Breaking: Cowboys Projected to Add ‘Turnover Machine’ to Defense
After back-to-back postseason losses, the Dallas Cowboys’ attention has turned to the upcoming NFL draft.
The Cowboys have many needs on both sides of the football. From strengthening the offensive line, getting younger and more available at wide receiver on offense, or strengthening the defensive line corps, Jerry Jones has the opportunity to significantly add talent to this roster through free agency and the draft. .
Likewise, the Cowboys’ safety will be scrutinized. In CBS Sports analyst Chris Trapasso’s latest 2024 NFL mock draft, Dallas is going with Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin, one of the top safeties in the upcoming class.
“Nubin is a three-down safety,” Trapasso wrote. “Given the Cowboy’s ability to pass rush, there could be more returns in Dallas.”
The Cowboys played their best defense of the season, allowing defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to put extra pressure on Micah Parsons and Dallas. Nubin could definitely benefit from the backline. Last season for the Golden Gophers, Nubin totaled 53 tackles, intercepted five passes, broke up four more and added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Tyler Nubbin NFL Draft Scouting Report
Nubin’s versatility could allow him to climb draft boards around the league, including the Cowboys’ war room. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Nuveen isn’t just a flyer who caught 13 passes in four seasons as a starter in Minnesota, but his versatility could make him a real weapon in an NFL secondary.
Pro Football Focus, which ranked Nuveen as the No. 30 prospect in this year’s class, wrote, “Nubin is a journeyman safety who can play freely and work with a lot of responsibility.” “He’s solid defensively, but his most impressive trait is his anticipation in coverage. There are more athletic safeties in this class, but few can see the play better than Nubbin.
PFF gives Nubin an overall grade of 89.2, noting that he has an elite 20% forced completion percentage while allowing just six completions on 20 targets in the 2023 college football season. Ian Cummings of the Pro Football Network wrote, “He’s in the making.” “Nubin is a fluid, physical, adaptive, efficient, technologically variable, fast processor and a huge revenue generator. In run support, Nuveen is a tenacious tackler with instant corner recognition, playmaking power and tackling ability.
Dak Prescott has yet to lead Dallas to the NFC Championship Game, let alone the Super Bowl, but the legendary former Cowboys quarterback isn’t ready to beat him just yet.
“I still believe in Dakka,” Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman told reporters, via John Machota of The Athletic . “If you don’t, you will always be criticized. I know Peyton Manning went his first three years without winning a playoff game, and looking back now, I can’t imagine anyone wondering if he could win a playoff game.
Prescott is entering the final year of his contract, and how the Cowboys feel about their quarterback’s future could be key in determining how aggressive the organization is in free agency this offseason.
