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Dallas Cowboys: There’s a new ballhawk in town

By James Yaites

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keith Gavin (89) is unable to make a catch as Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) defends the play during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keith Gavin (89) is unable to make a catch as Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) defends the play during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Dallas Cowboys revamped secondary taking shape, rookie cornerback Jourdan Lewis’ ball skills stand out above the rest.

When the Dallas Cowboys selected cornerback Jourdan Lewis from Michigan in the third round, I was extremely pessimistic about the pick. My first thought was he is too small as Lewis weighs in at 5-foot-10, 188 pounds. And that’s being generous!

With the New York Giants acquiring Brandon Marshall, the Philadelphia Eagles getting Alshon Jeffery and the Washington Redskins signing Terrelle Pryor, the influx of big physical receivers is now very prevalent in the NFC East.

My feeling was that the Cowboys needed bigger corners to combat them. But then I dabbled deeper into the film room and the numbers. My views started to change. There are two things that don’t lie. Game tape and numbers. And the first thing that stands out to me about Lewis are his natural ball skills.

This kid is feisty, scrappy always looking to make a play. You remember his absurd one-handed interception against the Wisconsin Badgers don’t you? If not, watch it below.

In his last three seasons alone, Lewis allowed only a 42% completion percentage against him. And he ended his Michigan career with a school record 45 pass breakups. That’s what I said. 45 folks!

The slot position would be the perfect fit for Lewis in Dallas because of his aggressive style. And the 5-foot-10 corner would also be facing smaller, quicker type receivers as well.

Let’s be honest Cowboy’s fans. Haven’t you grown tired of seeing the secondary getting burnt and flagged in the most critical parts of the game? Should I mention our last playoff game where Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers torched them?

Next: Ranking the Top 10 Dallas Cowboys going into 2017

The point is look for new players like Jourdan Lewis to buck this maddening trend in Dallas. Will there be growing pains? Of course there will be. Lewis is a rookie. I still see him being a difference maker for the Dallas Cowboys in Year One.

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