Dallas Cowboys Draft: Position by position breakdown (defense)

Mekhi Garner – CB

Mekhi Garner is a fifth-year senior defensive back who changed schools to LSU after having gone to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette for his first three years of college.

At 6’2 and 212 lbs, he’s an enormous cornerback with terrific length. He is a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. Possesses excellent instincts and plays with a high level physicality.

He has an impressive grasp of football, including familiarity with a variety of route combinations, and he is adept at disrupting and breaking up the receivers’ routes.

He provides a physical presence in run support and pass defense from the cornerback position. Very physical. He displays a high level of discipline. Smart and heady player.

Garner excels at recognizing when to leave coverage and tackle the ball carrier.

Julius Brents – CB

Julius Brents is an extraordinary athlete with limbs of remarkable length that enable him to keep up with the game’s pace with ease due to his loose movements and agility.

He has the man-cover skills that will give him a chance to fight for a starting role when he first joins the NFL.

He is a freak athlete. 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, with an 82.6 inch wingspan (longest in NFL combine history for cornerbacks). He has all of necessary traits to be a classic bully CB.

Not scared to get physical when tackling. He provides scheme flexibility. He is adept at playing both Safety and Cornerback.

He is a freak athlete. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds and has exceptional length with his height with an 82.6 wingspan (longest in NFL combine history for CB).

His battle with against Quentin Johnston in the Big-12 CC game was a joy to watch.

Physical CB not afraid to tackle. Display scheme versatility. Has played both S and CB.

Cam Smith – CB

Cam Smith, a highly-ranked four-star recruit, is continuing South Carolina’s pattern of producing top-notch corners for the NFL due to his impressive natural ball skills and understanding of the game.

He has consistently been a player who jumps off the tape when you watched him play in time as a starter. He chose to turn pro early and become a top prospect in the draft.

He has high-level traits that enable him to be in his receiver’s hip pocket, then run routes like a wideout.

He has incredible instincts and cognitive abilities, and is driven to make plays downfield and disrupt a play in the flat. His cornerback skills make him the perfect man-coverage playmaker that has all the qualities you want.

Smith shares some qualities with Diggs, but he isn’t quite as skilled in deep passing as Diggs, however, he is a better contributor to the running game.

He can work either inside or outside and will fit in Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme.

Devon Weatherspoon – CB

Devon Weatherspoon is a cornerback that has a complete set of skills including quickness, athleticism and the ability to locate the ball. He plays in a manner that is captivating, and he has a wide range of tactics which gives him an admirable versatility.

His recognition is excellent, and he has the skill to recognize plays before they unfold is uncanny. He is adept at playing the ball, hits with power and is a proficient defender. I’m a huge admirer of all of it.

I’m willing to contemplate the possibility of changing his position from CB to FS.

Tyrique Stevenson – CB

Tyrique Stevenson brings to the table a combination of size and speed, physical toughness, and a swagger that many coaches desire in man-cover defenders.

Stevenson’s big, physical, and effective most in his press coverage opportunities. He doesn’t mind pushing and riding the hip of route runners. He is confident in his ability and will continuously challenge the receivers throughout the entire game.

I think Stevenson has gotten overlooked in this year’s cornerback class.