Cowboys 2011 Draft: Prince Amukamara As A Free Safety?

I ran across a good article about the Dallas Cowboys and their possible draft strategies that I wanted to share with you guys. Why is it a good article? Because the guy being interviewed agrees with me! I kid, but it is a nice Q&A with Dane Brugler, who is a draft guy that lives in Dallas and worked on the committee that brought the Super Bowl to Dallas.

The part he agrees with me on is where he lists the Cowboys primary needs in the draft. Specifically, cornerback, offensive tackle and defensive end. That's been my thinking for a while, although I would stretch cornerback into a general secondary category given my thoughts about safety. With Gerald Sensabaugh being allowed to test free agency and my misgivings about Alan Ball starting at free safety, I think the Cowboys could go either way (cornerback or safety). The problem is there isn't a safety I'd want to jump on with the #9 pick.

But what if you could get both in one?

More below...

Obviously the player would eventually have to settle at one position or the other, but having a guy capable of playing both positions at a high level would be a nice bonus.

And that player, according to Brugler, is available in this draft and is a guy that many mocks have the Cowboys selecting. Prince Amukamara out of Nebraska.

From the Q&A:

A lot of mock drafts have Prince Amukamara going to the Cowboys with the No. 9 pick. Experts have also been saying he could project as a safety in the NFL as well as a cornerback. How do you see him being used?

To be honest with you, I think his best long-term position will be at free safety. He’s such a physical hitter that plays well in press coverage. It’ll be interesting to see what he runs in the 40. He works out later this afternoon and if he runs in the 4.5 range, then maybe you think a free safety might be the best fit for him. But, you have to try him at cornerback: the fluid hips; the footwork; the technique; it’s all there. So, you try him at cornerback and then if you move him to free safety down the line, then that’s where you move him but he’s going to get his chance at cornerback and I think he’ll do well. He’s NFL-ready right now; he’ll step in and he’ll start from day one as soon as gets to the NFL.

Interesting. Brugler also goes on to say that Amukamara is an excellent tackler out of the secondary. Recently, Rob Ryan mentioned that his secondary players need to be good tacklers, there's no room for cowards on his defense. Amukamara seems to fit the profile.

Thoughts, BTBers?