Greg Cosell calls the pick

[9darter]

18. Dallas Cowboys: Do the Cowboys have a healthy starting caliber safety on their roster? Here’s where extreme need intersects with talent, and an outstanding prospect: Safety Kenny Vaccaro of Texas.

Vaccaro is 6-foot-0, 215 pounds. That’s very good size for the position. He’s a smooth athlete with excellent movement skills. Not only did he display the ability to play man-to-man versus wide receivers, he also was utilized as a deep safety, both in single high coverage and two deep shells. In those situations, he was both fluid and active in coverage, and aggressive playing downhill in the run game. He always pressed to the ball, and demonstrated sideline-to-sideline range with outstanding play speed and a reckless attitude. He showed explosion as a tackler with natural pop. Overall, I saw Vaccaro as a multi-dimensional safety with an expansive skill set and no physical shortcomings that would limit new DC Monte Kiffin.

Click here for picks 1-16 and here for picks 17-32 in Cosell's mock draft.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I like Vaccaro but only as my fifth option after Cooper, Warmack, Richardson, or Williams.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I like Vaccaro but only as my fifth option after Cooper, Warmack, Richardson, or Williams.

Cosell's mock has everyone but Sly Williams off the board when Dallas picks, but the odd thing about his mock is that it presents Dallas with the opportunity to draft Ziggy Ansah.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Cosell's mock has everyone but Sly Williams off the board when Dallas picks, but the odd thing about his mock is that it presents Dallas with the opportunity to draft Ziggy Ansah.

Missed that -- I'd take him!

 

[DFWJC]

I can't recall a draft with more potential starters at the safety position.
Not superstars, but just a ton of good players.

This is a position that I feel real sure you can find a really good player in rounds 2-5.
I'm not totally against Vaccaro, but this is a real legit reason to not take him in round 1 IF there is a oline or dline player similarly ranked that's available.

Or trade down.
I won't complain if Dallas takes him, but that would not be my strategy.

 

[diehard2294]

Tim Ryan on sirius told me yesterday he is a stud and he will light you up! I said I prefer a safety who covers well and creates turnovers, and he doesnt create turnovers. He said they will come under Kiffins defense and if he's there when we pick and the guards are gone we better not pass on this kid!

 

[xwalker]

I can't recall a draft with more potential starters at the safety position.
Not superstars, but just a ton of good players.

This is a position that I feel real sure you can find a really good player in rounds 2-5.
I'm not totally against Vaccaro, but this is a real legit reason to not take him in round 1 IF there is a oline or dline player similarly ranked that's available.

Or trade down.
I won't complain if Dallas takes him, but that would not be my strategy.

Swearinger is very similar to Vaccaro in coverage, IMO. He often covers the slot and has played CB.

Swearinger's only issue is that he will have to tone down the big hits and over-celebrating.

 

[TheSport78]

Vaccaro won't even be on the board at #18.

 

[DFWJC]

Swearinger is very similar to Vaccaro in coverage, IMO. He often covers the slot and has played CB.

Swearinger's only issue is that he will have to tone down the big hits and over-celebrating.

Great example.
There's a real chance that he can be had a full round later...maybe more.