Dallas Cowboys Add CB/S, Draft Byron Jones

Byron Jones fell to the Dallas Cowboys. The team needed help at cornerback and safety, and Jones has the versatility to play both.

The board fell perfectly for the Dallas Cowboys. About a week ago, I posted a list of names of who I thought the Cowboys would draft. You can view the list below:

Player	Position	College
Byron Jones	CB	Connecticut
Kevin Johnson	CB	Wake Forest
Marcus Peters	CB	Washington
Todd Gurley	RB	Georgia
Melvin Gordon	RB	Wisconsin
Owamagbe Odighizuwa	DE	UCLA
Eric Kendricks	LB	UCLA

At the top of my wishlist, I had Byron Jones. Despite this list being realistic, there were reports that Shane Ray or even Randy Gregory could be the Cowboys’ picks, as Ed Werder of ESPN reported during the draft that the Cowboys had a staff meeting today regarding the prospects of taking either Gregory or Ray.

#Cowboys held special staff meeting today to decide whether to consider risky pass rushers Randy Gregory, Shane Ray. Both still available.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) May 1, 2015

Granted, I had Jones as a fourth-round grade before the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. However, there wasn’t a player that improved his draft stock more at the combine than Jones. At the event, Jones had a 147-inch broad jump, which set a world record. Yes, you read that correctly, a world record. He also had a 44.5-inch vertical jump as well. Jones excelled in every agility and jumping test, thus showing off his explosiveness. Here’s what Dane Brugler had to say about the pick:

#Cowboys get their guy. Love this pick for them this late in the 1st.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) May 1, 2015

On tape, it’s easy to see his agility and his explosiveness. He plays with excellent instincts and he isn’t afraid to go at it with receivers at the line of scrimmage. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, he fits the mold for a cornerback in today’s NFL. I honestly believe he can make an impact in his rookie year. Jones has excellent speed, which allows him to keep pace with receivers running deep routes. Here’s what an anonymous NFL North scout had to say about Jones.

"“High-character player with the vision and instincts you want from an NFL cornerback. I’m not sure I like him in man coverage but there is a place for him in our league. Really nice young man who you cheer for.”"

The Cowboys use more zone defense than man defense. Earlier today, it was reported that the Cowboys plan to not use their team option on Morris Claiborne in 2015. While that doesn’t entirely mean he won’t back, it’s a good indicator that the two sides will part ways after the 2015 season. With the pick, it also wouldn’t come as a surprise if Brandon Carr was designated as a post June 1st cut in the next few weeks. Here’s what Joey Ickes had to say about the Cowboys drafting Jones.

Dallas got a GREAT combo of need+value+upside taking @Byron16Jump at 27. My favorite player in the draft & their prototype CB. #CowboysHQ
— Joey Ickes (@JoeyIckes) May 1, 2015

With Jones, the Cowboys now have a cornerback to pair with Orlando Scandrick. Adding Jones is also a smart move, as he has the ability to play cornerback or safety, both of which are needs for the Cowboys. Jones fits what the Cowboys need and although the Cowboys do not have a good history of drafting cornerbacks, they seem be ecstatic about bringing in an instinctive, intelligent guy like Jones.

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