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Dallas Cowboys Draft: 7 Different Safeties in 7 Different Rounds

By Adithya Prabakaran

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Xavier McKinney #DB52 of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks to the media on day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Xavier McKinney #DB52 of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks to the media on day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Brandon Jones #DB51 of the Texas Longhorns speaks to the media on day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Brandon Jones #DB51 of the Texas Longhorns speaks to the media on day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Brandon Jones, SAF, Texas

Round Grade: Late 3rd/ Early 4th

Value: Correct value

This is not the first time I’ve written about the Texas safety and I guarantee you it won’t be the last. Jones started for three years and was most productive in his final season. Even then, he’s still quite a work in progress.

If you were interested in the math, both Clemson safety K’Von Wallace and Jones were available on 90 percent of the trials I ran while Jeremy Chinn was actually available on 50 percent of them.

Jones possesses the athletic upside you want of a really raw prospect. That said, Jones is a bit more developed than a true “raw” prospect. He is surprisingly good in man coverage and is productive near the line of scrimmage. In three seasons, he totaled 14 tackles for loss and one sack.

The biggest issue for the Longhorn is his instincts as a deep safety; this is a fairly crucial aspect of playing the safety position. Even though the senior is blazing fast, his reaction time compromises his athleticism. In addition, he gets thrown off easily by the eyes of opposing quarterbacks.

Teams like to use day one and two of the draft to select starting-caliber players with the hope that they provide some instant impact. Jones could provide some instant impact playing around the line of scrimmage and eventually work towards the deep areas of the field.

That might not garner much playing time in this new quarters defense but with defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist in the fold, the team may look to cash in on some high-upside athletes in the defensive backfield.

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