The NFL world will be gathering soon at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The Dallas Cowboys, who have developed a reputation for generally making good on their first-round picks, will have plenty of top prospects to choose from. Dallas holds the 12th and 20th overall pick, which should land them two great choices in the top 20 of the draft.
After the Cowboys had such a porous defensive unit last year, expect the Cowboys to aggressively retool that side in support of first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The team could use some depth on the offensive side. Here are five low-key combine players that could be on the Cowboys’ radar.
C.J. Donaldson, Ohio State, RB
C.J. Donaldson is a deep sleeper for the Cowboys to have their eyes on. He didn’t see much playing time at Ohio State as he sat buried on the depth chart because of a prolific offense led by two excellent receivers. Donaldson is much of a diamond in the rough, but has potential.
He came to Columbus as a transfer from West Virginia, where he originally started as a tight end before converting to running back his freshman season. Because of his background, he’s a diverse weapon who can catch the football in addition to being a downhill runner. At West Virginia, he ran for over 100 yards in seven of his first 19 career games in college.
Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee, WR
You hope that the Cowboys can find a way to retain George Pickens for another year, at least with the franchise tag. Also, with Jalen Tolbert headed for free agency, the Cowboys will need depth at wide receiver regardless. Tennessee’s Chris Brazell II has a great athletic foundation to work from. He’s 6’5” with terrific speed to stretch the field vertically. Surely his length will attract extra looks from the scouts, and if he runs as well as he’s expected to, he may rise up draft boards. That said, he does need to add more muscle to his frame and sharpen his route running. There’s also a familial tie as his father played for the Cowboys from 1999 to 2000.
Pat Coogan, Indiana, iOL
Under offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, one thing is clear: The Cowboys want to run the football through the heart of defenses. Because of that, the Cowboys need to get more interior linemen, and Pat Coogan fits the bill. He’s a big body at 6’5”, 311 lbs. The All-American has a championship pedigree and should be one of the better values in the draft. He’s expected to fall as late as the last day of the draft, even though some believe he should go later in the draft, but Dallas would be wise to keep tabs on him at the combine.
Coogan could develop into a rotational starter down the road, as he can play center or guard. He opened big holes for the national champion Indiana Hoosiers and made life easier for running backs Kobe Black and Roman Hemby. Dallas may lose Brock Hoffman, who is a restricted free agent, Coogan would be a seamless addition.
Bryce Boettcher, Oregon, LB
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher would be another late-round pick worth an investment. He has above-average athleticism for his size, thanks to his background as a safety, and he proved to be a solid coverage linebacker for the Ducks. Because Oregon had talent along the defensive line, Boettcher’s job was easier, and he did his job to fit through gaps created by his teammates. In Dallas, the defensive line should be much improved throughout the roster, helping Boettcher transition to the NFL if selected by Dallas.
As of now, the Cowboys have more questions than answers at linebacker and need all the help they can get. Marist Liufau is a work in progress, Shemar James had a crash course for life as an NFL linebacker in his first season, and the health of DeMarvion Overshown is always a concern. Boettcher, a First-Team All-American last season, could be a great find late in the draft.
Bishop Fitzgerald, USC, S
Safety is one of the more underrated needs for the Cowboys. Dallas needs to get better at creating turnovers, and the back half of their secondary is getting older. Donovan Wilson is set for free agency, and Malik Hooker is approaching 30 years old. Dallas has been linked to Caleb Downs going to them at number 12, but that’s if everything falls just right. Bishop Fitzgerald is a middle-round prospect who makes plays on the ball and gets turnovers. He has eight interceptions over the last two seasons. Per PFF, Fitzgerald had a 90.8 coverage grade. Fitzgerald, in a pinch, can also play cornerback in the slot.
Who are some of your under-the-radar guys at the combine that we should keep an eye on?