3 NFL Draft Prospects Cowboys Fans Should Watch in CFB Week 3
The Dallas Cowboys may be reeling from their opening week 28-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but preparation for the NFL draft doesn't stop despite the teams on the field successes or failures. The draft is the best opportunity to improve the franchise's future.
Playoff teams are made and lost on draft day. If a team drafts well, it is creating a more talented team without the cost of high salaries. That is what's wrong with free agency, you can get great players, but you will likely pay a high price for bringing them on board and it will make it harder to acquire more players to round out your roster.
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The draft is much different. If a team hits on a quarterback, for example, they are getting an excellent player at a premium position for a greatly discounted price for at least four years. Look at the Seahawks and Russell Wilson for a successful example of this approach.
Now let's take a look at how the three players we spotlighted last week did and also take a look forward at three other players to keep an eye on this week.
How the Spotlighted Players from Last Week Performed
Last week we focused on USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams, Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson and Missouri defensive end Shane Ray. All three players showed why NFL personnel evaluators will be drooling about them come draft time.
Shaq Thompson
Thompson's biggest play came when he lined up at a position that he will not be playing once he gets to the NFL. He lined up at running back and he took one of his three carries for an incredible 57-yard touchdown run.
While Thompson won't be seeing anytime at running back on Sundays, the play showed the type of explosiveness and athleticism that make him an intriguing prospect.
When he was on defense for the Huskies, he filled up the stat sheet. Thompson, who lined up at outside linebacker, recorded 18 total tackles, including a sack, per Sports-Reference.com.
Thompson is a player who looks to be a perfect candidate for the "Will" linebacker position for the Cowboys. His coverage ability and athleticism will likely be on Dallas' radar for much of the same reason they reportedly wanted former Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier.
Leonard Williams
USC's Leonard Williams came into the game against Stanford with an ankle injury and it showed. Williams didn't have his normal explosiveness or quickness. Nevertheless, the ankle injury did not stop him from being productive throughout the game.
Williams recorded 11 total tackles and a sack per ESPN Stats. The sack could not come at a more crucial time. Stanford was driving to win the game and USC needed a big play to stop Stanford's momentum, Williams answered the call.
On this play, you see Williams do a fantastic job of getting the initial push on the right guard. He also does a great job of spinning off the guard to get in position to make the sack.
The fact that Williams can make plays like that while being hampered by an ankle sprain shows why he will be in the conversation as a top-five pick when the draft comes around.
Shane Ray
Another week goes by and Shane Ray once again showed why he might be the perfect candidate for the Cowboys weak-side defensive end position.
Ray recorded two sacks against Toledo per Sports-Reference.com, while constantly bringing pressure off the edge for the Missouri Tigers. He showed the burst and acceleration to make him a potentially dynamic pass-rusher in the NFL.
Don't be surprised if you hear the Cowboys and Ray linked together throughout the 2015 draft process.
This Weeks Players to Watch
As with every week, we will now take a look at three players who are draft eligible and appear to fit the Cowboys' scheme and philosophy.
This week we will look at a dynamic running back, an athletic defensive end and a playmaking cornerback.
Ameer Abdullah
DeMarco Murray is in the final year of his contract, and there is no guarantee the Cowboys will bring him back. The Cowboys have been burned when they hand out big money to a running back (see Marion Barber), which will likely make them hesitant to re-sign Murray to any significant amount of money.
This is why Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah may be a potential mid-round target for the Cowboys come draft time.
Abdullah is a small running back, checking in at just 5'9" and 195 pounds. But he more than makes up for physical stature with the power, speed and patience necessary to be a fantastic running back in the NFL.
Football Outsiders' Matt Waldman believes Abdullah compares well with one notable running back in one aspect:
"The reason Abdullah bucks the odds and wins this mismatch with the defender stems from his willingness to attack first. Many runners of Abdullah's size see a lineman and try to avoid contact, but Abdullah leads with his pads and digs in. Jamaal Charles does the same thing in these situations and it's a reason why he's a successful interior runner despite his small stature for a feature back.
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So far this season, Abdullah has accumulated 286 yards on a whopping 7.5 yards per carry. He has two touchdowns on the young season, including this amazing run against McNeese State:
Abdullah will face the Fresno State Bulldogs Saturday. This should be another game in which the game-changing back gets to showcase his skills.
If Abdullah can keep up this type of production throughout the season, you can bet the Cowboys will be very interested him.
Dante Fowler Jr.
The Cowboys are in desperate need of a player who knows how to rush the passer. While Shane Ray is an explosive pass-rusher, he is a little light to be playing against NFL offensive tackles in the run game. Fowler has the length and frame to thrive at defensive end for the Cowboys.
"Dante Fowler showing his quickness early , lost a lot of bad weight in the off-season. http://t.co/l0pZRs6UKl
— Christian B. (@LordDraftnik) September 8, 2014"
The most intriguing thing about Fowler is how much he has improved from last year to now. This year, he looks noticeably quicker and more explosive than he did last year.
However, he needs to translate that into production. The biggest knock on him is that he doesn't produce at a high enough level to warrant the amount of hype he gets.
Still, CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler believes Fowler is a great fit with the Cowboys:
"The Cowboys traded up for Demarcus Lawrence in the 2014 NFL Draft, but the Dallas defense needs to add depth on the edges with players who can rush the passer and stop the run. Fowler would fit as a left defensive end in the Cowboys scheme and give Dallas bookend defensive ends, along with Lawrence on the right side.
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If Fowler proves that he can finish plays and produce on a consistent basis, then he may warrant the Cowboys' consideration in the first round. If not, Fowler may be a better option in the second or third round.
Quandre Diggs
The last spotlighted play is someone who may be a great option in the third or fourth round. This player is Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs.
Diggs has below-average size, but the 5'9", 200-pound CB makes up for it with elite speed. Diggs has fantastic coverage ability and a knack for making big plays. Like this one:
Diggs' style is not one known for its physicality. Therefore, he might best fit as a nickel cornerback for the Cowboys. He does a really good job of driving to the ball, utilizing his incredible quickness. He plays well in off coverage and in the press, but he can sometimes get pushed around by bigger receivers.
Another positive about Diggs is that he appears to be a leader for the Longhorns. He recently called out his teammates following a loss to BYU, per Yahoo.com's Graham Watson:
"I'm a guy who grew up winning. I never lost. I don't like to lose. It's not something I've ever accepted. I think sometimes guys accept losing because they come from different high schools where they're the stars, and as long as they are going in and making plays, it's acceptable. That's the thing they grew up with. Me, I never grew up losing. I don't like losing video games, cell phone games, any of that. I barely let my little nephews beat me in games. I take it so seriously.
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This is the type of leadership you want in a player, someone who is not afraid to hold his teammates accountable.
This week, Diggs and the Texas Longhorns face the UCLA Bruins. He will have his hands full as he takes on a deep Bruins' receiving corps.
With the uncertainty surrounding the futures of current Dallas corners Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr, Diggs may be a worthwhile consideration in the NFL draft.
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