After detailing the most impressive NFL combine performances from offensive players last week, it’s time to turn our attention to the defensive side of the ball to begin this week.

As things stand now, a defensive-heavy draft wouldn’t surprise anyone based on the sheer volume of needs on that side of the ball. Not only will the Cowboys need to find some starting quality defenders at a couple of positions, but they also need to add more depth to several more.

With that in mind, let’s dive into some of the potential Cowboys targets on defense who impressed at the NFL combine. Therefore, even though a defender such as Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons had a phenomenal performance, he won’t be available when the Cowboys pick, excluding him from the list.

Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M

One of the biggest winners at the NFL combine on Saturday was Texas A&M’s Justin Madubuike, who also happened to interview with the Cowboys while in Indianapolis.

Coming into the combine, Madubuike’s draft stock trended closely with TCU’s Ross Blaylock and Oklahoma’s Neville Gallimore in the second tier of defensive tackles behind Javon Kinlaw and Derrick Brown. However, Madubuike more than set himself apart from competitors athletically at the combine.

Justin Madubuike 4.83 unofficial 40. 1.73 10 yard split pic.twitter.com/zIRggZMEYJ — Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 29, 2020

Measuring in at a well put together 6-foot-3 and 293 pounds with 33.5-inch arms and nine-inch hands, Madubuike ran an incredibly impressive 4.83 40-yard dash (96th percentile among defensive tackles since 1999, per MockDraftable), and his 1.73 10-yard split (64th percentile) wasn’t too shabby either. Most notably, Madubuike ran an incredible 7.37 in the three-cone drills, which is the fastest time by a DT in the last two years, per Next Gen Stats.

Moreover, research shows that for defensive tackles under 310 pounds, their speed score (40-yard dash adjusted for weight) and time in the three-cone drill are the combine metrics that translate most to NFL success, per Rotoworld, and Madubuike performed very well in both metrics.

While he didn’t compete in the short-shuttle, vertical or broad jumps, he did go through the position drills, where he showcased impressive fluidity, body control and change of direction ability, showing impressive bend and burst for a 293-pound man as well.

Not only is he a great athlete, but he also has a good amount of production to go with positing two straight seasons with 10+ tackles for loss and 5+ sacks. There’s a lot to like on tape too, as he shows an ability to impact the run and pass games at the next level as a three-technique.

With Maliek Collins scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in a couple of weeks, Madubuike would be an appropriate replacement in the second round.

Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

The combine was going to be huge for Boise State EDGE Curtis Weaver as a productive small school product.

Measuring in at a slightly undersized 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds, Weaver answered the athleticism concerns levied by evaluators based on his tape. Many wondered if Weaver had the requisite athleticism for his pass rush ability to translate; however, a 7-second three-cone (83rd percentile among EDGEs since 1999, per MockDraftable) and 4.27-second short shuttle (80th percentile) should quiet most of those concerns.

The three-cone and short-shuttle drills (along with the 10-yard split) are the most important drills for edge defenders, as they help quantify a defender’s ‘bend,’ which is a pass rusher’s ability to run underneath and around a blocker while also arcing toward the quarterback's spot in his drop.

Ball is out quick but this is some nifty handwork and some really good cornering from Curtis Weaver. Love how stuffs the RT's outside hand to his hip, which aids him in cornering and makes it very difficult for the RT to re-fit his hands. pic.twitter.com/r50nzSAwyc — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 21, 2020

Therefore, Weaver proved that his consistent ability to win on the outside hip of offensive tackles in college had more to due to with his skill and legitimate, translatable athleticism than the lack of skill from his opponents.

Weaver also performed adequately in the jumps, posting a 32.5-inch vertical (43rd percentile) and a 9-foot-8 broad jump (57th percentile). Those numbers may not be impressive but because Weaver doesn’t win with explosiveness, they shouldn’t be surprising.

With DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford, Leighton Vander Esch and Cedrick Wilson drafted by the Cowboys in the last eight years and still on the roster, the Boise State-Cowboys pipeline is strong, which is why it shouldn’t be a surprise that Dallas spent one of its formal interviews at the combine on Weaver.

Don’t be surprised if Weaver becomes a second-round target for the Cowboys even if they re-sign Robert Quinn, as a team can never have too many pass-rushers, and it’d be smart to develop one for the future in the meantime.

Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State

If Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons was the king of the combine on Saturday, then Mississippi State LB Willie Gay Jr. was the prince, as he showcased elite explosiveness and linear athleticism to go with passable agility and change of direction ability.

Measuring in at 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds with 32-5/8 inch arms and 10-1/2 inch hands, Gay ran an incredible 4.46 40-yard dash (97th percentile among off-ball LBs since 1999, per MockDraftable) to go along with otherworldly jumps of 39.5 inches in the vertical (93rd percentile) and 11-foot-4 in the broad (99th percentile). Gay followed that up with passable times in the three-cone (7.08) and short shuttle drills (4.3).

Moreover, research shows that an LBs speed score is the combine metric that translates most to NFL success, per Rotoworld, and Gay’s 122.8 speed score is elite.

Gay’s currently trending as a Day 3 pick after a disappointing 2019 season where he was suspended for eight games due to an NCAA violation and contributed only as a reserve on defense (most of his contributions came on special teams), as off-field red flags limit the ceiling of his draft stock.

While the Cowboys don’t need a traditional starting Mike (middle) or Will (weak-side) linebacker, they will still need to add to the depth of the position, as last year’s main reserve LBs Sean Lee and Joe Thomas are scheduled to become free agents, which is why Gay could catch the Cowboys eye on Day 3.

The Cowboys have made it apparent that they are going to allocate more resources toward special teams this season after last year’s debacle. One great way to boost Dallas’ special teams could be to draft a 243-pound LB who runs a 4.4 to run down and cover kickoffs and punts.

Drafting a player like Gay on Day 3 would not only boost Dallas’ special teams, but it also gives Mike Nolan a young and uber-athletic LB to develop for the future. The off-field red flags are concerning but only needing to spend a Day 3 pick limits Dallas’ risk to the point where the potential reward could be too much to pass up.

CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

If the Cowboys go into the first round targeting a cornerback, Florida’s CJ Henderson is probably the top option who could realistically be available (Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah will be gone in the top-10).

Henderson is one of the stickiest cornerbacks in this class, and he cemented his first-round status by testing as an elite athlete at the NFL combine.

Henderson’s combine got off to a good start at the weigh-ins, as he measured in at impressive 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds with 31-5/8 inch arms, proving that he’s big enough to survive on the outside in the NFL.

The Florida product then flew through the 40-yard dash, posting an excellent 4.39 (84th percentile among CBs since 1999, per MockDraftable), which demonstrates his ability to blanket speedy receivers on vertical routes. He also demonstrated great explosiveness, jumping 37.5 inches in the vertical (70th percentile) and 10-foot-7 in the broad (83rd percentile).

Expect Florida CB CJ Henderson to run fast, mainly because he's fast (#analysis), which is why he can recover & make plays on throws like this one to Ja'Marr Chase - pic.twitter.com/Ikqm2VC6eK — Michael Kist (@MichaelKistNFL) February 26, 2020

Henderson coupled his strong tape by measuring in with great size and testing as an elite athlete, and you can be sure the Cowboys took notice, as they reportedly had a formal meeting with the Florida product at the combine.

With Byron Jones likely departing in free agency, Henderson would be an ideal candidate to replace him. He has the size, athleticism and skill to develop into a great outside cornerback in the NFL.

The only problem is that Henderson’s testing may have put him just out of reach at pick No. 17.

Jeremy Chinn, DB, Southern Illinois

The NFL combine is a great way for a small-school stud to improve his stock. No one took more advantage than Southern Illinois DB Jeremy Chinn.

🔥 4.46 40-yard dash

🔥 11’6” broad jump

🔥 41" vertical



Jeremy Chinn is putting on a show.

pic.twitter.com/8IWEqeAivZ — PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 1, 2020

Measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds with 32-1/8 inch arms and 9-5/8 inch hands, Chinn proved to be one of the most explosive athletes in the draft, running a 4.46 40-yard dash (86th percentile among safeties since 1999, per MockDraftable) while posting a 41-ich vertical (95th percentile) and an 11-foot-6 broad jump (98th percentile).

That’s the kind of linear athleticism that could enable Chinn to close quickly on the catch point and be a missile in run support in the NFL, as his ability to fly forward is clearly evident in his performance at the combine.

With Jeff Heath scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, the Cowboys are in the market for a safety to pair with Xavier Woods. If the Cowboys grab a veteran on a short-term contract in free agency, Chinn could be a great option on Day 2 as a developmental safety who initially sees snaps in three safety looks while being a major contributor on special teams before stepping into a starting role in Year 2 or 3.

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