Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh, DT.
Perhaps the most impressive defensive player during Senior Bowl practices was Donald, who at 6-1, 288 pounds might not be as valuable to teams that use 3-4 defensive schemes because of his lack of size. Donald seems like a perfect fit for the Cowboys, whose 4-3 defensive scheme places a premium on a tackle who can rush the passer.
Donald’s first step sets him apart. He’s being touted as the quickest defensive tackle in this year’s draft, but he also has deceptive power. The Cowboys met with Donald at the Senior Bowl. He has the speed to leave offensive linemen in their stance. Despite facing several double-teams last season, he finished with 11 sacks.
Mike Davis, Texas, WR.
Texas senior receiver Mike Davis says Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant is “like my big brother,” so he’d be a natural fit should he wear a star on his helmet next season. And the Cowboys probably will be in the market for another receiver. They’re expected to move on from Miles Austin to help free up salary-cap space by making him a post-June 1 cut. Davis (6- 01/4, 193) is sure-handed and a solid route runner but lacks size. He said he can play outside or in the slot in the NFL. Davis said he’s looking forward to the NFL scouting combine this month in Indianapolis.
“I feel like my 40 [time] will really shock people,” Davis said.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois, QB.
He’s been touted as the next Tony Romo - only he’s expected to be drafted. Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo broke all of the college’s passing records held by either Romo or New Orleans Saints coach Sean Peyton in finishing his career with more than 13,000 passing yards and 118 touchdowns. Garoppolo had a standout senior season as the top FCS quarterback, throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 53 touchdowns.
Garoppolo (6-2 1/4, 219) doesn’t have a huge arm, but scouts love his above-average understanding of offenses.
Dee Ford, Auburn, DE.
The Cowboys value speed along the defensive line, and a player who was quick to make an impression on Senior Bowl scouts was Auburn end Dee Ford. Ford was constantly in the backfield during practices and carried that over to the game. Ford used great closing speed to record two sacks and also knocked down a pass - all in the first half - to earn MVP honors for the South team. Ford (6-2, 243) helped Auburn reach the BCS national championship game. He led the Tigers with 10 1/2 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries and 14 1/2 tackles for loss. Ford could fit as an outside linebacker for some teams because he lacks size. But he wouldn’t have to bulk up much to be a good fit for the Cowboys in their 4-3 scheme.
Kareem Martin, North Carolina, DE.
North Carolina defensive end Kareem Martin showed at the Senior Bowl that he’s one of the best pass rushers in this year’s draft class. He’s projected to go in the first two rounds. Martin (6-6, 272) finished fifth in the nation with 21 1/2 tackles for loss last season and had 11 1/2 sacks in North Carolina’s 4-2-5 scheme. Martin had the second-biggest wingspan among Senior Bowl players at 84 1/4 inches. He said he’s versatile enough that he could also play outside linebacker but would feel more comfortable as an end in a 4-3 scheme because that’s the position he’s always played. Martin said he had a “good meeting” with Cowboys scouts at the Senior Bowl.
Perhaps the most impressive defensive player during Senior Bowl practices was Donald, who at 6-1, 288 pounds might not be as valuable to teams that use 3-4 defensive schemes because of his lack of size. Donald seems like a perfect fit for the Cowboys, whose 4-3 defensive scheme places a premium on a tackle who can rush the passer.
Donald’s first step sets him apart. He’s being touted as the quickest defensive tackle in this year’s draft, but he also has deceptive power. The Cowboys met with Donald at the Senior Bowl. He has the speed to leave offensive linemen in their stance. Despite facing several double-teams last season, he finished with 11 sacks.
Mike Davis, Texas, WR.
Texas senior receiver Mike Davis says Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant is “like my big brother,” so he’d be a natural fit should he wear a star on his helmet next season. And the Cowboys probably will be in the market for another receiver. They’re expected to move on from Miles Austin to help free up salary-cap space by making him a post-June 1 cut. Davis (6- 01/4, 193) is sure-handed and a solid route runner but lacks size. He said he can play outside or in the slot in the NFL. Davis said he’s looking forward to the NFL scouting combine this month in Indianapolis.
“I feel like my 40 [time] will really shock people,” Davis said.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois, QB.
He’s been touted as the next Tony Romo - only he’s expected to be drafted. Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo broke all of the college’s passing records held by either Romo or New Orleans Saints coach Sean Peyton in finishing his career with more than 13,000 passing yards and 118 touchdowns. Garoppolo had a standout senior season as the top FCS quarterback, throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 53 touchdowns.
Garoppolo (6-2 1/4, 219) doesn’t have a huge arm, but scouts love his above-average understanding of offenses.
Dee Ford, Auburn, DE.
The Cowboys value speed along the defensive line, and a player who was quick to make an impression on Senior Bowl scouts was Auburn end Dee Ford. Ford was constantly in the backfield during practices and carried that over to the game. Ford used great closing speed to record two sacks and also knocked down a pass - all in the first half - to earn MVP honors for the South team. Ford (6-2, 243) helped Auburn reach the BCS national championship game. He led the Tigers with 10 1/2 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries and 14 1/2 tackles for loss. Ford could fit as an outside linebacker for some teams because he lacks size. But he wouldn’t have to bulk up much to be a good fit for the Cowboys in their 4-3 scheme.
Kareem Martin, North Carolina, DE.
North Carolina defensive end Kareem Martin showed at the Senior Bowl that he’s one of the best pass rushers in this year’s draft class. He’s projected to go in the first two rounds. Martin (6-6, 272) finished fifth in the nation with 21 1/2 tackles for loss last season and had 11 1/2 sacks in North Carolina’s 4-2-5 scheme. Martin had the second-biggest wingspan among Senior Bowl players at 84 1/4 inches. He said he’s versatile enough that he could also play outside linebacker but would feel more comfortable as an end in a 4-3 scheme because that’s the position he’s always played. Martin said he had a “good meeting” with Cowboys scouts at the Senior Bowl.