The NFL Scouting Combine is taking place in Indianapolis this week, and with 324 players in attendance, it can be a bit overwhelming for fans to figure out who they should be keeping their eyes on.
Over the next two days we’ll give you some names on both sides of the ball that Cowboys fans should keep tabs on.
Today, we’ll look at offense.
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Burks is a name to watch not because he’s necessarily going to be available at pick 24, but because if he were to somehow slide to the Cowboys he could be in play for them based simply off of value.
When you also consider that Dallas has three receivers under contract currently, and they may move on from Amari Cooper, it’s completely possible that we’re all talking about receiver as the team’s number 1 need by draft day.
Burks is a physical freak, who has drawn comparisons to AJ Brown. Despite being listed at 6’3, 225 pounds, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Burks runs his 40 in the high 4.4 range, which would be a good time given his size.
Burks has a breakout Junior season in 2021, and it was highlighted by some big time performances against ranked SEC opponents: 6 receptions, 167 yards, 1 TD vs. Texas A&M, 7 receptions, 136 yards, 1 TD against Ole Miss, and 8 receptions, 179 yards, and 2 TD against Alabama.
Burks is barely scratching the surface of what he can be. As he becomes a more polished route-runner he’ll become a very difficult match-up for NFL defensive backs.
The question is whether he tests so well this week that he solidifies himself outside of Dallas’ range.
Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
We know how much the Cowboys value position flexibility, but it’s rare to find an offensive line prospect who plays multiple spots on the line, AND is actually good at all of them.
Green played both guard and tackle spots last season, and he even played a little bit of center in the 2021 Orange Bowl. Aggies Head Coach Jimbo Fisher told the Dallas Morning News that Green is “one of the most selfless, great players I’ve ever been around as far as his willingness to do whatever his team needs him to do. He’s a throwback in what he does.”
Green spent most of his college career at left guard, and that’s where he likely projects at the next level. Fittingly enough, the Cowboys have a hole at left guard with the expected departure of Connor Williams via free agency.
Green has the size (6’4, 325) to brawl with NFL interior defensive lineman, but he’s also nimble enough to get to the second level and take out linebackers.
Green could be gone by the time the Cowboys pick in the first round, but if he’s there, he’ll definitely get some consideration.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
This may not be a name many fans are familiar with, but you should expect to hear his name called somewhere in the top 100.
Likely fits right in with the modern day tight ends. At 6’4, 240 pounds, Likely is a good athlete with reliable hands who can’t be taken out of the game by a linebacker. You need to devote a defensive back to Likely.
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While he isn’t a mauler as a blocker, Likely shows willingness in the run game, and his tape shows discernable improvement from 2020 to 2021.
Likely had a good week at the Senior Bowl, and with the possibility of Dalton Schultz playing elsewhere in 2022, Likely is firmly on the Cowboys radar as a potential replacement.
Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Linderbaum is the no-doubt-about-it top center in the draft this year.
Tyler Biadasz played well in the second half of the season after a rocky start, but if Linderbaum is there when the Cowboys pick at 24, they’d have to consider it. There’s a decent chance he’d be the best player available if he fell that far.
The question many people have about Linderbaum is his power. He was listed at 290 pounds this season, and he isn’t going to have a highlight reel full of pancake blocks.
But what Linderbaum doesn’t have in pure power he makes up for with near-perfect technique, and a very high football IQ.
Linderbaum’s weight and bench press reps will be numbers to watch, but even if those numbers come in low, it’s not the end of the world.
Jason Kelce, Rodney Hudson, and Ryan Kalil all weighed under 300 pounds at the combine, and they have combined for 13 Pro Bowl appearances. Travis Frederick had fewer bench reps than 82% of combine-participating centers over the last 23 years.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Watson isn’t a name that would be in play for the Cowboys at pick 24, but he’s a name to know in the third round, and a strong week in Indy could have him in the discussion for teams in the 2nd round.
Watson had a really impressive week at the Senior Bowl last month, and has really impressive measurables. He checked in at 6’4, 210 pounds, with 10-inch hands when he was measured in Mobile.
With a frame like Watson’s you might think of him as a lumbering possession receiver, but Watson should display 4.4 speed in Indianapolis this week.
He’s still developing as a route runner, but he’s shown steady improvements during his time at North Dakota State, and his traits make him a prospect work rolling the dice on.
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