the other? Glad you asked! Quarters is a split-field coverage. So, draw a line right down the center’s *** and you can have fun running different concepts on either side of the field.
So which of the top safeties are good fits for this coverage scheme? Well, it doesn’t matter who your personal favorite is, because all four of the safety prospects ran some match-based coverages, and Minnesota, California and Alabama based their defenses off match looks.
Three of the four possess a plus processor in terms of route recognitional and positioning in match schemes. Davis isn’t one that excels in this aspect, but his supreme speed makes up for a somewhat slower process at times. Alabama’s defense is endlessly complex to the untrained or even somewhat trained eye. In 2019, Alabama struggled defensively because young linebackers weren’t always in the correct positions. McKinney’s ability to make those linebackers right by occasionally altering his path to take where the linebacker was supposed to be is an impressive display of awareness in a split second.
Delpit’s Tigers defense ran match principles as well, but they could afford to run a lot of single and two high man because Kristian Fulton (another possible Cowboys target) and freshman sensation Derek Stingley could lock down outside receivers.
In Quarters, you don’t NEED elite corners, hypothetically. Circle back to that part about possibly losing all your corners in the next two seasons.
But Dalton, won’t two high hurt the Cowboys already dreadful ability to stop the run? No, it shouldn’t. Just because the base is two high doesn’t mean their base depth stays deep, and in all normal occasions the run fits are all accounted for. But what do you need in this instance? Safeties that do that ever-fleeting tackling thingy correctly.
Personnel Fits
Until free agency has come and gone it’ll be difficult to really know which of these players best fits the other guys on the defense. What we do know is Xavier Woods is here, Jaylon Smith is playing MIKE and selling sunglasses, Leighton Vander Esch is recovering from a scary surgery and Sean Lee is maybe coming back? Awuzie will be one of the cornerbacks, and Jourdan Lewis will hopefully get his time to shine or pull an Icarus and burst into flames.
The old regime wanted Woods to be a FS. Well, in Quarters those monikers are less important. Most likely the Cowboys will employ a boundary safety and a field safety. Davis and Winfield both played as boundary safeties in their college schemes. McKinney and Delpit both played around the defense a bit more. Hell, McKinney’s resume tape was against LSU, when he was playing WILL freaking linebacker.
From a tackling perspective, none of the three other safeties come close to Winfield Jr. If any of you in the crowd remember watching his father, they’re a carbon copy of each other simply playing different positions. His lack of height is no detriment to his tackle radius. It’ll be interesting to see his wingspan come combine time, because he is an old school wrap and drive tackler.
Davis also brings a surprising level of pop in his pads for being a leaner safety. He does a respectable job wrapping ball carriers and possesses outstanding grip strength to keep hold even when his attack leverage is a bit off. McKinney had an admittedly rough year in 2018 tackling. However, his tape in 2019 showed a lot more consistency in this area, and that should give some hope that whatever issues he had are fixed.
Delpit struggles as a tackler. He was injured in 2019, so you can give him a pass. Except you can’t, because even going back to 2018 those inconsistencies were still there. It’s almost never an effort issue (unless he’s trying to tackle Najee Harris, in which I do not blame him.) He’s more of a low wrap and slide tackler when squaring up ball carriers who are aware of his presence. He’ll wrap, but he doesn’t possess the functional strength to win strictly with initial pop, and when he leaves his feet his lack of pop and grip strength lead to runners sliding out of his grasp.
So, in terms of pairing a guy with Woods, who is an inconsistent tackler himself, the best fit with him is probably Winfield Jr. But let’s get into the rest of their games.
unionjack8
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Player Fits (trait by trait)
Grant Delpit, SAF4, 7.6 film grade (Round 2)
Man Coverage – For being a longer defensive back, he’s very fluid. He doesn’t allow TEs to bully him along the route stem or at the catch point. He keeps his feet calm when playing heels at 10-plus yards and transitions well throughout the entire compass. He will struggle against shiftier slot receivers but should be able to use his length as a weapon if he can press them.
Zone Coverage – Delpit trusts his athleticism/long speed and remains patient transitioning vertically in match looks so he can still drive forward when necessary, yet still keep his “cap” or deep responsibilities. He can play middle of field to sideline with ease in Cover 2 and although he doesn’t have the range to play sideline to sideline in Cover 1 (VERY few do) he can play from numbers to numbers at the college level.
Processing/Route Recognition/Range – He has the quickest trigger of the four safeties coming forward. He can blow up quick slants from RPO looks and if a QB does not hold him he will make it to the sideline in Cover 1 as the FS if you give him time.
Athleticism – His 2019 tape does not show his real athleticism. He has the vertical explosion to leap with any receiver thrown his way and has the long speed to remain over the top in zone coverage.
Ball Skills – This is an overwhelmingly important trait for the new Cowboys defense. And Delpit has both the skillset and production on his resume. He’s notches 24 passes defended and eight interceptions in his three seasons at LSU.
Physicality/Competitive Toughness – Dude absolutely gutted it out in 2019. He was banged up or flat out injured for most of the season and played through it all without a single complaint. He plays physically against TEs and receivers in coverage and makes no qualms coming forward in run support when needed. Now, he doesn’t ALWAYS fly forward, but as the deep safety that’s not necessarily his responsibility as the last line of defense. Understand that as you watch him.
Tackling/Run Defense – He tries hard! Everything looks to be there aesthetically. There are times outside the numbers where he shows inconsistent technique and will try to shoulder ball carries, and he simply doesn’t possess the pop to finish those situations. He struggles to finish as a wrap tackler, and he struggles with over pursuit of wide zone and toss concepts. Some will complain about him getting bullied in the open field by guys like Jerry Jeudy and Jaylen Waddle, resorting to trying to trip Jeudy on one tackle attempt. But remember that they are elite agility guys and Delpit was playing on a bum ankle. Sometimes, you just get beat.
Versatility – Delpit can do almost everything defensively. He’s an adequate blitzer, although he struggles at times to seal the deal, so it’s not his best role. He can play single high, base two high, any quarters look and be a TE eraser. But unless he can improve his ability in run support, it’s probably best to scheme him out of the run fit, which overall hurts some of his versatility.
SUMMARY
Delpit is a stud. The numerical grade is what it is because of his struggles against the run. As a coverage safety he outdoes the rest. However, I personally value a well-rounded safety and without possessing the bonkers range I can’t personally ignore those issues in run support. He will, and should, be the top safety on boards looking for a roaming free safety. But for the Dallas Cowboys, if they go to a Quarters base, he should not be the top target. On top of that, his fit with Woods just isn’t great. If you draft Delpit, you might want to look to double dip and take an actual strong safety late on day two or early on day 3 of the draft.
Xavier McKinney, SAF2, 7.9 film grade (High Round 2)
Man Coverage – McKinney is a HIGHLY intelligent player. Nick Saban trusted him to play in the Minkah Fitzpatrick role. When Saban praises a player, you know he’s got it. McKinney can cover TEs and is intelligent enough to stick with slot receivers at a pace his somewhat marginal athleticism should allow. I’d avoid manning him up on jitterbug slot types.
Zone Coverage – Master of the back end of the Alabama defense. Understands his keys and acts on his reads with immediacy. Outside of his lack of above average range, he has no real weakness in zone coverage. Perfect for base two high and quarters looks but shouldn’t be a FS in Cover 1.
Processing/Route Recognition – He’s always in the right place at the right time and sometimes even makes wrong guys right by taking over their assignment when they screw up and take his. He’s a stud from the mental side of the game.
Athleticism – He possesses great reactive athleticism and paired with his outstanding mental trigger he covers ground you wouldn’t think he can. He probably won’t run very well at the combine, but it’s not a huge worry based on what his role will be in the NFL. Big slot receivers and TEs won’t be a big issue for him in man coverage.
Ball Skills – He’s shown the ability to elevate and pluck passes at the high point. Against South Carolina he showed that. He has five interceptions in the past two seasons for Alabama and has returned two for touchdowns. That means he’s coming forward and jumping routes. He also has 15 passes defended in the two years as a major player in the Alabama defense.
Physicality/Competitive Toughness – He’s an outstanding competitor. He shows the desire to be involved no matter where he is on the field. Played WILL against the best OL in the country against LSU and held his own at the point of attack.
Tackling/Run Defense – McKinney brings good pop in his pads when able to square up and shows off some good grip strength on form tackles. Often has C gap responsibility and will even jump into interior gaps in run fits and hold the line. He shows good run key processing and can drive down to the line of scrimmage as a linebacker would.
Versatility – In the Minkah Fitzpatrick role, the entire thing is based off versatility. He has it all. He was, at times, their BEST PASS RUSHER. Just let that marinate...... Okay, let’s go. He can also play multiple safety roles, play as a dime backer and cover TEs from in line and split out.
SUMMARY
As you’ll see later, in a vacuum I prefer Antoine Winfield Jr. However, for the Cowboys integrating a Quarters base, there’s nobody I’d rather have than McKinney. I feel that, as a rookie, he could be integral to the transition, as he could be a leader and make up for the mistakes of others. He’s a good enough run defender where it shouldn’t be viewed as an issue at all after 2019, and he can cover in man well enough where if the Cowboys do not go to Quarters he can start at SS from Day 1.
Ashtyn Davis, SAF3, 7.8 (Mid-High Round 2)
Man Coverage – He’s fun to watch in man. He has a quick mental trigger in match man from the slot. If his man #2 goes out immediately he keys and covers #1 if he releases at all inside. Think of it like a switch in basketball. He possesses the explosiveness and hip fluidity to close in trail coverage and make a play on the ball. His interception of Justin Herbert this season was an outstanding example of this. His only struggles in man were when he was heels at 10-plus yards pre-snap and had to mirror breaking routes at that depth. But that is a tough ask for anybody.
Zone Coverage – This is where Davis needs work. His transitions when he needs to flip his hips are outstanding, so he can flip sideline to sideline and deep and really accelerate to the area with outstanding burst. However, when he’s forced to hard plant from a pedal he often gets his feet either stuck in the mud or loses his footing completely. When his feet are right, he closes on those with outstanding pace.
Processing/Route Recognition - He’s the least heady of the four safeties from a processing perspective. Too often in spot drop concepts he locks onto QB intentions and fails to look peripherally to receivers coming into his area of responsibility. Receivers on post routes have snuck behind him. He has an adequate processor in match zone looks, but he won’t often click and close fast enough on balls to make a play on them underneath.
Athleticism – he’s the best athlete of the bunch. Former track star for California who walked on to the football team. Dude can fly, and he absolutely glides through the air. But the most impressive part of his is his fluidity and ability to twitch. Sometimes track guys can be stiff, but his hips are well lubricated and other than driving directly forward possesses sweet feet.
Physicality/Competitive Toughness – Again, track guys aren’t always physical dudes. But Davis is a high motor safety who is constantly moving. He inexplicably comes off the field for whole drives at a time, which is odd, but unless otherwise stated that should be seen simply as a coach’s decision.
Tackling/Run Defense – Sometimes seems a bit wacky, because there are looks where he’ll be coming from toward middle of field and FLY toward the alley and take on a stalk block from a receiver just to have the back cut inside the tackles. But that’s simply him remaining his run fit integrity. It’s not an ideal look, but it’s fine and shouldn’t be an issue at the NFL level. He’s a better tackler than anticipated for his size, as stated earlier.
Versatility – Davis brings a little bit of everything to a defense. His overall well-roundedness allowed him to still score high on the grading scale despite his slower processor and slight issues in zone. He too can blitz, be tasked with C gap responsibility in the run fit as well as cover TEs, shiftier and bigger slots in man, play deep single or two high and probably fill up the water cooler. Out of all four, I like his potential versatility the most due to his supreme athleticism.
SUMMARY – For the Cowboys specifically I like other guys here. Although I’d feel comfortable with Davis and could play him at free, strong, field or boundary I like the high-end zone play and mental processor of the other three players. Out of the four guys, he’s probably last on my list. With that said, I still wouldn’t hesitate if I need a safety and he’s the only one available.
Antoine Winfield Jr. SAF1, 7.9 (High Round 2)
Man Coverage – His father’s influence is evident in his play. He does an excellent job crowding receivers within the contact window of five yards. He’s hyper physical and possesses the athletic ability to crowd the hell out of TEs along the route stem. Against one of the best (and biggest) tight ends in the country in Pat Freiermuth he bullied him when asked to man up on him. He’s less comfortable playing off man and more cerebral route runners can take advantage of leverage to create separation.
Zone Coverage – Does a good job reading #2 or #3 in quarters. Has the range to make it to the sideline on 9 routes along the sideline. Issues occur when zone read/RPO looks. He can get caught at the mesh point for a long time and react late to coverage. He still can keep good vertical depth to cap even when eyes remain at mesh too long and will drive hard forward on underneath routes. Should be a nasty robber with his physicality.
Processing/Route Recognition – Keeps good vertical responsibility until last vertical receiver pushes back to QB on curls looks. Has a good feel for different route concepts depending on receiver alignment and depth throughout route. Can jump routes.
Athleticism – He lacks height. His ability to elevate seems adequate. I don’t know if he’s truly a leaper, but he’s made plays on the ball in the air with frequency. There are times like with Davis where his feet can get stuck in the mud in the transition from pedal to drive. I like his range as a free safety type. There’s a play against PSU where he’s playing deep on top of KJ Hamler who runs across the entire field and he follows and breaks on the ball.
Ball Skills – Only one pass defended this season according to Sports Reference, but he did have seven interceptions. He’s a ball hawk for better and for worse. Sometimes there are situations where simply defending the pass is the right call and he attempts to jump the route and intercept it instead.
Tackling/Defense – He possesses an impressive blend of aggressiveness and patience as a tackler. He displays consistently efficient feet in the open field and is easily the best open-field tackler of the bunch. He was often asked to blitz from the safety position, yards away from the line of scrimmage, and he made a lot of plays near the line of scrimmage without playing close to it. Will occasionally slide off a tackle but his finish rate is great overall. There are times especially in the screen game where he will try to make THE play and slide past a lineman in space instead of remaining patient and forcing the ball carrier to work off him. Even when not blitzing he reads/run/pass keys well and can fly downhill and into C gap and alley run fits.
Versatility – He can play anywhere necessary. He doesn’t have elite free safety range but could play it sparingly. He should be used as a chess piece at the next level. There is a little bit of Honey Badger in his game. His lack of size doesn’t hurt his ability to cover big receivers or tight ends but covering those shiftier slots won’t be his calling card.
SUMMARY
Winfield Jr has been my pet cat since I first turned on a Minnesota game against Maryland to watch wide receiver Tyler Johnson. He intercepted a pass and then immediately on the next series flew toward the line like a missile for a tackle on the running back. I’ve been on the hype train ever since. However, he’s not the best fit for the Cowboys. He may end up being the best VALUE for them, as it’s difficult, but not impossible, to see a scenario where he goes before Delpit and McKinney. He is second to McKinney as fits go though due to the versatility, physicality and need for more of a SS type than FS. He has sustained a few injuries throughout his career, which is partially why his name wasn’t well known until just recently, so combine medical checks will be big for him.
Overall
You really cannot go wrong with any of these players. They can all ball out. Situation should dictate where each goes in April. But for the Cowboys specifically the order should look like:
1) McKinney
2) Winfield Jr
3) Delpit
4) Davis
However, this is all just one man’s opinion. But I do hope this piece shed a tiny light on what each player can do in a vacuum, and for Cowboys fans what each player can do for Dall in 2020.
Dalton MillerFebruary 7, 2020
Grant Delpit, SAF4, 7.6 film grade (Round 2)
Man Coverage – For being a longer defensive back, he’s very fluid. He doesn’t allow TEs to bully him along the route stem or at the catch point. He keeps his feet calm when playing heels at 10-plus yards and transitions well throughout the entire compass. He will struggle against shiftier slot receivers but should be able to use his length as a weapon if he can press them.
Zone Coverage – Delpit trusts his athleticism/long speed and remains patient transitioning vertically in match looks so he can still drive forward when necessary, yet still keep his “cap” or deep responsibilities. He can play middle of field to sideline with ease in Cover 2 and although he doesn’t have the range to play sideline to sideline in Cover 1 (VERY few do) he can play from numbers to numbers at the college level.
Processing/Route Recognition/Range – He has the quickest trigger of the four safeties coming forward. He can blow up quick slants from RPO looks and if a QB does not hold him he will make it to the sideline in Cover 1 as the FS if you give him time.
Athleticism – His 2019 tape does not show his real athleticism. He has the vertical explosion to leap with any receiver thrown his way and has the long speed to remain over the top in zone coverage.
Ball Skills – This is an overwhelmingly important trait for the new Cowboys defense. And Delpit has both the skillset and production on his resume. He’s notches 24 passes defended and eight interceptions in his three seasons at LSU.
Physicality/Competitive Toughness – Dude absolutely gutted it out in 2019. He was banged up or flat out injured for most of the season and played through it all without a single complaint. He plays physically against TEs and receivers in coverage and makes no qualms coming forward in run support when needed. Now, he doesn’t ALWAYS fly forward, but as the deep safety that’s not necessarily his responsibility as the last line of defense. Understand that as you watch him.
Tackling/Run Defense – He tries hard! Everything looks to be there aesthetically. There are times outside the numbers where he shows inconsistent technique and will try to shoulder ball carries, and he simply doesn’t possess the pop to finish those situations. He struggles to finish as a wrap tackler, and he struggles with over pursuit of wide zone and toss concepts. Some will complain about him getting bullied in the open field by guys like Jerry Jeudy and Jaylen Waddle, resorting to trying to trip Jeudy on one tackle attempt. But remember that they are elite agility guys and Delpit was playing on a bum ankle. Sometimes, you just get beat.
Versatility – Delpit can do almost everything defensively. He’s an adequate blitzer, although he struggles at times to seal the deal, so it’s not his best role. He can play single high, base two high, any quarters look and be a TE eraser. But unless he can improve his ability in run support, it’s probably best to scheme him out of the run fit, which overall hurts some of his versatility.
SUMMARY
Delpit is a stud. The numerical grade is what it is because of his struggles against the run. As a coverage safety he outdoes the rest. However, I personally value a well-rounded safety and without possessing the bonkers range I can’t personally ignore those issues in run support. He will, and should, be the top safety on boards looking for a roaming free safety. But for the Dallas Cowboys, if they go to a Quarters base, he should not be the top target. On top of that, his fit with Woods just isn’t great. If you draft Delpit, you might want to look to double dip and take an actual strong safety late on day two or early on day 3 of the draft.
Xavier McKinney, SAF2, 7.9 film grade (High Round 2)
Man Coverage – McKinney is a HIGHLY intelligent player. Nick Saban trusted him to play in the Minkah Fitzpatrick role. When Saban praises a player, you know he’s got it. McKinney can cover TEs and is intelligent enough to stick with slot receivers at a pace his somewhat marginal athleticism should allow. I’d avoid manning him up on jitterbug slot types.
Zone Coverage – Master of the back end of the Alabama defense. Understands his keys and acts on his reads with immediacy. Outside of his lack of above average range, he has no real weakness in zone coverage. Perfect for base two high and quarters looks but shouldn’t be a FS in Cover 1.
Processing/Route Recognition – He’s always in the right place at the right time and sometimes even makes wrong guys right by taking over their assignment when they screw up and take his. He’s a stud from the mental side of the game.
Athleticism – He possesses great reactive athleticism and paired with his outstanding mental trigger he covers ground you wouldn’t think he can. He probably won’t run very well at the combine, but it’s not a huge worry based on what his role will be in the NFL. Big slot receivers and TEs won’t be a big issue for him in man coverage.
Ball Skills – He’s shown the ability to elevate and pluck passes at the high point. Against South Carolina he showed that. He has five interceptions in the past two seasons for Alabama and has returned two for touchdowns. That means he’s coming forward and jumping routes. He also has 15 passes defended in the two years as a major player in the Alabama defense.
Physicality/Competitive Toughness – He’s an outstanding competitor. He shows the desire to be involved no matter where he is on the field. Played WILL against the best OL in the country against LSU and held his own at the point of attack.
Tackling/Run Defense – McKinney brings good pop in his pads when able to square up and shows off some good grip strength on form tackles. Often has C gap responsibility and will even jump into interior gaps in run fits and hold the line. He shows good run key processing and can drive down to the line of scrimmage as a linebacker would.
Versatility – In the Minkah Fitzpatrick role, the entire thing is based off versatility. He has it all. He was, at times, their BEST PASS RUSHER. Just let that marinate...... Okay, let’s go. He can also play multiple safety roles, play as a dime backer and cover TEs from in line and split out.
SUMMARY
As you’ll see later, in a vacuum I prefer Antoine Winfield Jr. However, for the Cowboys integrating a Quarters base, there’s nobody I’d rather have than McKinney. I feel that, as a rookie, he could be integral to the transition, as he could be a leader and make up for the mistakes of others. He’s a good enough run defender where it shouldn’t be viewed as an issue at all after 2019, and he can cover in man well enough where if the Cowboys do not go to Quarters he can start at SS from Day 1.
Ashtyn Davis, SAF3, 7.8 (Mid-High Round 2)
Man Coverage – He’s fun to watch in man. He has a quick mental trigger in match man from the slot. If his man #2 goes out immediately he keys and covers #1 if he releases at all inside. Think of it like a switch in basketball. He possesses the explosiveness and hip fluidity to close in trail coverage and make a play on the ball. His interception of Justin Herbert this season was an outstanding example of this. His only struggles in man were when he was heels at 10-plus yards pre-snap and had to mirror breaking routes at that depth. But that is a tough ask for anybody.
Zone Coverage – This is where Davis needs work. His transitions when he needs to flip his hips are outstanding, so he can flip sideline to sideline and deep and really accelerate to the area with outstanding burst. However, when he’s forced to hard plant from a pedal he often gets his feet either stuck in the mud or loses his footing completely. When his feet are right, he closes on those with outstanding pace.
Processing/Route Recognition - He’s the least heady of the four safeties from a processing perspective. Too often in spot drop concepts he locks onto QB intentions and fails to look peripherally to receivers coming into his area of responsibility. Receivers on post routes have snuck behind him. He has an adequate processor in match zone looks, but he won’t often click and close fast enough on balls to make a play on them underneath.
Athleticism – he’s the best athlete of the bunch. Former track star for California who walked on to the football team. Dude can fly, and he absolutely glides through the air. But the most impressive part of his is his fluidity and ability to twitch. Sometimes track guys can be stiff, but his hips are well lubricated and other than driving directly forward possesses sweet feet.
Physicality/Competitive Toughness – Again, track guys aren’t always physical dudes. But Davis is a high motor safety who is constantly moving. He inexplicably comes off the field for whole drives at a time, which is odd, but unless otherwise stated that should be seen simply as a coach’s decision.
Tackling/Run Defense – Sometimes seems a bit wacky, because there are looks where he’ll be coming from toward middle of field and FLY toward the alley and take on a stalk block from a receiver just to have the back cut inside the tackles. But that’s simply him remaining his run fit integrity. It’s not an ideal look, but it’s fine and shouldn’t be an issue at the NFL level. He’s a better tackler than anticipated for his size, as stated earlier.
Versatility – Davis brings a little bit of everything to a defense. His overall well-roundedness allowed him to still score high on the grading scale despite his slower processor and slight issues in zone. He too can blitz, be tasked with C gap responsibility in the run fit as well as cover TEs, shiftier and bigger slots in man, play deep single or two high and probably fill up the water cooler. Out of all four, I like his potential versatility the most due to his supreme athleticism.
SUMMARY – For the Cowboys specifically I like other guys here. Although I’d feel comfortable with Davis and could play him at free, strong, field or boundary I like the high-end zone play and mental processor of the other three players. Out of the four guys, he’s probably last on my list. With that said, I still wouldn’t hesitate if I need a safety and he’s the only one available.
Antoine Winfield Jr. SAF1, 7.9 (High Round 2)
Man Coverage – His father’s influence is evident in his play. He does an excellent job crowding receivers within the contact window of five yards. He’s hyper physical and possesses the athletic ability to crowd the hell out of TEs along the route stem. Against one of the best (and biggest) tight ends in the country in Pat Freiermuth he bullied him when asked to man up on him. He’s less comfortable playing off man and more cerebral route runners can take advantage of leverage to create separation.
Zone Coverage – Does a good job reading #2 or #3 in quarters. Has the range to make it to the sideline on 9 routes along the sideline. Issues occur when zone read/RPO looks. He can get caught at the mesh point for a long time and react late to coverage. He still can keep good vertical depth to cap even when eyes remain at mesh too long and will drive hard forward on underneath routes. Should be a nasty robber with his physicality.
Processing/Route Recognition – Keeps good vertical responsibility until last vertical receiver pushes back to QB on curls looks. Has a good feel for different route concepts depending on receiver alignment and depth throughout route. Can jump routes.
Athleticism – He lacks height. His ability to elevate seems adequate. I don’t know if he’s truly a leaper, but he’s made plays on the ball in the air with frequency. There are times like with Davis where his feet can get stuck in the mud in the transition from pedal to drive. I like his range as a free safety type. There’s a play against PSU where he’s playing deep on top of KJ Hamler who runs across the entire field and he follows and breaks on the ball.
Ball Skills – Only one pass defended this season according to Sports Reference, but he did have seven interceptions. He’s a ball hawk for better and for worse. Sometimes there are situations where simply defending the pass is the right call and he attempts to jump the route and intercept it instead.
Tackling/Defense – He possesses an impressive blend of aggressiveness and patience as a tackler. He displays consistently efficient feet in the open field and is easily the best open-field tackler of the bunch. He was often asked to blitz from the safety position, yards away from the line of scrimmage, and he made a lot of plays near the line of scrimmage without playing close to it. Will occasionally slide off a tackle but his finish rate is great overall. There are times especially in the screen game where he will try to make THE play and slide past a lineman in space instead of remaining patient and forcing the ball carrier to work off him. Even when not blitzing he reads/run/pass keys well and can fly downhill and into C gap and alley run fits.
Versatility – He can play anywhere necessary. He doesn’t have elite free safety range but could play it sparingly. He should be used as a chess piece at the next level. There is a little bit of Honey Badger in his game. His lack of size doesn’t hurt his ability to cover big receivers or tight ends but covering those shiftier slots won’t be his calling card.
SUMMARY
Winfield Jr has been my pet cat since I first turned on a Minnesota game against Maryland to watch wide receiver Tyler Johnson. He intercepted a pass and then immediately on the next series flew toward the line like a missile for a tackle on the running back. I’ve been on the hype train ever since. However, he’s not the best fit for the Cowboys. He may end up being the best VALUE for them, as it’s difficult, but not impossible, to see a scenario where he goes before Delpit and McKinney. He is second to McKinney as fits go though due to the versatility, physicality and need for more of a SS type than FS. He has sustained a few injuries throughout his career, which is partially why his name wasn’t well known until just recently, so combine medical checks will be big for him.
Overall
You really cannot go wrong with any of these players. They can all ball out. Situation should dictate where each goes in April. But for the Cowboys specifically the order should look like:
1) McKinney
2) Winfield Jr
3) Delpit
4) Davis
However, this is all just one man’s opinion. But I do hope this piece shed a tiny light on what each player can do in a vacuum, and for Cowboys fans what each player can do for Dall in 2020.
Dalton MillerFebruary 7, 2020
beware_d-ware
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I agree with Miller's Xavier McKinney review 200%. "Mental stud" is the best way I've heard it put.
Really need to watch Winfield Jr. now.
Really need to watch Winfield Jr. now.
marchetta
Well-Known Member
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Xavier McKinney S Alabama
STRENGTHS
Xavier has the size, speed and instincts and high football IQ that every team needs when looking for a player to lead their defensive backs on the field. He might be the best tackler out of all the defensive players in this draft class and that’s why he is a playmaker. He can cover as well as most big corners because of his excellent feet and the fact that he knows how to read routes. His play anticipation is right up there with the best defensive backs playing at the NFL level now. Xavier, is always, around the ball and causing fumbles or bad passes or just causing havoc when blitzing off the edge or from the middle of a defensive scheme. He can play multiple positions in any style of defense, in your defensive backfield or up close to the line of scrimmage. Xavier is an impact tackler and a form tackler causing fumbles and intimidation without penalties.
CONCERNS
You will have a lot of trouble replacing his impact for your defense if he gets hurt but that’s no reason to not draft him.
BOTTOM LINE 1.41
If your team needs a player with the same talents and ability to impact your defense, then look no further, this kid is a clone of the Jets Jamal Adams. Remember what I always say, don’t try to nitpick yourself out of selecting the obvious. Xavier is a playmaker who can tackle and cover and has the instinct and high football IQ to run your defense for you on the field. Add to that his talent to make impact tackles without getting penalized and you have an obvious impact, playmaking defensive player. Turn on the film and see it for yourself. I don’t think I’m telling you anything that isn’t obvious, in the film. Is there an emoji for “drop the mic”?
- Drew Boylhart (Thehuddlereport.com)
STRENGTHS
Xavier has the size, speed and instincts and high football IQ that every team needs when looking for a player to lead their defensive backs on the field. He might be the best tackler out of all the defensive players in this draft class and that’s why he is a playmaker. He can cover as well as most big corners because of his excellent feet and the fact that he knows how to read routes. His play anticipation is right up there with the best defensive backs playing at the NFL level now. Xavier, is always, around the ball and causing fumbles or bad passes or just causing havoc when blitzing off the edge or from the middle of a defensive scheme. He can play multiple positions in any style of defense, in your defensive backfield or up close to the line of scrimmage. Xavier is an impact tackler and a form tackler causing fumbles and intimidation without penalties.
CONCERNS
You will have a lot of trouble replacing his impact for your defense if he gets hurt but that’s no reason to not draft him.
BOTTOM LINE 1.41
If your team needs a player with the same talents and ability to impact your defense, then look no further, this kid is a clone of the Jets Jamal Adams. Remember what I always say, don’t try to nitpick yourself out of selecting the obvious. Xavier is a playmaker who can tackle and cover and has the instinct and high football IQ to run your defense for you on the field. Add to that his talent to make impact tackles without getting penalized and you have an obvious impact, playmaking defensive player. Turn on the film and see it for yourself. I don’t think I’m telling you anything that isn’t obvious, in the film. Is there an emoji for “drop the mic”?
- Drew Boylhart (Thehuddlereport.com)
marchetta
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Grant Delpit S LSU
STRENGTHS
Grant has the size, strength and just enough cover skills to be used as a safety or to cover those big tall slots Receivers and Tight Ends. Grant shows the leadership skills that most teams look for in the safety position. He is smart and like a coach on the field and that alone makes Grant a very valuable player to select. He’s a strong tackler but not a head hunter. Grant has just enough speed and along with the instincts, anticipation skills and high football IQ to be used as a single safety going up against those sneaky quarterbacks who try to move safeties with their eyes. Grant will be an impact defensive player for the team that selects him because of his ability to be a coach on the field and lead his teammates.
CONCERNS
The question is, does Grant have the talent level to play cornerback or safety and the answer is, in the RedZone he can play any position in the defensive backfield but in the middle of the the field he lacks the makeup speed to recover when a man gets behind him if left in single coverage on an island.
BOTTOM LINE 1.61
Grant is a safety who can play in the slot and blitz or cover big receivers. If you think you are selecting anything other than that then you have some very poor scouts and I know most teams don’t have poor scouts, just administrations that override the scouts. Like I stated before, Grant can cover in the red zone because of his size, strength and football intelligence but don’t try to put him on the outside to cover pure wide receivers because he will get beat. Grant can also be used in the front seven on obvious passing downs because he has enough bulk and is a good tackler to help out Linebackers. He’s a football player and a multi-position player depending on down and distance and field position because of his football intelligence, athletic talent and sure tackling skills. I’m not sure what else teams would be looking for in a pure safety.
- Drew Boylhart (Thehuddlereport.com)
STRENGTHS
Grant has the size, strength and just enough cover skills to be used as a safety or to cover those big tall slots Receivers and Tight Ends. Grant shows the leadership skills that most teams look for in the safety position. He is smart and like a coach on the field and that alone makes Grant a very valuable player to select. He’s a strong tackler but not a head hunter. Grant has just enough speed and along with the instincts, anticipation skills and high football IQ to be used as a single safety going up against those sneaky quarterbacks who try to move safeties with their eyes. Grant will be an impact defensive player for the team that selects him because of his ability to be a coach on the field and lead his teammates.
CONCERNS
The question is, does Grant have the talent level to play cornerback or safety and the answer is, in the RedZone he can play any position in the defensive backfield but in the middle of the the field he lacks the makeup speed to recover when a man gets behind him if left in single coverage on an island.
BOTTOM LINE 1.61
Grant is a safety who can play in the slot and blitz or cover big receivers. If you think you are selecting anything other than that then you have some very poor scouts and I know most teams don’t have poor scouts, just administrations that override the scouts. Like I stated before, Grant can cover in the red zone because of his size, strength and football intelligence but don’t try to put him on the outside to cover pure wide receivers because he will get beat. Grant can also be used in the front seven on obvious passing downs because he has enough bulk and is a good tackler to help out Linebackers. He’s a football player and a multi-position player depending on down and distance and field position because of his football intelligence, athletic talent and sure tackling skills. I’m not sure what else teams would be looking for in a pure safety.
- Drew Boylhart (Thehuddlereport.com)
CATCH17
1st Round Pick
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Theyre both at the end of my list.
I want a difference maker with my first pick..
Give me Delpit > McKinney because at least Delpit has a chance to not be your everyday NFL Safety.
Give me a DL, WR, or Corner over these safeties.
stilltheguru
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Anybody but these two imo.