NBC: NFC UDFA Rankings

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2. Dallas Cowboys

Last year, Dallas finished No. 1 in these rankings. In 2019, the Cowboys finished No. 9. Over those two years, per Over the Cap, the Cowboys spent nearly a half-million dollars more in UDFA guaranteed money than any other franchise in the NFL. That's one way to guarantee yourself a top-10 UDFA class ranking every year.

The Cowboys were back at it this year. Iowa WR Brandon Smith was one of their primary targets. Smith, a primo athlete who was inconsistent on the field at Iowa, got top-10 reported guaranteed money in the UDFA class.

The Cowboys also grabbed three defenders I had draftable grades on. Oregon’s Austin Faoliu seemed to suffer from the NFL panning the overall interior class, with seemingly every prospect going well below projection, from projected first-rounder Christian Barmore falling to the second to projected second-rounder Jay Tuefele falling to the fourth to projected mid-rounder Marvin Wilson falling out of the draft completely.

The Cowboys gave LB Anthony Hines $55,000 guaranteed, a smart low-cost move on an athletic linebacker the NFL had limited exposure on. Hines broke out in his first year as starter in 2019, but opted out of the 2020 season in late-September, declaring for the draft in November.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys signed S Tyler Coyle with the idea of making him a LB/S hybrid player in Dan Quinn’s defense. If anybody knows how to make use of prospects like this, it’s the architect of the “Legion of Boom" defense. Coyle transferred from UConn to Purdue prior to last season to reunite with former coach Bob Diaco, who’d latched on as Boilermakers’ DC.

We didn’t see much of Coyle last year, but we know Quinn is going to try to polish off the work Diaco started in trying to mold a hybrid player out of Coyle's size, length and athleticism.

The Cowboys ended up tying for No. 3 in the league last year when three of their No. 1 UDFA class cracked the Week 1 roster. I believe this class will match that total.


6. Philadelphia Eagles
12. Washington Football Team
15. New York Giants


https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/nfc-udfa-class-rankings



 
Has there been any media comment on any Cowboy UDFA's performance in rookie camp? It would be perfect if Coyle just blew them away with his action on the field.....but I haven't heard much about how they are doing so far, I have just seen biographical information.
 
Has there been any media comment on any Cowboy UDFA's performance in rookie camp? It would be perfect if Coyle just blew them away with his action on the field.....but I haven't heard much about how they are doing so far, I have just seen biographical information.

Darren Woodson mentioned him standing out some at the rookie minicamp. I could see him making the team since we're not that deep at safety. The road for Faoliu is tougher, I think, because of our additions there in free agency and the draft. Hines could end up as the sixth linebacker.

I think another player who has a good shot, depending on if McCarthy wants to use the position, is fullback Nick Ralston. He's got good all-around skills for the position. The two other backs, JaQuan Hardy and Brendan Knox, also have a chance to bump Rico Dowdle off the roster since his seat isn't exactly secure. And I believe the player we gave the second-highest bonus to was Iowa WR Brandpn Smith. Outside of our top three, there could be up to three WR spots up for grabs, although our draft pick, Fehoko, probably gets one unless he sucks it up.
 
It's funny how some players go undrafted but wind up being excellent NFL players. Can't put the blame on Mel Kuiper when everyone misses some of the time.
 
I'd like to know more about Hines.

Says he played well in his first opportunity to start in 2019, so it stands to reason he would have gotten himself drafted if he didn't opt out in 2020.

He will need to be a ST standout to see the field at all....could be an upgrade over Bernard.
 
Dallas has done really well with UDFA but it's not always the bigger name. bigger bonus guys.
The Dallas area produces a ton of talent and they've done well with local kids who were undrafted like Cole Beasley.

Anthony Hines is a local kid (Plano East) who has a real shot because he should be a plus special teamer day 1 and has player ties to the team with Donovan Wilson. He was a Parade All-American out of HS.
 
That is good news. We will see. Typically it is a guy who may not get a lot of the UDFA pub that shines. It will be interesting to see how many draft picks make the team.
 
I'd like to know more about Hines.

Says he played well in his first opportunity to start in 2019, so it stands to reason he would have gotten himself drafted if he didn't opt out in 2020.

He will need to be a ST standout to see the field at all....could be an upgrade over Bernard.
He jumps out at me. Was a very high 4 star recruit in HS.
A tad undersized for SEC football thus the development period but plus/plus athlete.
Should be a special teams Ace.

Was arguably the top OLB in the country coming out.
But a few P5 recruiters did question his physicality.

 
Why did Coyle not play a lot with Purdue? It looks like they only played four games, but he only started 1.

I like the gamble on Hines. Even if I don't know him. One year of good production. A former top recruit and a guy who sat out last year. Nice gamble as an undrafted guy.
 
Hines intrigues me but Vasher excites me...he has serious talent if he can do the needful day to day work
GhzU7wh.jpg

Make me your pet cat... meow
 
The Cowboys continue to excel in April, May, and in Forbes. At some point it has to translate to something from September to February, or it means nothing.
Exactly.

Good players join Jerry's circus and disappear all the time.
 
You will know who won the UDFA prize when you see how many are contributing to the team in year 3 and how many get a second contract
 
Why did Coyle not play a lot with Purdue? It looks like they only played four games, but he only started 1.

I like the gamble on Hines. Even if I don't know him. One year of good production. A former top recruit and a guy who sat out last year. Nice gamble as an undrafted guy.
They could not figure out how to use him.
 
Hines intrigues me but Vasher excites me...he has serious talent if he can do the needful day to day work
I followed Vasher at Tech and he is an elite Red Zone threat.
Could be a very good possession WR type.
Likely needs a year on practice squad to get stronger and hone those blocking skills to fill a blocking and Red Zone role..
Might be an interesting guy to grow into a h-back/TE.
 
We'll see how all this works out in 15 months when were going into the 2022 season but I really like some of the talent the Cowboys have added. It's hard to expect much contribution from them this year even if they crack the final roster.
*Ya know? It's exactly posts of this rationale that instantly elevate my angst,anxiety & dumbfounded rueage levels 0ver floating #73&#38 on downstreamo_O
 

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