Simi Fehoko’s exciting ceiling on the Dallas Cowboys

When the Dallas Cowboys selected Stanford WR Simi Fehoko with the 179th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, draft geeks took notice. The 6-foot-4, 222lb. pass-catcher had become a draftnik darling last draft cycle and in the fifth round he seemed a bona fide steal.

Fehoko’s 4.43 speed and 6.78 3-cone were oddities for a man his size. Despite his poor route-running and questionable coverage recognition, he had a tantalizing skillset upon which to build. He was the ideal pick for a team willing and able to take the time and develop.

Simi Fehoko has a chance of being a major weapon on the Dallas Cowboys if he can just take the next steps in his development.

At 25-years-old, Simi is not your typical second year player. After taking two years off for his LDS mission, Fehoko entered college late. He red-shirted his first season at Stanford but made his presence felt in year two, catching 24 balls for 556  yards and setting a school record with his 23.6 yards/reception.

The Dallas Cowboys are hoping a similar career arch follows Simi Fehoko in his professional career. 2021 was a year of redshirting for Fehoko. The unpolished route-runner had to start from square one with the Dallas Cowboys, learning coverages, technique, and hand placement.

He was surviving thriving on natural traits in college, using his speed and enormous frame to make plays. As Dane Brugler pointed out in his profile, 77 percent of Simi’s catches resulted in a first down or a touchdown at Stanford. It’s safe to say he’s going to have learn the nuances of the game if he wants that to continue with the Dallas Cowboys.

Simi’s explosion off the line, deep speed, and ability to use his body on slant routes, make him an ideal X receiver in the pros. But in Kellen Moore’s system, which moves pass-catchers around, Fehoko is going to need to prove himself elsewhere – particularly in the slot.

Improving his route-running is clearly objective one, but blocking ability isn’t far behind. There’s no reason for a man his size to struggle like he does blocking but his Stanford tape shows it’s a major opportunity in his development.

The top WR he’s competing with on the Cowboys happens to be one of the best blockers in the NFL. Noah Brown may not be a respected pass-catcher but he consistently ranks as an elite blocker. Kellen uses Brown regularly in his running formations and often deploys him like he would a move-tight end.

If Simi can develop as a blocker he’ll give Kellen a more versatile weapon to rotate between the slot and X positions. Someone who must be respected in both phases of the game. This is a tall task for sure, but well within Fehoko’s ability, given his size.

Simi Fehoko isn’t going to challenge for a starting spot this season and barring injury, probably won’t crack the top-4 either. But he can be a special deep weapon in 2022 and still impact the game tremendously.

Keep in mind, he wasn’t a starter in his record-breaking 2019 season at Stanford. The Dallas Cowboys could similarly use him in his second year in the pros. Think about the Brice Butler role…

For three seasons Brice Bulter served as Dallas’ deep weapon. Not a starter but a regular contributor, Butler impacted the outcome of games tremendously as a deep threat. In two of his three seasons in Dallas, Butler averaged over 21-yards per reception and even as a reserve he still made it onto the field for over 40 percent of the offensive snaps in Dallas.

Brice Butler may not be a sexy comp, but he’s realistic and his contributions were extremely impactful. If Simi can develop into half the blocker Noah Brown is, he could force his way onto the field and take a big step in his professional development.

After that, the sky is the limit for Simi Fehoko on the Dallas Cowboys. This high-ceiling player has a long way to go but if he can take the next step this season in his development, he could keep his trajectory pointed up and make a lot of Cowboys draftniks extremely happy.