Did The Dallas Cowboys Strike Gold With Rookie Free Agents?

Continuing my series on the draft, I decided to take a look at some of the undrafted guys before moving on to round 4. Anyone who has followed my articles, knows, I love “The Guys No One Is Talking About”. Two of the rookie FA’s featured in this story are guys I wrote about in my Diamonds In The Rough article a few months ago. I was elated to see that the Cowboys picked them up.

Darrell Scott, RB S. Florida

6-1  240  4.48  40

Scott played for Moor Park High School, where he had an outstanding career, helping his team to reach the section championship game 2 consecutive years in 2005 and 2006. In his junior year, Scott rushed for 3,194 yards on 337 carries. He also scored 45 TD’s. He wanted to play against tougher competition in his senior year and it is rumored his parents shopped him to different private schools in an effort to better his chances of getting a scholarship. It worked. He ended up at St Bonaventure High School where he rushed for 2,433 yards and had 34 TD’s as a senior. Leading them to a 14-1 season. He played in the Army All American Bowl, was a 5 star recruit coming out of HS and had 40 different schools offer him a scholarship. He decided on Colorado but after 2 years he decided to transfer to S. Florida because he felt he wasn’t getting enough carries. Sharing carries in Fl he led the team with 814 rushing yards in 2011.

Scott is a powerful runner with good thickness throughout his legs. He can carry piles and punish linebackers at the second level, albeit only at times when he chooses power over agility. When he is decisive, he hits the hole well and accelerates through the line of scrimmage. He can run through arm tackles and is serviceable as a blocker in pass protection. NFL.com

If there is one thing the Cowboys have been missing it is a big strong back for 3rd and short or goal line situations. Scott fills this need in so many ways. He is strong and can use his size/strength  to power his way in to the endzone. .  Due to his small school label he has slipped through the cracks and I believe he was a steal as an undrafted player. He could be the next Bus. There is some question about his vision (the ability to see holes), but his upside is tremendous. I give this pick a B + for value.

Adrian Hamilton,  LB Prairie View A&M

6-2  255  4.7  40

Adrian Hamilton had an opportunity to catch the eye of NFL scouts by participating in the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game at Kino Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. He was the nation’s sack leader with 20.5 sacks and the 2011 co-SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. He was one of 16 players from the FCS selected to play in the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game and the only representative from the SWAC. He competed against a solid group of players from across the country from leagues such as the SEC, Pac-12, Big 12, WAC, Big East and Big Ten. This was  the second all-star game Hamilton participated in since completing his career at Prairie View. Hamilton was named to The Associated Press FCS First Team this past season and became the third consecutive Panther to earn All-American honors. He also finished third overall in the 2011 Buck Buchanan Award voting which is the top defensive honor on the FCS level.

Hamilton led the nation with 20.5 sacks; he  joined Chris Gocong and Robert Mathis as the only players to record more than 20 sacks in a season… Looks like an NFL player, has a chiseled physique with little body fat; also helped his cause by running a 4.70-40 at his pro day… Great athlete; is definitely athletic enough to play in a 3-4 defense and of course has the pass rush ability that teams look for… Excellent speed rush, has a great first step and can bust past any tackle that stands in his way… Has a nice spin move that could be fine tuned but should do the trick as well… Has a good shoulder dip move when going around an offensive tackle; his athleticism allows him to get really low but still maintain his balance and speed… Has a great motor; relentless pass rusher and tore up his competition using it… When he gets a sack the quarterback feels it the next day; a vicious but clean hitter. Sideline Scouting

When I watched the tape on this guy I was amazed that he went undrafted. He has a non stop motor and the ability to play sideline to sideline. This may very well be the best undrafted prospect the Cowboys acquired in a long time. I believe the small school label was the primary factor in his going undrafted.  I give this pick an A+ grade for value.

George Bryan, TE N.Carolina

6-5  265  5.14  40

George Bryan was a three sport star in high school – football, basketball, and baseball. Bryan was all conference in high school football at DE and TE.

Inserted into the lineup in 2008, Bryan has been a brilliant, record-setting receiving TE, as well as a quality blocker. Stats were 18 catches for 201 yards and 4 TDs in 2008, 40/422/6 in 2009, 35/369/3 in 2010, and 33/331/4 in 2011. Bryan has won too many awards to count. Considering the limited role for TE’s in college these are some very impressive numbers. I feel he has excellent potential to be a solid #2 behind Jason Witten. He does need to work on his upper body strength to take on pass rushers at the NFL level, but I feel a yr with Woicik can take care of that. I had him mocked to the Cowboys in the 6th round. I love the fact that they were able to get him as a FA.  I give this pick an A- for value.

Bryan is a bit high hipped in his frame and, well, slow. Bryan’s game is finding soft spots in zones and using his frame to exploit his greatest asset: world class hands. As an NFL Draft prospect, he is clearly a traditional blocking and receiving TE. He has good technique and bend as a blocker and some power in his hands, and blocks well enough for #1 TE duty. However, his frame keeps his center of gravity high, preventing Bryan from getting a top blocking grade. As a receiver, the main issue is whether Bryan has the agility to get open against tighter coverage at the next level, including man. Bryan can turn and cut well, and if a strong armed NFL QB can gun the ball into his hands, he will almost always catch it.

Hands are about as good as you’ll see in the sport of football – glue. Excels at finding soft spots in zone coverage and using his large frame to shield the ball from defenders. Quality blocker. Has enough power and bend combined with good technique which consistently results in successful blocks. Productive, durable, experienced leader – top intangibles. Brad Noel CBS Sports

There are several more of the  undrafted guys that I really like. In a future article I will touch on some of them.

"” I have to say I think JJ out did himself on some of these undrafted rookies. To me, some of these guys are better prospects than the guys he drafted!”"

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