Cowboys 2021 third-round pick impresses in rookie minicamp

There was no pick criticized more in the 2021 NFL Draft than the 99th overall pick by the Cowboys, selecting Nahshon Wright out of Oregon State.

As most draft analysts viewed Wright as a late day-three prospect, you can imagine the negative pushback the Cowboys received after turning in the card. But according to Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan, Wright was one of the most impressive players in Cowboys rookie minicamp.

On Monday’s episode of GBag Nation, Broaddus said that out of all the rookie defensive backs, Nahshon Wright stood out the most in a positive way over the weekend. Broaddus mentioned Wright’s length, the ability from both press-man, and off-man, and how impressed he was regarding his shape for it being so early in the offseason. He also mentioned an impressive interception in team drills, showing great anticipation and ball skills to break on the ball, and under-cut a route for the pick. Broaddus wasn’t the only one impressed by the interception, as multiple beat reporters tweeted about the play after practice.

The Cowboys obviously saw much that they liked from Wright before the draft that other teams and analysts didn’t see. Will McClay recently spelled out what they liked.

Nahshon Wright, Round 3 (99), cornerback: “One of the things you talk about when comparing players is, ‘Name me another one, a 6-foot-4 corner.’ There’s only been a couple. ... The No. 1 thing is the way he competed. The other thing was he’s a former receiver. You won’t get turnovers miraculously. People have to have that ball instinct. Being a receiver first, you know that he knows how to catch the ball. Then there’s his competitiveness at 6-4, 185 pounds. We know he needs some strength developed, but he competed. One thing you look for is how comfortable they are in press [coverage]. To do that, you have to have knee bend, ankle flex. You’ve got to be able to sink your hips. It’s harder for 6-4 people, but he does it naturally. And when you’re that tall as a press corner, it kind of diminishes the margin of error for the offense. The quarterback has to throw over a larger target and then if that guy can locate and find the ball, you have an opportunity to take it away. We feel like he can do that.”

It’s hard to take much from rookie minicamp, but it’s nice to see Wright making plays and showing up in shape early on in the offseason. While the Wright pick may not have been a fan favorite (he wasn’t for me), everyone should be glad to eat their words if Nahshon Wright turns into a player on this defense.

It’s early, but these are steps in the right direction to serve plenty of us with crow.

What are our thoughts on the Cowboys rookies through their first minicamp? We break them down in the latest video on the Blogging The Boys YouTube Channel. Make sure to subscribe to it right here!