The Dallas Cowboys 2014 NFL Draft: The Jackson Jeffcoat File
By Jeff Magnia
Oct 26, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat (44) rushes the passer against TCU Horned Frogs offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (74) in the third quarter of the game at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Cowboys will have either the 16th or 17th pick in the NFL Draft on May 8th. Even though we are a couple of months away from that, the speculation has started on who should be the first pick. Cowboy experts should be on alert to now select possible 3rd round worthy candidates as a first pick, as we learned from last year’s selection of Travis Fredrick. As fans, we all know that Jerry Jones will try to ride that bolt of lightning as much as possible. It is very rare that a lightning bolt will strike twice on one space but it isn’t impossible.
As the roster has been reviewed on what the needs are, most fans are hammering for a successor to quarterback Tony Romo especially with Texas A&M product Johnny Manziel in the draft. The Heisman trophy winner from a year ago has a better chance of going to our state rivals, the Houston Texans. One spot on the roster that does need attention is the defensive line. DeMarcus Ware isn’t getting any younger and we really don’t have a big name star to fill the void on the opposite side as we have had many players fill the spot due to a ravaging of injuries this past football season.
Another Texas college football player may fill that void for the ‘boys. He even brings some pedigree to the position. Jackson Jeffcoat was born in 1991 while his father, Jim Jeffcoat played for Dallas as a defensive end. The younger Jeffcoat was probably too little to remember his father’s playing days or truly experience the winning of two Super Bowls but he was old enough to remember that his dad did coach as a member of the defensive unit for Dallas from 1998-2005.
Jackson himself has played football at the same high level as dear old dad. He played at Plano West Senior High School and recorded 259 tackles, 25.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, caught two INTs, blocked two kicks, and a had a touchdown. You could safely say, he is his father’s son.
Jackson attended Texas University from 2010 to 2013 and was named 2010 Freshman All-American. As a senior, he was a consensus All-American and has won the Ted Hendricks Award for being the best defensive lineman in the nation.
Jeffcoat is 6-4, 250 lbs and can run a 4.78-40-yard dash. He has been ranked the 6th ranked defensive end according to CBSsports.com with a projected 2nd round selection. He has been scouted as a lanky kid that could add more muscle to his frame. He could be a defensive end or a linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and he has a natural pass rushing ability. He has been said to have problems after making initial contact and that he lacks imagination shedding blocks. He has had some injury issues including some shoulder problems that cost him some playing time. He had a procedure in January 2012 to fix it but that following fall, he injured it again. Jeffcoat has had three injuries during his career at Texas so he has some durability as it was only limited to an ankle injury and the two shoulder problems.
On the upside, he has some definite room for improvement. Add 20 lbs to his frame, work on his hand work shedding blockers, and allow him the time to develop, Dallas could have the second coming of…Jim Jeffcoat. The senior Jeffcoat would probably love to see his offspring in a #77 jersey sporting the blue starred helmet. Many fans in Dallas know that he would be a possible first round pick with Jones’ history of selecting non-first round picks. Jones also has infinity to having familiar faces around the team. Along with Jim Jeffcoat coaching also has former players Bill Bates, Chris Boniol and the most famous of all at the moment is Jason Garrett among the many who has graced the sidelines in football gear and later, coaches garb. It wouldn’t surprise this fan to see the offspring of those players following suit. Jackson Jeffcoat could be the first of those.