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2020 NFL Draft Second-Day Grades: “Jerry Jones is crushing this draft”

A review of the draft grades the Cowboys have received so far for their second-day picks.

COWBOYS Photo by Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

We quick look at some of the media grades that have come in so far for the Cowboys picks yesterday.

51. Dallas Cowboys - Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Grade: A+

The Cowboys get their second steal of the draft and fill a big need at cornerback in the wake of losing Byron Jones in free agency. Diggs offers good size (6-1, 205 pounds), strength and downfield speed. He shot up the board quickly during his big senior season (three interceptions in 12 games).

Andy Benoit, Sports Illustrated: Grade: A+

Right corner Byron Jones departed in free agency this year, and next year the Cowboys face losing left corner Chidobe Awuzie and/or slot/utility corner Jourdan Lewis, as both are finishing up their rookie deals. Don’t be surprised if Awuzie is retained and Lewis walks. But even if both return, an immediate and direct replacement for Jones is prudent, since it would allow Lewis to keep providing valuable, versatile depth on the back end. Diggs is a long-armed, physical corner and is stepping into a Mike Nolan-led scheme that, thanks to its expected emphasis on blitzing, will feature press-man on the outside. Dallas hit another home run in this draft, filling an important, specific need with a top-level talent at a later-than-expected draft slot.

WalterFootball.com: Grade: A+

Want to hear something crazy? Trevon Diggs was the Cowboys’ Plan B at No. 17 if K’Lavon Chaisson wasn’t available. Of course, CeeDee Lamb was, which bumped the Chaisson pick, but Diggs is still Dallas’. Diggs has an injury history, but that clearly didn’t bother the Cowboys, who selected Leighton Vander Esch in the first round despite his medical concerns. Diggs is a first-round talent, and he fills a need, so this is an A+ grade.

Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report: Grade: A

Diggs is technically sound and assignment-clean, makes adjustments on the fly and communicates well with fellow defenders, and has the athleticism to handle most matchups. He’s no size-speed marvel, and he’s a lunging tackler who can get shaken off by tougher ball-carriers, but the Cowboys can just drop Diggs into their secondary and not worry about him for the next few years.

So, the Cowboys significantly upgraded their receiving corps with CeeDee Lamb in the first round and then easily replaced Byron Jones with this pick. Jerry Jones is crushing this draft. Maybe we should all make our decisions on weird couches in the middle of creepy all-white rooms.

Eric Edholm, Yahoo: Grade: A-

The Cowboys are blowtorching the draft. Diggs was likely one of three or four options at No. 17, so for them to get him here is theft. Diggs’ consistency isn’t there yet, but he has a well-built and long frame and could be a really good player if he cleans up his sometimes sloppy technique. The practice battles vs. CeeDee Lamb will be fun to watch.

Chris Trapasso, CBSSports: Grade: B+

Diggs has dominant press man traits. Suffocating at the line because of his size and physical nature. Long speed is a question. As is his ability to find the ball. Good, not great twitch. Addressed big need for Dallas.

Stephen Ruiz, ForTheWin: Grade: B

Diggs was discussed as a potential first-round pick, which I didn’t understand. But Dallas is getting good value here. Diggs is a smart player with good instincts. He dropped because he’s not the most agile corner. That may not matter in the Cowboys’ zone-heavy defense, which will play to Diggs’ strengths.


NFC East Draft Grades 2020 - 2nd Round
Cowboys(51) Eagles(53) Giants(36) Redskins(--)
Sporting News A+ D A - -
SI.com A+ D B - -
Walter Football A+ What the hell
is this?
A+ - -
Bleacher Report A D- A - -
Yahoo A- C B+ - -
CBSSports B+ C+ A - -
ForTheWin B C B+ - -


82. Dallas Cowboys - Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Grade: A

The Cowboys go back to Oklahoma after getting CeeDee Lamb in the first round with another terrific value pick to address their need for increased depth in their defensive line rotation. Gallimore (6-2, 304 pounds) packs a powerful, relentless punch for his size.

Stephen Ruiz, ForTheWin: Grade: A

The Cowboys just keep adding value. Gallimore is a penetrator who shed some weight last year and unlocked some more pass-rushing ability. He fills a need, too.

Chris Trapasso, CBSSports: Grade: A

Gallimore is a disruptive one-gapper with a non-stop motor and a nice collection of pass-rush moves. Exactly what the Cowboys need in their defensive scheme.

Andy Benoit, Sports Illustrated: Grade: A-

Gallimore was yet another Cowboys selection whom many expected to be taken a lot higher. He is not a particularly large or long-limbed man, and so quickness and mechanics are key to his success. He showed those traits at Oklahoma; if he plays with more consistent leverage, he has a chance to be a contributing pass rusher.

Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report: Grade: B+

Gallimore is quick, fluid and agile, making him a high-impact defender on passing downs, and he’s a high-effort player who will run ball-carriers down from behind. However, his leverage, anchor and power all need a lot of work, and it’s hard to envision him as a 60-snap starter as an interior defender in the NFL.

Gallimore had an exceptional combine, and there are worse ideas than drafting a top athlete with a high motor and hoping he thickens out a bit. Gallimore could be effective right away in a 30-snap role.That’s all the Cowboys will need him for since they already have Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe in the middle of their defense.

Eric Edholm, Yahoo: Grade: B+

This might not be quite the steal some will make it out to be, but the Cowboys continue to hoover up great value picks — and at positions of need to boot. Gallimore plays with a relentless motor and made some shockingly athletic plays in college that guys his size normally do not. His technique can be a hot mess at times, but Gallimore is a perfect rotational guy who will light a fire under this unit.

WalterFootball.com: Grade: C

The Cowboys signed Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe this offseason to go along with last year's second-round pick, Trysten Hill, so I didn't think defensive tackle was much of a need. I get picking a defensive tackle here if one is a steal, but Neville Gallimore was pretty much a third-round prospect to begin with. Thus, I don't really like this pick, but I don't hate it either.


NFC East Draft Grades 2020 - 3rd Round
Cowboys(82) Eagles(103) Giants(99) Redskins(66)
Sporting News A C B B
CBSSports A A A C
ForTheWin A C- B+ A-
SI.com A- B A A-
Bleacher Report B+ B+ B B+
Yahoo B+ C B B-
Walter Football C D B+ D


Winners - Cowboys

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Day 2 grade and analysis: A

Dallas needed to replace Byron Jones, and Diggs is a battler on the outside who will not back down from any NFL receiver. Gallimore adds young depth on the defensive line. He can work his way past the shoulders of guards in sub packages while veteran free-agent signees Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe do the heavy lifting against the run in 2020.

Bryan DeArdo, CBSSports.com - Winner: Cowboys

Dallas enters the winners' circle for a second straight day. A day after watching receiver CeeDee Lamb fall to them with the 17th pick, the Cowboys were just as fortunate on Day 2. With the 51st pick, they were able to acquire former Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs, a Day 1 talent who helps the Cowboys fill the void left by Byron Jones' departure in free agency. Diggs could have easily been the team's first-round pick had Lamb not been available.

The Cowboys, who needed to address their defensive line, were then able to pick up former Oklahoma defensive Neville Gallimore, the fourth-ranked defensive lineman and the 36th-best prospect in the draft, according to CBS Sports. Both players should make an immediate impact for the Cowboys, who significantly improved their roster during the first two days of the draft.

Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com - Winner: Cowboys

The Cowboys staying true to their board: The Cowboys didn't need CeeDee Lamb on Thursday, but it would have been crazy to pass on his value in the first round when the talent wasn't there at more pressing positions like cornerback and the defensive line. Jerry Jones staying true to his process paid off Friday when cornerback Trevon Diggs fell to Dallas in the second round and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore fell into the third. There just isn't that big of a difference between Diggs and the rest of the cornerbacks taken outside the top 10, while Gallimore's intriguing skill set could have gone a lot earlier, too. The Cowboys picked up value and need.

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY - Winner: Cowboys

Credit Jerry Jones for knowing to strike when an impressive prospect falls in his lap. That's exactly what the Cowboys' shot-caller did Thursday in scooping up Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and he did the same Friday in securing Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs, who wouldn't have been out of place had he been the team's first-round pick. Oklahoma defensive tackle Neville Gallimore was worth the third-round flier as a developmental prospect capable of crashing the pocket.

Josh Schrock, NBCS Bay Area - Winner: Cowboys

CeeDee Lamb fell to the Cowboys in Round 1 and Jerry Jones looked like a pig in slop.

The 'Boys' luck continued Friday when Diggs fell to them in the second round and Oklahoma defensive tackle Neville Gallimore slid all the way to No. 82.

Diggs will replace the departed Byron Jones and Gallimore -- who is a freak athlete -- will make them forget all about Maliek Collins.

The NFC East is Dallas' to lose.

Matthew Valdovinos, ProFootballNetwork - Winner: Cowboys

The Cowboys came into Day 2 with three pressing needs in my eyes: defensive tackle, cornerback, and safety. They’ve already addressed both defensive tackle and cornerback with two players at great value. First, they selected Trevon Diggs with the 51st selection. Diggs is a high-upside corner with elite ball skills and a very strong frame to play on the boundary. Though not an elite athlete, Diggs has the requisite speed to carry a receiver up the field. His ball skills will be a massive bonus to a Dallas secondary that really doesn’t have any.

With their third-round selection, the Cowboys selected Oklahoma defensive tackle Neville Gallimore. At 82nd overall, the value is excellent for a player that was just outside my top-50. Gallimore has massive upside, and if utilized correctly, could be an 8-12 sack type of player. Dallas’ defensive line is one really good run defender away from being a strength of the team.

While their division rival Eagles were losers, the Cowboys are winners on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.

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