Dallas Cowboys 2017 Draft: Five Cornerback Prospects

Jourdan Lewis, CB – Michigan

Strengths

Jourdan Lewis of Michigan has incredibly good footwork that enables him to stay with wide receivers step for step.  When it is time to turn and run he gets his hips around and explodes, getting to full speed in the blink of an eye.

His ability to mirror a receiver’s route is aided by the fact that he has terrific route recognition.  That recognition helps him to play very instinctual as opposed to reactive.  He seems as though he puts in a considerable amount of time in the film room which is always a plus.

Weaknesses

Lewis is one of the corners in this draft that has the ability to excel in the slot.  Problem is I don’t believe he will be much of an asset on the outside.  He has the speed to keep up with most wide outs, but he isn’t big enough or strong enough to go against the better outside receivers in the NFL.

Tackling is also not Lewis’ favorite past time.  He avoids any real contact every chance he gets.  He shows a preference for going low and dragging ball carriers down by the ankles.  I am afraid to think of what the strong wide outs in the NFL will do to him, let alone a running back coming around the edge.

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Outlook for the Dallas Cowboys

Not in the first.  Not in the second.  The third?  It’s the earliest I would pause and think about it, but I would still pass.  Lewis has the makings of a very good slot corner, but if the Cowboys haven’t selected a cornerback by the third round I would hope they would be looking for an outside corner (assuming Carr and/or Claiborne aren’t re-signed).  Of course, if Dallas takes a corner in either of the first two rounds, there is no reason to even consider Lewis in the third.