2011 NFL Draft: Could the Dallas Cowboys Select LSU's Patrick Peterson?
Letโs be clear: Patrick Peterson will be taken before the Dallas Cowboys have an opportunity to select the cornerback from LSU with the ninth overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.ย Heโs the best defensive back in this class, by far, and is as close to a โcanโt-missโ prospect as possible.
But weird things happen on draft day, and thereโs no reason Peterson canโt start to slide a few spots.ย
The stud defensive tackles (Nick Fairley of Auburn and DaโQuan Bowers of Clemson) could surely go ahead of him, as could elite wide receiver prospect A.J. Green from Georgia.ย If a team gets quarterback-hungry, Blaine Gabbert of Missouri might get selected too early.ย Edge-rushers are always hot commodities, and UNCโs Robert Quinn and Texas A&Mโs Von Miller are athletic freaks.ย
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Now, I certainly donโt foresee Petersonโs potential drop as a likely scenario.ย Some have said heโs a lock for the Buffalo Bills at No. 3.ย
But, if he does drop, the Cowboys will certainly value his versatility.ย
Peterson plays cornerback, but some envision him as a future free safety (which is one small reason he might drop a spot or two), and heโs also an amazing return man.ย That trio of skills would certainly fit well in Dallas, so why not at least take a look at the LSU star?
Scouting Report
At 6'1", 222 pounds, Peterson has the body of an NFL safety.ย His speed, quickness and hips are all elite, however, so he excels at cornerback.ย
He is very fluid and has no problem giving receivers ground so he can break on underneath routes, using his make-up speed to recover if necessary.ย Iโve heard rumors Peterson has aroundย a 40" vertical leap and already ran a 4.37 electronically timed 40-yard dash.
To go along with that explosiveness, Peterson has excellent body control.ย Straight speed is nothing in the NFL if you canโt stop quickly as well.ย
Peterson is a playmaker who can become ultra-aggressive at times.ย Once in a while, he becomes too aggressive and will overrun plays.ย He wasnโt beat much in college because heโs such a tremendous athlete, but he could be susceptible to double-moves in the NFL.ย
It isnโt like that sort of technique canโt be taught, however, and Peterson seems to be a quick learner.
Petersonโs strength is superior for a cornerback, and he excels in press coverage.ย It isnโt like heโs weak in zone, but his skill set is perfect for jamming receivers, shadowing them and then turning to make a play on the football.
Peterson is a sure tackler, but sometimes he isnโt as aggressive against the run as needed.ย He wonโt miss many open-field tackles, but he doesnโt fly around the field in run support like Miamiโs Brandon Harris.
With Dez Bryantโs value to the team being too great to justify using him on returns, Peterson could also contribute there.ย
Projection
Peterson could go anywhere from the second overall selection to the sixth.ย I donโt see enough top-level prospects ahead of him for Peterson to drop any further.ย Plus, if he does drop to Clevelandโs No. 6 pick, teams will be dying to trade up ahead of San Francisco to grab him.
According to the NFLโs draft value chart, the sixth pick is worth (roughly) Dallasโ No. 9 selection and their third-round pick.ย That may be a small price to pay for a player with Petersonโs ability.
Other Potential Cowboys Draft Picks in 2011
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