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The Dallas Cowboys have a plethora of position groups they will need to address this offseaon, but none may be more pressing than the cornerback spot. Dallas has two free agent cornerbacks, Anthony Brown and former All-Pro Byron Jones. As the days go by, it seems more and more likely that Jones will be suiting up for another team in 2020. If Jones and Brown both did depart in free agency, Dallas would be left with Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and not much else at corner....not ideal.
Thus, adding some talent at cornerback will likely be at the forefront of their offseason plans, and the draft may be the perfect spot to do so. After previewing Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene earlier in the week, today we preview a player from his rival school, Alabam CB Trevon Diggs.
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Name: Trevon Diggs
School: Alabama
Height: 6-2
Weight: 207
Position: CB
Class: Senior
Strengths: When you look at Trevon Diggs, you can see he has almost an ideal body for an NFL starting cornerback. He has long arms and legs, stands 6-2 inches tall, and combos that with pretty solid athleticism. Diggs actually was a two-way player in his first year at Alabama, playing wide receiver and defensive back. Diggs uses that prototype body of his to be very physical in the pass game. His balls skills are more of a strength than a weakness. When he is able to get his head around on time, he is very aggressive going to get the football, which his excellent length helps with greatly. He recorded three interceptions in his final season at Alabama to go with eight PBU’s. Diggs has very impressive speed, especially for some of his height. He is able to keep up consistently with top-speed receivers down the field. Diggs played both inside and outside at Alabama, so he has the versatility to line up in either role. Solid in zone coverage. Very impressive ability in zone to break on the football and make a play.
Weaknesses: Sometimes Diggs can be almost too physical in press-man coverage. Saw multiple plays where he was so aggressive and overextended at the line leading to him getting beat down the field. Really didn’t add much of anything at Alabama in run support. Did not seem overly interested in making aggressive tackles against the run game. Overall tackling versus the run and pass is likely his biggest weakness. Can struggle finding the ball with his back to the line of scrimmage.
Overall Summary: All in all, it’s unlikely Trevon Diggs and the Dallas Cowboys will find their way to each other come April. The Cowboys are likely going to need to take a cornerback early in the draft, potentially even with their first-round pick. Pick 17 would be far too rich for Diggs, but he could be an intriguing option if Dallas was to trade back in the first round. It’s a stretch to think that Diggs would be available for Dallas at pick 51, so if they want him he likely will have to be their first-round selection. Watching him play there are plenty of things to get excited about, and his body screams the perfect NFL cornerback prototype, but I am not sold on Diggs being worth a first-round selection. When it is all said and done he should fall somewhere between picks 32-45, which is likely where he belongs.
Round Grade: 2
The good and the bad:
This is an awesome play from Trevon Diggs. Tape study/instincts on display, for sure.
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) December 14, 2019
He passes off the route crossing his face that picks the LB chasing the RB on a wheel route and seamlessly puts himself in a position for the INT.
Oh, and he returns it for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/El1Y1OkLlM
Bryan Edwards - winning off the line with technique against one of top NFL Draft CB prospects Trevon Diggs.
— Ray G (@RayGQue) January 16, 2020
Then doing it again vs. tight coverage. He’s very very good. So underrated.
1. Release
2. Stack
3. Manipulate
4. Separate pic.twitter.com/7mzfkoB5QQ
It was called back, but this is one hell of a zone read and play on the ball by Trevon Diggs. Absolutely tricked Burrow into making this throw. pic.twitter.com/5GEhep53dR
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL) January 16, 2020
Trevon Diggs gets extremely physical with Chase at the line here, but Chase shakes him off for a huge gain.@eric_crocker, you watch Diggs at all yet? He seems to overextend on this one. pic.twitter.com/30kJ7ZJSk9
— Joshua Gleason (@JGleas) January 23, 2020
Trevon Diggs in man to man coverage pic.twitter.com/gXR6u22HjJ
— Alexandre Castro (@alexcastrofilho) November 11, 2019