The Dallas Cowboys finished last season with the 26th ranked passing defense. With cornerback Brandon Carr's contract becoming an issue and Morris Claiborne's health a constant question mark, it's clear that the Cowboys need to upgrade in the secondary. Badly.
With most of the top options off the free agent market, Dallas will likely look to the NFL draft to find some able and affordable bodies to help out. Specifically, LSU cornerback Jalen Collins could be headed for Big D.
"[Wisconsin running back Melvin] Gordon was still on the board (he ended up slipping to the Jets early in the second round in this mock) but I elected to go defense this time," Erik Siegrist of Rotowire.com wrote. "Cowboys fans would probably tear their hair out at the thought of another first round corner from LSU given how Mo Claiborne has worked out, but Collins is his own guy. He's got the size and speed you want in a starting cornerback, and while his technique is rough and his college resume is skimpy, he does appear to have the instincts to get better in a hurry."
ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper. Jr projects Collins to be selected by the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 20, seven spots before Dallas picks. However, Philly's recent free agent splurge on Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond may have changed their draft plans. Here's what Kiper had to say of the DB.
"Collins is a high-upside play as a cornerback with good size, reach and athletic attributes," Kiper wrote. "He can play physical but also turn and run with the fastest wide receivers in the league. He's not a complete package yet, but he can press, play off and shows awareness in zone."