Dallas Cowboys Draft: 7 Different Safeties in 7 Different Rounds

Antoine Brooks Jr, Maryland

Round Grade: 6th

Value: Correct

In the fifth round, the Cowboys grab a safety that once played alongside former first round pick Darnell Savage. Much like Savage, Brooks is a dense 5-foot-11,  220 pounds and played a mix of defensive back and linebacker. Brooks position is largely unknown at the next level but finding the right scheme could provide some clarity.

Brooks is a stocky guy who’s hip stiffness contribute to a lack of lateral quickness. After running a 4.64 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, the speed concerns that existed in film were verified. All these concerns lead experts to believe that Brooks is a split safety. (A double-high safety look that forms triangle alignments with cornerbacks, outer linebackers, and the high safety)

In college, Brooks totaled 27.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 9 passes defended. Outside of the TFL number, the rest of the numbers look pedestrian. This is and the lack of clarity regarding his position are reasons why he fall this far and probably will far farther on draft day.

Picks at this point are taken on athletic prospects and Brooks doesn’t quite fit that description, but a creative defensive coordinator will get a lot out of players like him. Not too long ago, Mike Nolan took a defender in William Moore and helped him become a Pro-Bowl strong safety. Even though Moore was better in coverage, their build and athleticism were very similar.

If you couldn’t tell by the recent pattern, the value of safety as the draft prolongs is starting to dissipate, which means if the Cowboys want a playmaker at the safety position, they might have to look early on in the draft.