Cowboys' Potential Draft Pick: JJ Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern

Georgia Southern safety JJ Wilcox actually played receiver during his first three years in college, making the transition to strong safety in 2012. He finished with 88 tackles and two interceptions.

Scouting Report

Wilcox has excellent size at 6-0, 213 pounds. He turned in a solid 40 time at 4.51 and a remarkable 4.09 short shuttle, showing why he was used at receiver for three seasons. As you’d expect, Wilcox is an outstanding athlete; he moves fluidly and shows excellent lateral quickness. Despite little experience at safety, Wilcox is a good tackler. He doesn’t wait for ball-carriers to reach him, but instead attacks the line and breaks down well in space.

Wilcox didn’t play much from a single-high position at Georgia Southern, but he got time there at the Senior Bowl. He performed surprisingly well, and his measurables suggest he should be able to play deep. He showed good ball skills at the Senior Bowl—and during his time on offense in college—so he has the ability to make big plays in the secondary.

The obvious knock on Wilcox at this point is that he’s a project. He could take a year or two until he becomes fully acclimated to the safety position, but there’s obvious upside.

NFL Comparison: Eric Weddle

The Weddle comparison is high praise for Wilcox, but I think he has that sort of ability. He’s raw, but there isn’t an obvious weakness in his game. He could potentially play either safety position.

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Projection

Wilcox is currently slated for the middle rounds—anywhere from the third to the fifth—although I think he could surprise some people. NFL teams should be emphasizing upside after the first couple rounds, and Wilcox will offer a higher ceiling than just about any safety after the second round.

Fit In Dallas

I love the way Wilcox could fit in Dallas because he’s versatile. He can play underneath or deep. With Barry Church playing strong safety, I think Wilcox has what it takes to make the transition to playing the deep middle.

Other Scouting Reports

Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC

Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon

Jonathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia

D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia

Barrett Jones, C, Alabama

Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC

Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

Kevin Minter, LB, LSU

Larry Warford, G, Kentucky

Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International

Datone Jones, DT/DE, UCLA

Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama

Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford

Dallas Thomas, OT, Tennessee

Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State

Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State

Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn

Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State

Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Kyle Long, G/T, Oregon

Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

Khaseem Greene, LB, Rutgers

Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse

Stansly Maponga, DE, TCU

Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

Bacarri Rambo, S, Georgia

Justin Pugh, G, Syracuse

Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State

T.J. McDonald, S, USC

D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina

Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin

Jonathan Bales is the founder of The DC Times. He writes for DallasCowboys.com and the New York Times. He's also the author of Fantasy Football for Smart People: How to Dominate Your Draft.

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