Dallas Cowboys: Is Jalen Ramsey is the best choice?
It is no secret the Dallas Cowboys have a prime draft choice this year as they hold the No. 4 overall selection. Will they choose to go defense, and if so, will they select possibly the best defensive back eligible?
The more I think about it, the more I believe that Florida State defensive back draft prospect Jalen Ramsey could be the best choice for any team in the 2016 NFL Draft, and that includes the Dallas Cowboys, who hold the fourth overall selection.
In a recent mock draft I compiled, I had the Cowboys selecting Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa with that fourth overall selection, but one reason I have that selection occurring is I believe he’s the best defensive end in the draft, a need for the Cowboys with his pass rush abilities.
Another reason I had the Cowboys select Bosa fourth overall is I don’t believe Ramsey will make it to the Cowboys, as he deserves to be drafted in the Top 3 of this draft, possibly even first overall.
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Let’s say for conversation’s sake Bosa is selected by either the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns or the San Diego Chargers with one of the first three picks in this draft. That leaves Ramsey there for the taking for the Cowboys at No. 4 overall.
Being that he can play cornerback or free safety in the NFL, the Cowboys could really use his presence on their defense, especially with their defensive backfield, as in all honesty the only long-term option they have is safety (and possibly cornerback) Byron Jones, last year’s first-round selection.
Draft Breakdown has a film on Ramsey against North Carolina State to give an idea of his abilities on a football field:
The Cowboys do have some depth at the safety/cornerback position, but is Ramsey just too much of a talent to not select if available fourth overall?
As Pro Football Focus wrote this week, if the Cowboys were to draft Ramsey and use him as a safety, they could take Jones and let him play his natural spot on a football field, that being cornerback. Let’s think about that … they could become one of the best young defensive back duos in all of the NFL if that were to occur.
Jeff Dooley of PFF wrote this of Ramsey possibly landing with the Cowboys:
"“Dallas could draft Ramsey – a more talented version of Jones who graded out considerably higher than Jones did in college – and do the same thing, accomplishing two positive outcomes: 1.) It allows Ramsey more freedom to make plays and shortens his rookie learning curve …”"
Standing at 6-1 and weighing 209 pounds, Ramsey had some quality numbers at the NFL Combine this year, with a 4.41 second 40-yard dash, a 41.5 inch vertical jump and a 135.0 inch broad jump. There was also his 6.94 three-cone drill time and a 4.18 20-yard shuttle run time.
Maybe what draws me more and more to Ramsey as the draft nears is just his overall athletic ability, plus with the Philadelphia Eagles improving with the signing of Rueben Randle to their wide receiver roster (while already having Jordan Matthews), the New York Giants having Odell Beckham Jr. and the Washington Redskins with DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, the Cowboys better make sure their defensive backfield is solid.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compares Ramsey to Oakland Raiders quarterback Sean Smith, who Pro Football Focus grades at 83.8 overall in ’15 with an 82.1 coverage grade in 644 pass snaps.
"“Ramsey made more plays on the ball from the slot last year, but his ability to jam and trail receivers limited playmaking opportunities this year. Ramsey has all-pro potential and traits, but could use a little more bravado and attitude play in and play out.”"
Ramsey was an All-American last season, playing in 13 games for FSU, where he totaled 52 tackles (3.5 for a loss), one sack, nine passes defensed and one fumble recovery. In his three collegiate seasons, Ramsey collected 181 total tackles (122 solo), with 15.5 of those going for a loss. He also had five sacks in his career and three interceptions. In all, Ramsey had 22 passes defensed and four forced fumbles during his tenure with FSU.
With all of that said, even though there are mentions where some scouts think Ramsey is a bit “overrated,” he’s just too good to pass on if he’s still available with the fourth overall selection. (By the way, I don’t believe he’s overrated).
Each year, the Cowboys’ defensive backfield just doesn’t live up to expectations, and even though last year was a really nice start with the addition of Jones to the roster, more needs to be done to make this defensive backfield one of the best in the entire league.
If the Cowboys want to win the NFC and break their 20-year drought of not reaching the Super Bowl, a stout defensive back field (along with a solid pass rush, of course) will have to be front and center for not just this upcoming season, but in future seasons as well.
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Don’t get me wrong, I believe Bosa will be a very good pass rusher in the NFL, and even UCLA outside linebacker Myles Jack would be a great selection at fourth overall as well, but if the Cowboys want to wait until the second round to add to their pass rush, the addition of Ramsey to the defensive backfield is something that would also make an instant impact to the defense as well.
That’s something they really need to happen for the ’16 season … an instant impact on the defensive side of the football.
With all the choices in front of the Cowboys at the No. 4 overall spot, it will be very tough for them to mess this up, so to speak, but the best choice for their team right now, especially with their “bad luck” at adding to the defensive backfield during free agency, is to draft Ramsey if available and see what happens from there.