Dallas Cowboys 2020 NFL Scouting Combine preview: QB, WR, and TE edition

It’s here. The on-the-field portion of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is finally here, and it’ll kick off with the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends as the first group for workouts and positional drills in front of all 32 teams, and tons of media members. Thursday’s group will give us a look at Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Jalen Reagor, Denzel Mims, Adam Trautman, Hunter Bryant, and many more. But let’s take a look at some of the prospects who fit the Cowboys needs, who could be potential targets for Dallas in the 2020 NFL draft.

Henry Ruggs III - Alabama - WR - 5-11” - 188 lbs

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Henry Ruggs III is entering the draft in an absolutely loaded wide receiver draft class. In most years, Ruggs would be looked at as one of the top players at his position, but in a class that also holds Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb, Ruggs is slated to be the third best receiver in his draft class. He has one thing no one else in this draft class, other than Jalen Reagor, can compare to, and that’s his speed. Ruggs has a great shot at running the fastest 40-yard dash ever recorded at the combine by breaking John Ross’ record at 4.22 seconds. He is coming out of Alabama with average production, but the tape shows a developed route runner with strong hands, dynamic after the catch ability, and incredible traits at the position. If the Cowboys are interested in Henry Ruggs III, they’ll have to use the 17th overall pick on the former Crimson Tide wideout, and even then, it’s not a given that he’ll make it to them.

Jalen Reagor - TCU - WR - 5-10 5/8” - 206 lbs

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Speed, speed, speed, and even more speed. Reagor isn’t quite as developed as the top three or four guys at the position in this years class, but he’s absolutely one of the best athletes at the position. Reagor is going to test off the charts in all drills at the combine, and could push Henry Ruggs for the fastest 40-yard dash at this years combine. Coming out of TCU, Reagor is known for his deep-threat skills as an outside receiver, and developed his route-tree at TCU over the course of his junior season. He has some areas of his game that need improvement, but if the Cowboys look to trade back in the first round, or possibly even up in the second, Jalen Reagor could be a receiver the team would look to target.

Brandon Aiyuk - Arizona State - WR - 5-11 5/8” - 205 lbs

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If you’re looking for dynamic athletes at the wide receiver position, the 2020 wide receiver draft class is for you. Brandon Aiyuk is another freak athlete at the position known for his long-speed, change of directions abilities, and or ability to make defenders look silly after the catch. Aiyuk will again be in the top-tier of athletes in the 40-time, and expect him to be near the top of the list in the three-cone, vertical, and broad-jump category. While he isn’t talked about in the top tier of receivers, Aiyuk is one of the best receivers in this draft class, and after having a top performance in Indianapolis he could be on the rise as we head into the home-stretch of draft season. In a perfect world, Aiyuk could be an awesome consolation prize at 51st overall to Henry Ruggs III or Jalen Reagor, providing a similar skill-set at a lesser cost for the Cowboys.

Denzel Mims - Baylor - WR - 6-2 7/8” - 207 lbs

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One of the biggest risers over the draft season has been Baylor’s Denzel Mims. From the Reese’s Senior Bowl, to the combine weigh-ins, to the athletic testing on Thursday, expect Mims to be drafted much higher in April than most draft analysts have talked about this offseason. Like Henry Ruggs and Jalen Reagor, Mims showcased excellent long-speed at Baylor and should have a very good 40-time for an almost 6’3” 207 lb receiver. Along with his long-speed, Mims has some of the best high-pointing skills in this class and should do very well with his vertical and broad-jumps. One area he may not test overly well in is the three-cone drill. Mims did have some issues changing directions at Baylor, which is normal for a receiver of his build. All-in-all, Mims is a guy who should be on the Cowboys radar as a potential day-two addition to the Cowboys receiving room.

Devin Duvernay - Texas - WR - 5-10 4/8” - 200 lbs

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What Devin Duvernay lacks as a route-runner, he makes up for with his long-speed, ball tracking skills, and explosiveness after the catch. A former track star in high school, Duvernay is elite long-speed at the position and is known for his vertical receiving game in the Texas offense. He will certainly have a successful day running the 40-yard dash, and should perform well in the vertical and long-jumps due to his lower body explosiveness. Duvernay is likely a day three target that will get drafted to take the top off of defenses at the next level.

Adam Trautman - TE - Dayton - 6-5” - 255 lbs

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In a tight end class lacking top-end talent, Adam Trautman has rounded out as my TE1 on my current big board. At Dayton, Trautman always was the best, biggest, and one of the most athletic players on the field. He then took his skills to Mobile, for the Senior Bowl and was the best tight end there as well. Trautman can solidify himself as the best tight end in this draft class with a good day in Indianapolis. While tight end may not be a pressing need for the Cowboys with Blake Jarwin showing plenty of ability, Trautman would be an excellent day two addition if the board falls the Cowboys way.

Stephen Sullivan - LSU - TE - 6-4 7/8” - 248 lbs

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One of my favorite day three tight end targets in this years draft class is LSU’s Stephen Sullivan. Sullivan’s overall athleticism pops off the tape at LSU, and he’ll have the chance today to prove to be the groups most athletic tight end prospect. Along with impressive athleticism, Sullivan has the freakiest physical traits at the position with 10 1/8” hands, 35 3/8” arms, and 85” wing-span. Sullivan didn’t have great production in LSU’s star-studded offense, but could easily end up having a better NFL career than he did in college. In a class that lacks top-end tight end talent, testing off the charts will help separate Sullivan from some of the other middle-tier tight end prospects.

Not Performing: K.J. Hamler, Penn State, WR