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Cowboys 2016 Draft: 9 Late-Round Prospects That Have Been Linked To Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys have shown interest in these late-round NFL draft prospects.

By Ryan Ratty
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The last compilation of the draft target series is the late-round additions. One thing that's for sure is that the Cowboys are excellent at finding talent where others haven't or where others couldn't develop. That's why the Cowboys have so many undrafted guys on this roster that have made impacts in the past.

Potential Late-Round Additions

This list compiles players that will likely be drafted on Day 3 in the 2016 NFL Draft. These players aren't necessarily seen as the players who will shape a franchise, but they are guys who will be relied upon in case of injury or for depth purposes. There aren't any sexy names on this list, but the logic behind late-round guys is that it's pretty much throwing darts at a board and hoping you get lucky. However, this list proves that the Cowboys have been doing their research on the little-known guys for awhile, on top of just the candidates for their early picks.

A.J. Williams, Tight End, Michigan

Despite drafting a run-blocking tight end in Geoff Swaim at the end of last year's draft, the Cowboys reportedly have interest in A.J. Williams out of Michigan. It's no secret that Dallas loves their running game. A big part of the blocking stems from the tight ends and what they can do on the edge. At 6'5, 270 pounds, Williams has been really only a blocking guy, but the Cowboys could add him in the seventh round or even get him as an undrafted guy if they're lucky.

Source/Chatter:

"One non-combine tight end prospect that's always intrigued me is Michigan's A.J. Williams. The senior was not rated by teams entering the season but has garnered a lot of interest from both the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys recently. Williams has offensive tackle size at 6-feet/5-inches and almost 270-pounds but moves well about the field and is a solid short range passing catching target. Expect him to time in the 4.8's during Michigan pro-day and though Williams may not be selected in the draft, he'll have an opportunity next season as a third tight end brought onto the field during short yardage situations or in the red zone." - Tony Pauline

Williams has drawn interest from the Cowboys, according to DraftInsider.net's Tony Pauline.

Miles Killebrew, Safety, Southern Utah

Oddly enough, Southern Utah has three prospects that will be on an NFL roster in the fall. One of those guys is Miles Killebrew. Watching Killebrew on film, one thing for sure is that he's a massive safety. Judging by their interest in Killebrew as well as their interest in Darian Thompson, the Cowboys clearly know what they want in a safety: a big, thumping safety who can play in the box and dictate the middle of the field.

Source/Chatter:

"The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Killebrew is ridiculously athletic, having been clocked with a 4.45 forty. An NFL scout told NFL.com during the season that Killebrew is "a better football player than Shaq Thompson and Deone Bucannon were when they came out." - Rotoworld

Willie Beavers, Offensive Tackle, Western Michigan

The Cowboys coached Willie Beavers at the Senior Bowl. Interestingly enough, the Cowboys only picked a handful of players to interview in-depth at the Senior Bowl and one of those guys was Beavers. With Tyron Smith locked up and Doug Free seeming to be the starter at right tackle at least for the next two seasons, the desire for Beavers is a bit odd. To make matters more questionable, the Cowboys added Chaz Green in the third round of last year's draft. The only conclusion I can draw here is the Cowboys like Beavers as a swing tackle, but they also just brought back Charles Brown.

Source/Chatter:

The Cowboys had an interview with Beavers after the Senior Bowl.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Offensive Tackle, TCU

Talk about the hardest name to pronounce in this year's draft class, Vaitai is a local product that the Cowboys have already shown preliminary interest in. Continuing with that interest, Vaitai will likely be a Dallas Day product given that he's a local product.

Source/Chatter:

James Bradberry, Cornerback, Samford

The Cowboys met with Bradberry at the Senior Bowl and there's a reason why. He fits the Cowboys' defensive scheme and he's a rangy, long cornerback who wins with length and athleticism. Bradberry's adjustment to the NFL will affect his immediate impact, but there are tools to be developed that can make him into a starting cornerback one day.

Source/Chatter:

Tavon Young, Cornerback, Temple

In terms of speed, there may not be a quicker player at the position than Tavon Young. A high school track star on top of football, Young came to Temple without knowing what his position would be. After all, he's a 5' 9" cornerback who only weighs 180 pounds. Young is a fun guy to watch on the inside, however.

Source/Chatter:

"Plays bigger and more physically than his listed height/weight. Drives through receivers with force at the point of the catch and can jar the ball free. Plays with winning ball skills." - Lance Zierlein

Temple CB Tavon Young here talking with the Cowboys. Second CB I've seen them with — Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 25, 2016

D.J. Foster, Wide Receiver/Running Back/Offensive Weapon, Arizona State

A running back turned wide receiver, D.J. Foster is a guy that can add another element to an NFL offense. I'm not saying he's the next Randall Cobb, but he did draw beaming comparisons to Jeremy Kerley, which is still a very good compliment. Drafting Foster would signal the end of Lance Dunbar in Dallas. I'm been a big advocate of the offensive weapon wrinkle to the Cowboys' offense. By adding someone like Foster, they would be doing just that. It should also be worth mentioning that the Cowboys coached Foster at the Senior Bowl.

Source/Chatter:

The Cowboys had an interview with Foster after the Senior Bowl.

Tyrone Holmes, Defensive End, Montana

Montana seems to produce decent pass rushers each year. Tyrone Holmes is the next of that group. Unfortunately, Holmes didn't get an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine, but that doesn't eliminate him from the middle rounds on people's draft boards. He's got excellent speed off the edge

Source/Chatter:

"He’s a slug it out lineman that finds ways to make plays and offers possibilities as a situational pass rusher." - Tony Pauline

The Cowboys had an interview with Holmes after the East-West Shrine Game.

Romeo Okwara, Defensive End, Notre Dame

Whenever I evaluate defensive ends for the Cowboys, I first look at two things: height and weight. I know it sounds very elementary, but the Cowboys like a specific type of defensive end. 6'4, 270 pounds seems to be the height and weight combination the Cowboys look for. Okwara is a guy the Cowboys have had their eye on for quite some time now. From watching some tape on Okwara, I love his ability to latch onto opposing lineman and then use his arms to throw them out of the way and make stops at the line of scrimmage.

Source/Chatter:

""Big edge player who looks great on the hoof, but who is extremely stiff and mechanical in his movements. Okwara is missing the quickness to be an NFL pass rusher while being a block magnet in the running game. Unless he finds a way to unleash his natural power and have it translate to production on the field, making a roster will be exceptionally difficult." - Lance Zierlein

The Cowboys had an interview with Okwara after the East-West Shrine Game.

Disclaimer: If there are players I'm missing, leave a comment with the name and the source and I'd be glad to add them into this list. Thanks for reading!

Follow me on Twitter: RyanRattyNFL

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