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Dallas Cowboys Draft: Senior Bowl standouts to watch

By Adithya Prabakaran

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 23: Darnay Holmes #1 and Stephan Blaylock #4 of the UCLA Bruins tackle Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 23: Darnay Holmes #1 and Stephan Blaylock #4 of the UCLA Bruins tackle Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Peyton Hendershot #86 of the Indiana Hoosiers gives the stiff arm as Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines reaches for the tackle during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Peyton Hendershot #86 of the Indiana Hoosiers gives the stiff arm as Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines reaches for the tackle during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

LB, Josh Uche, Michigan

So here’s an interesting scenario. Uche is 6’1″, 241 pounds but has 9 1/2″ hands and 33 1/2″ arms, which are great for his size. Uche has some impressive burst and bend great for pass rushing while he has the speed and the instincts to play as an off-ball linebacker, especially in pass coverage.

Typically this isn’t a person the Cowboys target, but could the addition of Mike Nolan as DC potentially change-up the draft approach when it comes to selecting linebackers? Uche would be a good prospect to test that theory.

Mike Nolan has employed 3-4 and 4-3 base defenses, which means his front seven is dependent on the personnel of the team. An example below shows 3-4 under formation.

Mike McCarthy said earlier this offseason he doesn’t expect a change on the defensive side of the ball. Based on this and many more diagrams, the edge alignments are very similar while the nose tackle and under tackle swap positions as expected. From this formation, each of the linebackers have individual assignments limited to rushing the passer, playing man, or playing zone.

Just because of the various responsibilities for outside linebackers, Uche could make sense in Nolan’s defense. Uche has some ridiculous bend even for his relatively short height and he can turn the corner very nice when rushing the outside.

https://twitter.com/johndavogel/status/1220387814547841024

When running stunts, Uche explodes out of his break leaving the interior offensive line with no chance at protecting him.

In coverage, Uche was successful locking down some good receivers and tight ends showcasing his speed in the open field, his intelligence, and physicality.

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1220074814313914368

Uche should be fun to track at the combine as his explosive pops off the screen. If a creative DC figures out the right role to use him in Uche could be a productive player in this league for a long time.

That concludes this list as the game will take place on Saturday and the true winners and loser will be on full display for more than the media to watch. The Cowboys draft process should be fun as the team is heading in a different direction with their personnel. No matter what happens, the draft starts in Mobile.

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