News: ESPN: Byron Jones highlights Dallas Cowboys 2015 draft class

[NewsBot]

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys had eight selections in the 2015 draft. Here's a closer look at how their picks have contributed:

Starters: Byron Jones (4 starts), La'el Collins (5), Geoff Swaim (1)

On the cusp: On the week the Cowboys inducted Darren Woodson into the Ring of Honor, they put Jones in the starting lineup at safety and had him play the nickel spot, the same roles Woodson filled so well in his career. Jones was a cornerback when he was drafted, but the Cowboys kept open the option of him playing safety. He has done a good job covering tight ends, like Rob Gronkowski, and is a willing tackler. He has shown nice range, and coordinator Rod Marinelli said he can't remember a rookie defensive back making such a favorable impression. The Cowboys never really replaced Woodson, whose last year was 2003, but Jones is the closest to a long-term answer.

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[CCBoy]

Byron Jones highlights Dallas Cowboys' 2015 draft class

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowb...es-highlights-dallas-cowboys-2015-draft-class


...Starters: Byron Jones (4 starts), La'el Collins (5), Geoff Swaim (1)

On the cusp: On the week the Cowboys inducted Darren Woodson into the Ring of Honor, they put Jones in the starting lineup at safety and had him play the nickel spot, the same roles Woodson filled so well in his career. Jones was a cornerback when he was drafted, but the Cowboys kept open the option of him playing safety. He has done a good job covering tight ends, like Rob Gronkowski, and is a willing tackler. He has shown nice range, and coordinator Rod Marinelli said he can't remember a rookie defensive back making such a favorable impression. The Cowboys never really replaced Woodson, whose last year was 2003, but Jones is the closest to a long-term answer.

Undrafted free agents they like: It's difficult to call Collins an undrafted free agent considering his status leading into the draft, but he has started the last four games at left guard and helped solidify the running game. He still has a lot to learn but has the physical abilities to dominate. Lucky Whitehead had a key kickoff return against the Philadelphia Eagles and has been used more offensively as the weeks have gone on. David Irving signed as an undrafted free agent with Kansas City but the Cowboys poached him from the Chiefs' practice squad. He has the look of a solid rotational player and spot starter if he develops.

My take on class: It's easy to like everything about Jones, and while Collins might not be a draft pick, he figures to be a long-term solution, too. Gregory's ankle injury really hurt his development, and he will be the key to this class' long-term success. If he can be a difference-making pass-rusher, then the Cowboys hit on three first-round talents. The class has not been able to contribute much because of injury (Green, Nzeocha) or opportunity (Swaim, Wilson). But to grade the first nine games, it's a C, with the chance to improve greatly.

Mel Kiper's take on class: They have to be thrilled with Jones, who was one of the more versatile defenders in the draft and lived up to that billing in Dallas. He'll make some mistakes, but he's been solid. Collins wasn't technically drafted because of off-field questions, but he's a first-round talent they courted, and so far, so good. The big question is can Gregory become a player, or was he way too rich a risk in Round 2? We might find out this season. Remember, he wasn't just trying to change his life off the field; he also needed a lot of physical growth to hold up.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Jones is a breath of fresh air...

 

[viman96]

Jones has been great. Looking forward to watch him grow into a long time starter.

 

[RS12]

Needle pointing up on him and Collins for sure

 

[tyke1doe]

Swaim is a starter?

 

[DandyDon1722]

Jones is a Belichek type player - talented, versatile and smart!

Wen need a bunch more like him.

 

[TonyRomo17]

Jones is a Belichek type player - talented, versatile and smart!

Wen need a bunch more like him.

And hes an athletic freak, cant believe he was there at the 27th spot

 

[mahoneybill]

Jones is a breath of fresh air...

He's showing how inept the rest of our DB's are. Great range, anticipation, goes for the ball. Rarely out of position... Sure tackler

 

[WoodysGirl]

He's showing how inept the rest of our DB's are. Great range, anticipation, goes for the ball. Rarely out of position... Sure tackler

Well, I like to think that he's showing why he was a 1st round pick. Makes the FO look good, eh?

 

[mahoneybill]

Well, I like to think that he's showing why he was a 1st round pick. Makes the FO look good, eh?

Agree. They picked a great one in him, and Collins... Shame we are in the QB situation we are, or we would be in much better position, and control of the NFC East...

 

[sideon]

He's showing how inept the rest of our DB's are. Great range, anticipation, goes for the ball. Rarely out of position... Sure tackler

The way he drove on the pass that was going to Evans is something we haven't seen in a long time.

 

[cowboyuptx]

Alright Byron Jones, now you've started to get noticed by the media, that's your cue to start sucking...

 

[reddyuta]

1st rd CBs are doing very well this year.

 

[The Natural]

1st rd CBs are doing very well this year.

Yea, I was pretty impressed with the kid Johnson from Wake Forest last night. I can't recall his draft position

 

[FLCowboyFan]

Jones is going to be a fixture for this team for a long time. I'm very happy we drafted him. Everything about him seems to say winner!

 

[DeaconMoss]

Collins was a gift. Have to do better than 1 pick a year to be great. Have to hit on 3-4 every year.

 

[reddyuta]

Yea, I was pretty impressed with the kid Johnson from Wake Forest last night. I can't recall his draft position

ahead of us.THE KC CB might be the best of the bunch,he is a ball hawk.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Of three iI thoughtGregory was going to stand out the most, mostly of his position but his injury has hurt his growth. Collins, even with do some slips here and there has impressed me with some of the brute force moves he has put on established pros... At times he has looked like a pro playing against high school players with his brute strength and the great thing is that he has room to get stronger as time to improve his techniques

Jones has probably been the most steady and that itself is shocking because they have moved him around so much where the other two have stayed at one position for the most part... The did have Collins play a little RT in camp practices.

Jones has been thrown out the in multiple positions against a number of good players and has made plays and done well. Now sure he has been beat but he is generally in good coverage and the other players just make great plays. I have seen other players look lost and out of position but iIdon't think I recall him completely lost or out of position but iI could bewrong and just forgetting... If so it is pretty rare thing since he is a rookie playing different position instead of sticking at one.

So far it looks like Jones and Collins are going to be good to great players for us but it is still early. If Gregory can get healthy and flash like he did prior to his injury, that will be an even bigger bonus.

 

[bayeslife]

Collins was a gift. Have to do better than 1 pick a year to be great. Have to hit on 3-4 every year.

This is so unrealistic if you actually look at the numbers.