Cowboys draft 2024: 5 of the closest Dallas defensive comparisons for potential picks

Here are five defensive prospects on the Cowboys radar in this year’s draft that compare closest to Cowboys players

After looking at some offensive prospects in this year’s draft, here are five defensive prospects that compare closest to Dallas Cowboys players.

LB Payton Wilson (N.C. State)
Best Comp- Sean Lee

Size comparison:
Wilson-
Height- 6’3” 7/8
Weight- 234 lbs
Arm Length- 30 1/2”
Hands- 9”

Lee-
Height- 6’2”
Weight- 236 lbs
Arm Length- 32”
Hand size- 8 3/4”

Athletic comparison:
Wilson-
40-Yard Time- 4.43s
Vert- 34 1/2”
Broad- 119”

Lee-
40-Yard Time- 4.71s
Vert- 37 1/2”
Broad- 120”

The size comparisons are fairly close with both players but this comparison is less about size and athletic similarities and more about football IQ, position and injury history. Like Sean Lee, Payton Wilson has a high football IQs that allows him to see several steps ahead and read the offensive alignment like a book. Their ability to adjust quickly and always be in the right place at the right time is how both players operate. Both are well adapted to play the Will linebacker position, getting quickly to the ball carrier and chasing them down with good tackling technique.

Unfortunately, the comparison of the two players durability are also similar. Wilson has a huge list of injuries which we covered in his scouting report not too long ago. From shoulder, ACL and hamstring injuries, Wilson has every concerning injury box checked and at such a volatile position this makes his pick risky. Drafting him will leave fans holding their breath on every tough tackle, just like with Sean Lee.

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DE Chop Robinson (Penn State)
Best Comp- Sam Williams

Size comparison:
Robinson-
Height- 6’2” 7/8
Weight- 254 lbs
Arm Length- 32 1/2”
Wingspan- 76 1/4”

Williams-
Height- 6’3” 1/2
Weight- 261 lbs
Arm Length- 33”
Wingspan- 80”

Athletic comparison:
Robinson-
10-Yard Split- 1.54s
40-Yard Time- 4.48s
Broad- 128”

Williams-
10-Yard Split- 1.60s
40-Yard Time- 4.46s
Broad- 123”

This pair has the same rare explosiveness and speed from the snap. The way they can both fire through the B-gaps or around the edge at similar velocities is extremely comparable. Their pursuit speed and hustle are exactly the same and the flexibility to dip around the edge on pass rushers look like a mirror image of each other.

In terms of weaknesses, both have issues anchoring on the edge on run plays. The other problem is their lack of lower body technique which usually sees both players slipping when taking on blocks.

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CB Cooper DeJean (Iowa)
Best Comp- Jeff Heath

Size comparison:
DeJean-
Height- 6’0” 1/2
Weight- 203 lbs
Arm Length- 31 3/8”

Heath-
Height- 6’1”
Weight- 209 lbs
Arm Length- 30”

Both have broad shoulders and the larger upper half, they also have the same issues flipping their hips. But one thing that’s for sure, the pair are good tacklers and can help massively against the run. One guy in this year’s draft that screams for position change coming into the NFL is DeJean.

He did great in college as an outside corner, but given his size and slow flexibility this could hinder him in the NFL. But where he could shine is at safety. Given his great ability to stop the run and then utilize his experience at corner to cover deep as a safety could see huge gains in his production at the next level. He hasn’t had a lot of interceptions, but has managed to snag a handful, just like Heath. But also like Heath, he can lay the big hits and make touchdown saving tackles. Not sure how good DeJean is at kicking though.

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

CB Ennis Rakestraw (Missouri)
Best Comp- Mo Claiborne

Size comparison:
Rakestraw-
Height- 5’11” 3/8
Weight- 183 lbs
Arm Length- 32”

Claiborne-
Height- 5’11”
Weight- 188 lbs
Arm Length- 33”

Athletic comparison:
Rakestraw-
40-Yard Time- 4.51s
Broad- 120”

Claiborne-
40-Yard Time- 4.50s
Broad- 118”

Claiborne had a lot more buzz coming into the draft than Rakestraw has, but some will say the Missouri defensive back is being undervalued in a lot of ways. Where these two compare is in their toughness and competitiveness at the position. Just like Claiborne, Rakestraw is fantastic at jamming at the line and being physical with receivers and getting them out toward the boundary, using the line as an extra defender. Both are also very willing to come down and help defend the run.

Where the issues lay are both exactly the same. Both get handsy leading to flags and both have huge questions due to ACL injuries. At the cornerback position where athleticism counts for a huge chunk of what they can do, ACL injuries are a huge concern. Medicals count for a lot at this stage, something we don’t get to see, but judging on past experience taking an ACL-ridden defensive back can lead to problems down the line.

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LB Trevin Wallace (Kentucky)
Best Comp- Damone Clark

Size comparison:
Wallace-
Height- 6’1” 1/8
Weight- 237 lbs
Arm Length- 32 5/8”
Wingspan- 79 1/8”

Clark-
Height- 6’2”
Weight- 239 lbs
Arm Length- 33”
Wingspan- 78 1/8”

Athletic comparison:
Wallace-
10-Yard Split- 1.62s
40-Yard Time- 4.51s
Vert- 37 1/2”
Broad- 127”

Clark-
10-Yard Split- 1.58s
40-Yard Time- 4.57s
Vert- 37”
Broad- 127”

This is one of the closest comparisons in terms of the defensive prospects. Both are undersized and both are explosive with great chase-down ability. The lateral speed of both players is similar and there’s also the same decent change-of-direction skills.

In terms of issues, freelancing and a lack of instincts on running plays is apparent in both. Both can get baited by fakes and play-action and neither offer much as pass rushers.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images