Dallas Cowboys 2024 Draft: 5 closest defensive comparisons for potential picks

After taking a look at some of the offensive prospects in this year's draft, here are the five defensive prospects that are closest to the Dallas Cowboys.

LB Peyton Wilson (North Carolina State)
Best Comp Award – Sean Lee

Size comparison:
Wilson-
Height – 6'3” 7/8
Weight – 234 lbs.
Arm length – 30 1/2 inches
Hand – 9 inches

Lee~
Height – 6’2”
Weight – 236 lbs.
Arm length – 32 inches
Hand size – 8 3/4 inches

Athletic comparison:
Wilson-
40 yard time – 4.43 seconds
Vert – 34 1/2”
Wide – 119 inches

Lee~
40 yard time – 4.71 seconds
Vert – 37 1/2”
Wide – 120 inches

While the size comparison between both players is pretty close, this comparison is not about similarities in size or athletic ability, but rather about football IQ, position, and injury history. Like Sean Lee, Peyton Wilson has a high football IQ and can see several steps ahead and read his offensive layout like a book. The ability to quickly adjust and always be in the right place at the right time is how both players work. Both have adapted well to playing in Will's linebacker position, quickly approaching the ball carrier and chasing them down with excellent tackling technique.

Unfortunately, so is the durability comparison between the two players. Wilson has a long list of injuries, which we covered in his scouting report a while back. With shoulder, ACL and hamstring injuries, Wilson checks all the injury boxes, making him a risky pick at such a precarious position. If they draft him, fans will hold their breath at every tough tackle, just like they did with Sean Lee.

Photo by Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images

DE Chop Robinson (Penn State University)
Best Comp Award – Sam Williams

Size comparison:
Robinson-
Height – 6'2” 7/8
Weight – 254 lbs.
Arm length – 32 1/2 inches
Wingspan – 76 1/4 inches

williams-
Height – 6'3” 1/2
Weight – 261 lbs.
Arm length – 33 inches
Wingspan – 80 inches

Athletic comparison:
Robinson-
10 yard split – 1.54 seconds
40 yard time – 4.48 seconds
Wide – 128 inches

williams-
10 Yard Split – 1.60 seconds
40 yard time – 4.46 seconds
Wide – 123 inches

This pair has rare explosiveness and speed off the snap. The way both can shoot through the B-gap or around the edge at similar speeds is very similar. Their pursuit speed and hustle are exactly the same, and their flexibility to turn the edge at pass rusher looks like a mirror image of each other.

When it comes to weaknesses, both have issues locking onto the edge on run plays. Another issue is a lack of lower body technique, which often causes both players to slip when taking blocks.

CB Cooper DeJean (Iowa State)
Best Picture – Jeff Heath

Size comparison:
Dejan~
Height – 6'0” 1/2
Weight – 203 lbs.
Arm length – 31 3/8 inches

heath-
Height – 6’1”
Weight – 209 lbs.
Arm length – 30 inches

They both have broad shoulders and large upper bodies, so they both have the same problem with twisting their hips. But one thing is for sure: both are excellent tacklers and can make a big contribution to conceding goals. Dezeen is one of the players in this year's draft who is clamoring for a position change to the NFL.

He performed well as an outside corner in college, but given his size and slow flexibility, he could be a hindrance in the NFL. But where he shines is in a safe place. Given his great ability to stop the run and use his experience at corner to cover deep as a safety, his productivity could increase significantly at the next level. He didn't have as many interceptions, but like Heath, he did make a few interceptions. But like Heath, he can also take big hits and make touchdown-saving tackles. However, I don't know how good Dejan is at kicking.

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images

CB Ennis Rakestraw (Missouri)
Best Picture – Mo Claiborne

Size comparison:
Rakestraw-
Height – 5'11” 3/8
Weight – 183 lbs.
Arm length – 32 inches

Claiborne-
Height – 5’11”
Weight – 188 lbs.
Arm length – 33 inches

Athletic comparison:
Rakestraw-
40 yard time – 4.51 seconds
Wide – 120 inches

Claiborne-
40 yard time – 4.50 seconds
Wide – 118 inches

Claiborne had a lot more buzz than Rakestro in the draft, but some would say the Missouri defensive back is underrated in many ways. What these two can compare to is their toughness and competitiveness at their positions. Similar to Claiborne, Rakstro is great at jamming at the line, working physically with receivers, and using the line as an extra defender to draw them towards the perimeter. Both players are willing to step back and contribute defensively.

The problem is exactly the same in both cases. Both players are skilful and raise flags, but both have major doubts due to anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In the cornerback position, where athleticism is a big part of ability, ACL injuries are a big concern. It's very important to the medical community at this point, and we don't see it, but judging from past experience, moving back a defender who suffers from an ACL will create problems in the future. there is a possibility.

LB Trevin Wallace (Kentucky)
Best Comp Award – Damone Clarke

Size comparison:
Wallace-
Height – 6'1” 1/8
Weight – 237 lbs.
Arm length – 32 5/8 inches
Wingspan – 79 1/8”

Clerk-
Height – 6’2”
Weight – 239 lbs.
Arm length – 33 inches
Wingspan – 78 1/8”

Athletic comparison:
Wallace-
10 yard split – 1.62 seconds
40 yard time – 4.51 seconds
Vert – 37 1/2”
Wide – 127 inches

Clerk-
10 yard split – 1.58 seconds
40 yard time – 4.57 seconds
Veil – 37”
Wide – 127 inches

This is one of the closest comparisons in terms of defensive prospects. Both have small size, explosive power, and excellent pursuit ability. Both players have similar lateral speed and similar change of direction skills.

The problem is that both are freelancers and lack the instinct for running plays. Both can be fooled by fakes and play-actions, and neither is very useful as a pass rusher.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images