Travis Frederick
Travis Frederick is getting first team work at center and is the odds on favorite to start in the fall. Phil Costa is a long shot to win the pivot position only if Frederick goes to either guard. He is a power player who gets push in the run game, yet is smooth and aware enough to handle inside stunts. He can anchor a power rush and has the functional strength to get movement on the nose tackle. Gavin Escobar is one of the top athletic move and shift tight ends in the country. He gives the Cowboys a talented big red zone target to take the pressure off Jason Witten. He has good body control to come out of his cuts smoothly with a burst to separate. In order to be the heir apparent to Witten, he will need to improve his base and strength as an inline blocker. Terrance Williams will battle Dwayne Harris for the third wide receiver spot. The former Baylor pass catcher has demonstrated concentration, hands, and good cutting ability in space. He is making the adjustment from a spread zone based offense to an NFL pro scheme. Williams will compete for the ball in the air or lay out for a poorly thrown pass. He has had a strong spring of OTAs. JJ Wilcox impressed during OTAs with his athletic ability, but his lack of secondary experience was also evident. After starting at running back and wide receiver in college, he is just learning to play the strong safety position. A physical and tough strong safety, he will contribute on special teams’ coverage and returns. BW Webb has shown quickness in his backpedal, good hands, and ball skills in OTAs. A cover corner, he has experience playing outside or inside on the slot. Webb has a chance to join Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr, and Orlando Scandrick in sub packages. A good man-to-man athlete, he can turn and run. He is a grab and drag down type tackler. Joseph Randle was a productive feature runner in a spread offense where he ran through natural seams in the defense. A bender weaver type downhill runner, he follows his blockers. He has not proven that he is a power runner on the goal-line or short yardage. He is projected to get plenty of work with DeMarco Murray’s injury history. DeVonte Holloman played the hybrid “Spur” position for South Carolina. He is not easy to block because of his quickness. He is athletic enough to cover backs out of the backfield. Holloman should contribute on special teams’ coverage and will compete with Kyle Wilber for a roster spot to back up Demarcus Ware. GRADE: AVERAGE.
Box 235 Hiawatha, IA 52233