Will the Dallas Cowboys top pick be safety Juan Thornhill?
The Dallas Cowboys still need to be safe at the safety spot. No, they didn’t land Earl Thomas. But maybe Juan Thornhill out of Virginia can be that player.
It’s time to reset. Sadly, the Dallas Cowboys didn’t land the chosen one, safety Earl Thomas. Sure, they stocked the cabinet with a free agent signing that didn’t make waves (looking at you, George Iloka). But it’s time to roll out phase two: draft to fill safety holes.
With the free agency in cool down mode, all eyes shift towards the 2019 NFL Draft. The Cowboys don’t have a Day One pick. So unless owner and general manager Jerry Jones makes a big splash and moves up, Dallas won’t select their first player until the second round, which is April 26th.
No Thomas, no problem? Regardless, the Cowboys move on and the NFL draft has plenty of safeties to net the team with some serious value. One player that you should keep an eye on is Juan Thornhill, a Virginia native.
Who is Juan Thornhill?
Thornhill played his college ball at Virginia. He played for the Cavaliers for four seasons. As a safety, he collected a total of 208 tackles and 13 interceptions. The six-foot, 205 pounds defensive back has the athleticism and build to play either cornerback or safety.
How can he help?
Thornhill’s range of athleticism will draw eyes on draft day. Thornhill played basketball in high school. Also, along with cornerback duties, he played quarterback in high school.
The Dallas Cowboys feed off the right kind of a guy in head coach Jason Garrett‘s program. Thornhill could be a general in the backfield; a moveable piece on the board who can be deployed as a cornerback or safety.
His vision as a former quarterback could present intriguing results. The Dallas Cowboys need depth and smarts in the defensive backfield. Thornhill may fill this role.
Can Kris Richard use him?
The defensive coach guru successfully moved Byron Jones from safety to cornerback in 2018. Can Thornhill become yet another versatile piece under the Richard regime?
The safety clocked in at 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He’s fast. He’s smart. The safety has football experience, NFL ready size, and tackling ability.
Most of all, the Cowboys need a turnover warrior. Tagged along with coach Richard, Thornhill could blossom into a really good safety over the years with an eye to find the football in the sky.
Starter material?
Yes. Because Thornhill is chameleon who can morph into different chess pieces on the field. That type of value for this team is clear and should move the overall needle.
Thornhill can cover bigger receivers or tight ends. The defense can deploy him to cover slot receivers or tight ends, which would free up Byron Jones more to play island style football.
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He has the serious speed to close distances and can suffocate receivers by jamming them up at the line. What do you say? Should the Dallas Cowboys spend the 58th overall pick on safety Juan Thornhill? Tell us in the comment section below.