FRISCO, Texas – All through the pre-draft process, it feels like there are players you could be doing more work on.
The Cowboys' activity in undrafted free agency proves exactly why. On Saturday night, they signed seven different free agents with draftable grades on their board – which should provide even more competition on the roster when this group reports to training camp.
To familiarize myself – and you – with the newcomers, I'll be brushing up on my tape and writing reports on these guys over the next few days.
My reporters continue with a pair of defensive tackles – including one the front office had a solid draft grade on.
Name: Daniel Wise
Position: DT
College: Kansas
Height/Weight: 6'3/279
Scouting Report:
- The first thing you notice is he plays with some initial quickness.
- He has some pop at the point of attack. He can work his way through the gap, and that quickness makes him hard to block one-on-one.
- There's some violence to his game.
- I'd like to see him use his hands more.
- He plays with power. When he does use his hands, he can control his blocker. This guy has brute strength, and he can use it as both a pass rusher and a run defender. That said, he needs to develop some more pass rush moves.
- You see the motor with this guy. There is outstanding effort to finish, but there are times where he will fall off tackles. He has power to split the double-team.
- Some late bend. Moves and runs well. Will run down plays. Chases plays all over the field.
Name: Ricky Walker
Position: DT
College: Virginia Tech
Height/Weight: 6'2/284
Scouting Report:
- The thing to note about Walker is that he always keeps working off the line.
- That said, he doesn't play with much of a burst or quickness to close. He gets in space and is stuck in neutral.
- He has a nice awareness of where the football is. Plays with intelligence.
- Tends to get stuck on blocks. You can see he has a hard time consistently separating.
- His best moments are when he can make plays on the move.
- Shows some occasional power at the point, but there are also snaps where he gets washed out of the play.
- He is able to play off the low block and work down the line.
- Better player when he can play in a small area. Not going to give you much as a pass rusher.
- Tries to get by with power/effort only.
