Cowboys 2020 Draft: SMU receiver James Proche’s “best hands” would be an ideal fit for Dak Prescott

There is a lot of speculation that the Dallas Cowboys would pass on one of the “big three” wide receivers — Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and the two out of Alabama, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III — if any of them made it to pick 17. It is unlikely that any of the top three receivers in the class make it to the Cowboys pick, but would they really pass on adding an elite talent to the offense?

Having the duo of Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup already on the roster means that the position is not necessarily a dire need that must be addressed immediately, but Dallas needs to add a third wideout to pair alongside Coop and Gallup. There is some hope surrounding Cedrick Wilson, but can you put all of your eggs in that basket?

On the topic of receivers, an issue that plagued the Dallas Cowboys all season was drops. Whether it was a dropped ball in a big game on a critical down, or a drop in an easy win over the Dolphins, the Cowboys struggled to hold on to the football during the 2019 season. QB Data Mine’s numbers say that the Dak Prescott’s receivers had the most incompletions on accurate passes — the most in the NFL last season.

Therefore, adding a receiver that can hold on to the football for Prescott should be a priority for Dallas in the draft. Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup are able to make up for their drops with explosive plays, but adding a reliable receiver for Prescott to go to would be smart.

Assuming that Dallas ignores the position through at least the first two rounds of the draft, the third and fourth round would be a good place to target. This class is deep with options in nearly every round of the draft. Speed, possession, big, small, slot — this class has it all.

SMU’s James Proche would be a smart receiver to target in the middle rounds of the draft.

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The Cowboys should be looking for two specific traits in a wide receiver in this year’s draft class: hands and separation. Proche, a DeSoto, Texas, native and a SMU product possesses both, making him a good fit for the Cowboys should be looking for later this week.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler describes Proche as a receiver with “sticky hands and impressive catch point skills”, while The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs notes that “he’s had some awesome concentration grabs” and that Proche is “one of the more sure-handed WRs in the class”.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah believes that the local product has the best hands in the entire 2020 draft class.

If you are sensing a theme, it is that Proche is a sure-handed receiver that would bring a much-needed element to the Cowboys passing attack. Prescott needs a slot receiver to go to on important downs that he will trust to come down with the football, much like Cole Beasley.

Our own Michael Sisemore wrote a piece on that the Cowboys’ fourth-round pick would be a good spot for Dallas to target a receiver. Sisemore included four options for the Cowboys to consider, including Proche.

Proche leaves the Mustangs as the all-time leading receiver and what he lacks in size, he makes up for with impressive playmaking ability. He’s not the most proficient route runner but has continued to grow in that area. What Proche delivers to an NFL roster is a relentless competitor with outstanding hands and ball skills. Proche is a working man’s receiver who is never satisfied with a performance and he’s always looking for more. Maybe his limitations in size will keep him as a slot receiver but the ceiling for him is extremely high.

Proche is an ideal fit in the Cowboys offense, as he would be a reliable target for Dak Prescott in the slot. The former SMU receiver will not win a footrace or create too many explosive plays, but he has strong hands and has been a quarterback’s best friend throughout his playing career.

With the assumption that the Cowboys do not add a receiver early, James Proche would be an ideal prospect to target in the middle of the draft.