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NFL Draft Rumors: Dallas Cowboys have DB Jalen Ramsey atop draft board

By Matthew Conner

Sep 5, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (8) during pregame before the game against the Texas State Bobcats at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (8) during pregame before the game against the Texas State Bobcats at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
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Reports are surfacing that the Dallas Cowboys have Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey atop their draft board.  But will the Cowboys actually draft another defensive back with its top pick after allocating so many resources to this position in recent years?

According to NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline of Draftinsider.net, the player at the top of the Dallas Cowboys’ draft board is one with which many fans may not be familiar. Earlier this week, Pauline reported that Florida State corner Jalen Ramsey is the Cowboys’ No. 1 rated player in the draft.

Ramsey fits the mold that the Cowboys seem to be targeting in defensive backs in that he is versatile enough to play either safety or corner. After playing his first two years of college football at safety, Ramsey spent 2015 at corner back for the Seminoles.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect is widely thought to be the best defensive back available in this year’s draft.   The junior from Smyrna, Tennessee had 52 tackles and 10 passes defended last season in Tallahassee.

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For his career, Ramsey totaled 181 tackles and three picks in his three years at Florida State. Now, NFL scouts are gushing over his athletic abilities.

The man who started as a true freshman on Florida State’s 2013 national championship team is also one of the best track and field athletes in the nation. In 2015, Ramesy had the third-best long jump in Florida State history at 26 feet 1 ¾ inches.

He has elite speed, a large frame and a love of tackling, especially delivering the big hit though that trait has caused him to draw some costly personal foul penalties.

"According to NFL.com, one NFC player personnel executive says of Ramsey, “Some scouts on the road think he’s overrated and some think he’s the next Richard Sherman. We all agree that he’s going to win the combine and that [draft analyst] (Mike) Mayock won’t stop talking about him.” Link"

There is a consensus among most pundits that Ramsey will be available when Dallas picks at No. 4 in the first round. But do the Cowboys need to spend yet another premium draft pick on a defensive back?

Last season, the Cowboys drafted defensive back Byron Jones out of Connecticut with the 27th pick. Jones’ selection was a necessity because in 2012 Dallas traded up to pick No. 6 to draft corner back Morris Claiborne who has been a bust in the NFL despite being, like Ramsey, the consensus No.1 defensive back available.

Furthermore, in 2008 the Cowboys drafted another corner back, Mike Jenkins who also failed to live up to expectations after being picked at No. 25 overall. In all, Dallas has drafted 19 defensive backs since 2006 with only Jones and fellow corner back Orlando Scandrick (a fifth-round pick in 2008) appearing to be building blocks in the defensive backfield.

With the eminent departure of Claiborne to free agency and the possible release of starting corner Brandon Carr who is set to count $13.8 million against the 2016 salary cap, there is a need for reinforcements in the Dallas secondary. However, is Dallas going to use the highest pick it has had since 1991 on a position towards which it has thrown an inordinate amount of resources in recent years?

Next: Could the Cowboys draft another second-round tight end?

The other needs on the Dallas roster are well documented. The Cowboys could use the No. 4 pick to select its quarterback of the future or to bolster one of the NFL’s worst pass rushes and most draft analysts think the organization will go in one of those two directions.

But do not be shocked to see Dallas spend yet another top draft pick on a defensive back in an attempt to sure up a secondary that is in flux heading into the NFL offseason.

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