(Editor's Note: With less than one month until the start of the 2017 NFL Draft on April 27, the staff of DallasCowboys.com intends to preview the landscape of possible Cowboys draft picks – from the first round to the last. Today's featured player is Iowa's Desmond King.)
Name: Desmond King
Position: Cornerback/Safety
College: Iowa
Height/Weight: 5-11 / 205
Honors:King not only took home unanimous first-team All-Big 10 first-team honors but was the winner of the 2015 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back.
Key stat: In 2015, King made sure to get his hands on the ball quite often, picking off a Big 10-leading eight interceptions to go along with 13 pass breakups.
Where He's Projected: Because of his position flex, which can be good and bad for a corner, King is all over the map here. He's been as high as a late first where the Cowboys could go after him at the 28th spot. He might drop down into the second round or lower. Because he's played both safety and corner, it could cause players slide depending on team's needs. Others might covet the flexibility, such as the Cowboys got with Byron Jones, who played cornerback and is now at safety.
How He Helps the Cowboys: Like any defensive back who is ready to play, King would help the Cowboys in numbers. They only have four experienced corners on the roster and can't say the same about safety. King would help because the Cowboys aren't sure what they're going to do at either spot. Taking a player like that would help them make decisions in other areas. As a player, King knows how to get the ball and that is something this team has lacked, regardless if it's safety or cornerback.
Scout's Take: Outstanding competitor. Physically tough. Not afraid of contact at all. Doesn't have great speed or quickness. Limited burst. Will set the edge. Wrap up tackler. Controlled pedal. Will plant and drive out of his break. Good body control and balance. Outstanding playing strength. Does a nice job of playing with his hands. Can control the receiver off the line. Plays best in the press. Matches up well against size but not as well against speed. Able to key and diagnose when reading routes. Outstanding durability and effort. Puts himself in position to break up passes. Will knock the ball loose from carrier. Plays with an edge - not afraid to take a shot after the whistle. Would consider playing him at safety due to his lack of foot speed.
-Bryan Broaddus
