Cowboys 2020 Draft: Dallas is doing “research” on Alabama EDGE Terrell Lewis

The 2020 NFL Draft is just over one week away. You read that right. After months and months of speculating, grinding film, reading mock drafts, and so-on, we are almost to the point of hearing Roger Goodell announcing each draft selection from his basement.

Many are trying to pinpoint what the Cowboys will do come draft weekend. Will they take the best available player on the board in the first-round, or are they dead set on filling a position of need — likely pass rusher or defensive back — with their first selection? There is always a possibility that a player that is no expected to fall makes it to the Cowboys pick, or that they decide to trade back and add more picks.

What we do know is that the Cowboys have been hosting virtual interviews with several different prospects — some with players that we expect the Cowboys to consider like K’Lavon Chaisson and C.J. Henderson and some with prospects that will more than likely not be taken by Dallas like D’Andre Swift and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

One team that the Cowboys have paid close attention to over the last month or so is Alabama. Dallas has virtually met with the Crimson Tide’s wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, cornerback Trevon Diggs, and defensive tackle Rakewon Davis.

Another prospect that they are reportedly doing its homework on is Alabama pass rusher Terrell Lewis, according to the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson.

Wilson writes that the Cowboys, along with the New England Patriots, are “doing a ton of research” on the Alabama product.

The Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots have been doing a ton of research on Lewis, getting in contact with his high school and college coaches.

Lewis is an interesting player that has shown flashes of being a very good player, but he has struggled to stay on the football field because of injury. First, Lewis suffered an elbow injury in the 2017 season opener against Florida State that cost him the majority of that season. Then, he tore his ACL prior to the 2018 season.

The former five-star recruit was finally able to showcase his abilities on the gridiron during his 2019 campaign, as Lewis made 31 tackles, recorded 11.5 stops for a loss, and got to the quarterback six times. As a result, the D.C. native earned second-team All-SEC honors from the conference’s coaches.

While Lewis does have a scary injury history that may cause some teams to pause, his talent should not be questioned. SB Nation’s Stephen White wrote a great piece on how good Lewis can be in the NFL — if, of course, he is able to stay healthy.

In addition to being pretty much the perfect size for an edge rusher, Lewis also possesses uncommon athletic ability. That is evidenced by Alabama using him in so many different ways. He lined up on the edge and rushed the passer, and he dropped back into coverage quite a bit as well.

Nick Saban and his staff at Alabama found different ways to best utilize their talented defender. Where Lewis really excels, though, is getting after the quarterback. SEC offenses struggled to block Lewis, and he routinely created havoc in the backfield.

Interestingly enough, Dane Brugler has the Cowboys drafting Lewis with the 51st pick in his latest seven-round mock draft. Brugler sees Dallas adding a corner in round one before getting their pass rusher with their second selection.

The Cowboys certainly have a need at EDGE. Robert Quinn signed a big deal with the Bears after turning in a productive 2019 season with the Cowboys. Dallas is hoping to get Randy Gregory back, while the team also signed Aldon Smith to a one-year deal. There is no guarantee that either Gregory or Smith are able to make a real impact for the Cowboys, though.

K’Lavon Chaisson is the hot name when talking about the Cowboys. The LSU product has been mentioned as the second best EDGE in the class behind Chase Young. While Chaisson would be a great pick for Dallas, it just so happens that the Atlanta Falcons — who are also in need of somebody that can get after the quarterback — pick just before the Cowboys.

With rumors swirling that corner C.J. Henderson — a corner that has been linked to both the Cowboys and Falcons — could go in the top-10, will Atlanta have its eyes on Chaisson? That happens to be the pick for Dan Quinn’s squad in Brugler’s mock.

The Falcons break the Cowboys heart because Chaisson is who Dallas wants.

If Chaisson is off the board when the Cowboys make their selection, targeting Lewis in round two would be very smart. The impressive EDGE possesses elite size at 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds with 33 7/8 inch arms — all of which are 93 percentile or better on mockdraftable.

Additionally, Lewis recorded a 124 inch broad jump (88 percentile) and a 37 inch vertical jump (82 percentile).

Terrell Lewis is certainly a name to remember as we creep closer and closer to the draft. The Cowboys are doing their homework on the Alabama prospect, and Lewis has the talent to be successful as a pro.