Dallas Cowboys: 7 Safety Draft Prospects to Watch Post-Combine

After getting a good look at all the safety prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine, here are seven safeties the Dallas Cowboys could consider

Heading into the offseason the Dallas Cowboys had a need in the secondary. Three-of-four starters in their secondary were entering free agency, as was their primary backup safety. So far both safeties—Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox—have signed deals elsewhere. Church is now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Wilcox is part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Their two corners, Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, both appear to be gone as not even a whisper has come out of Dallas that they are interested in bringing them back. While corner is important, they did at least address this some with the signing of Nolan Carroll, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles. Safety, on the other hand, is still wide open.

Currently on the roster, the starter looks to be veteran Jeff Heath. While Heath has developed into a key part of their team he has just ten career starts, with nine of those coming his rookie season back in 2013. They also have 2016 sixth-round pick Kavon Frazier. The team has hopes he can develop, but with just six tackles as a rookie, there may be a lot of room for the late-round pick to grow before he can be trusted in a starting role.

So maybe they need to turn to the draft to find their next guy at strong safety. Right now it's not obvious whether that's a high pick to start right away, or someone to groom in case Heath isn't the guy. Whatever the Boys decide, they need to be looking hard at safeties this draft and here are seven prospects worth consideration.

Nov 12, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) carries the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) defends during the first half at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jabrill Peppers — Michigan

Michigan defender Jabrill Peppers entered the combine without a true position. He left it with most believing that he will be a strong safety, but not necessarily a traditional one. Peppers plays a hybrid role and spent a lot of time at linebacker for the Wolverines. He's a hard hitter that grew up with a rough home life which included seeing his father in jail for most of his childhood. Peppers channelled his energy into football and even spent time as a running back and return specialist for Michigan.

Vitals

Height: 5-11
Weight: 213 Pounds
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.46s
Bench Press: 19 Reps
Career Tackles: 119
Career Interceptions: 1

What the Scouts Say:

He was a sensational punt returner which means that, even if there is a learning curve for the position, Peppers can contribute immediately. Robert Judin of Campus Insider likes his ability to penetrate the backfield while still showing good cover skills.

He has the size and speed to cover both tight ends and wide receivers and is a high-energy guy with a Swiss-army knife background — team player. Find a spot for him and give him ample time to work at it without being bounced back and forth between position groups like he was a Michigan.

Is he a fit in Dallas?

Yes, he would be a great fit in Dallas. While he may not have the best cover skills of all the safeties in the 2017 NFL Draft, he would be an upgrade over both Church and Wilcox in that area. He would also bring that hard-hitting style that Wilcox had, which made people think twice about coming over the middle of the field. He would also be great at bringing pressure off blitzes, something Dallas could really use.

Nov 10, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Utah Utes defensive back Marcus Williams (20) returns an interception against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

2. Marcus Williams — Utah

A solid athlete, Marcus Williams from Utah played free safety, but raised concerns for being under 200 pounds. He was slightly over that mark when he weighed in at the combine, which helps his stock—but the tape is out there where he struggled to bring down ball carries without surrendering more yards after the hit.

Vitals

Height: 6-1
Weight: 202 Pounds
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.56s
Bench Press: 14 Reps
Career Tackles: 188
Career Interceptions: 11

What the Scouts Say:

Shawn Spencer of NFL Mocks likes the fluidity to Williams game:

Williams possesses good athletic ability with fluid hips to create quick, smooth changes of direction. This also allows him to cover more ground as he displays very good play speed to cover a wide zone between the numbers.

The problem is, Spencer believes he is a backup at best at the next level. His biggest concern is how he is unable to matchup with physical receivers and tight ends.

Is he a fit in Dallas?

Probably not, and not just because he is a free safety. The Cowboys like to use their safeties in interchangeable ways and covet cover skills at both positions. If a free safety shows solid tackling skills, they would probably consider him in the position. The problems with physicality is why Dallas most likely passes, despite him being a potential Day 3 pick.

Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. Desmond King — Iowa

A cornerback throughout his career at Iowa, Desmond King is believed to be a safety prospect at the next level. While his speed isn't ideal for covering receivers on the outside, he would bring exceptional cover skills to the safety position and was a ballhawk for the Hawkeyes.

Vitals

Height: 5-10
Weight: 201 Pounds
40-Yard Dash Time: N/A
Bench Press: 14 Reps
Career Tackles: 263
Career Interceptions: 14

What the Scouts Say:

It's hard to figure out where King will play. Is he a corner, or a safety? He showed excellent tackling skills for his position and has a nose for the football. CBS Sports' Rob Rang however doesn't seem too high on him thanks to his lack of speed.

Frankly, King is a better football player than athlete. He doesn't possess elite agility or speed and didn't face many true speed demons in the Big Ten. King doesn't possess the makeup speed to recover if he's beaten initially. While King sports broad shoulders, he doesn't possess the height or length scouts prefer in an outside corner, which may limit him to "just" slot duties at the next level. Scouts may want to investigate King's football character. Iowa suspended him for the first quarter of the Nov. 28 matchup with Nebraska, reportedly for his being late to a team meeting.

What Rang does praise, however, is King's ability with the ball in his hands. Despite never crossing into the end zone, he was respectable in both kick and punt returns.

Is he a fit in Dallas?

King could be a corner in Dallas, or he could very well move to safety as they don't. Barry Church has started at strong safety for years and his tackling wasn't much better than what King offers—he also wasn't any faster than King. Perhaps the Hawkeye could be good enough at coverage that Dallas would like to pair him with Byron Jones patrolling the deep part of the field.

Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) returns a 79 yd punt for a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

4. Eddie Jackson — Alabama

Alabama safety Eddie Jackson hardly did anything at the combine (due to an ACL injury suffered in-season) and his stock is currently that of a mid-round pick. The best thing going for him at the moment is his experience in the Crimson Tide defense which has a long history of sending good players to the pros. Jackson may have hurt his stock after returning for his senior season. He had six interceptions, and scored off two returns in 2015.

Vitals

Height: 6-0
Weight: 201 Pounds
40-Yard Dash Time: N/A
Bench Press: 10 Reps
Career Tackles: 126
Career Interceptions: 10

What the Scouts Say:

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said this in Jackson's Draft Profile:

Former cornerback-turned-safety with decent instincts and good ball skills but a finesse mentality as a tackler relative to those around him. Jackson's background in man coverage and his ability to return punts should create some additional value for him, but he'll be pressed into much more difficult situations in the league. Jackson is an average NFL backup with immediate punt return possibilities.

Is he a fit in Dallas?

Like mentioned before Dallas likes to use their safeties interchangeably, which means the titles of free and strong safety don't mean a ton. While Jackson is called a strong safety, he really doesn't fit that traditional mold. What he does offer is a player who can cover very well, but is suspect at tackling. He is more "finesse" than "thump," but could be an option for Dallas in the mid rounds should they decide against a safety early on. If they decide to go pass rush and corner first, Jackson wouldn't be the worst consolation prize.

Sep 17, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Marcus Maye (20) during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. Marcus Maye — Florida

Marcus Maye missed three games his senior season due to a broken arm, but is a pretty talented prospect. He is projected as a day two pick by many. He spent his career at Florida playing as a free safety, but has the size to play either spot.

Vitals

Height: 6-0
Weight: 210 Pounds
40-Yard Dash Time: N/A
Bench Press: N/A
Career Tackles: 205
Career Interceptions: 5

What the Scouts Say:

Maye is listed as a free safety, but people like Chris Georges of NFL Mocks seem to think he would be better down near the line of scrimmage than patrolling deep:

With his experience, game awareness and tackling ability, Maye will certainly be in an NFL uniform next season. He has a fairly high floor for a safety, but doesn't have a particularly high ceiling. He will be most successful on a team where he is able to play predominately zone coverage, while also spending time around the line of scrimmage to help out in the run game.

Is he a fit in Dallas?

His injury may have hurt his stock, as did playing on a really talented defense with several other players expected to go in the first two days of the 2017 NFL Draft. What keeps Maye from being an ideal fit in Dallas is his liability in coverage. He surrendered 10 touchdowns during his Gators career, according to NFL.com, and the Cowboys would be better served to find someone who can provide better pass coverage.

Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Josh Jones goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

6. Josh Jones — NC State

Much more of a traditional strong safety, North Carolina State's Josh Jones was impressive with 20 reps on the bench press at the combine. He had 109 tackles during his junior season and is quickly gaining recognition as a second-day pick in the upcoming draft.

Vitals

Height: 6-1
Weight: 220 Pounds
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.41s
Bench Press: 20
Career Tackles: 229
Career Interceptions: 7

What the Scouts Say:

He's 220-pounds but can fly. He's a load when he hits people and is an excellent tackler with great form. He doesn't sacrifice coverage for hitting though and has experience at both safety spots. Dane Brugler of CBS Sports had this to say of the NC State product:

Looks the part with his height, length and build. Explodes out of a cannon on his tackling angles, accelerating in a flash. Speedy in pursuit to track down ballcarriers from behind. Aggressive hug-and-finish tackler in the open field. Creates stopping power with his downhill demeanor. Physical take-on skills to attack and tear through blocks.

Is he a fit in Dallas?

Yes, Jones is surely a fit. He is a tackling machine that could start as a rookie and would bring an element of toughness to the defense. While he can be a bit undisciplined, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli would be able to deal with that given the amount of talent he brings.

Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Connecticut Huskies defensive back Obi Melifonwu runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

7. Obi Melifonwu — Connecticut

A teammate of current Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones at Connecticut for two years, Obi Melifonwu actually was more productive than Jones for his career. Like Jones, he was also a workout warrior at the scouting combine and turned heads with every event he took part in. Could that lead him to being selected with the 28th pick in Dallas—a similar spot to when they took Jones with the 27th pick in 2015?

Vitals

Height: 6-4
Weight: 224 Pounds
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.40s
Bench Press: 17 Reps
Career Tackles: 349
Career Interceptions: 8

What the Scouts Say:

According to Pro Football Focus, Melifonwu finished in the top 10 in run-stop percentage and the top 20 in tackling efficiency in major college football. They do add that, while he is exceptional near the line of scrimmage, he is incredible athletic for such a large player and can excel in coverage.

At 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, Melifonwu flashes the all-around athleticism uncommonly seen for a man his size. While he is certainly capable of covering the deep third, and displays the range and ball skills to close and make plays to the boundary with consistency, he is capable of making a bigger impact at the next level the closer he is to the line of scrimmage. His physicality is on display in man coverage, where he is not afraid to punch his man off the line of scrimmage and at the break point in order to stay on his hip.

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Is he a fit in Dallas?

Melifonwu competes with Josh Jones as the best fit in Dallas. The question becomes whether or not they see him as a first -ound pick. With needs so pressing at pass rusher, it may be hard to go in any other direction, but should they not take Melifonwu with the 28th pick, he surely won't be there when they are on the clock at the end of Round 2. It may be worth it to shore up that position and take a gamble on a player in a deep defensive end class.