It is regarded as a certainty that the Cowboys would draft a safety in 2019. While Xavier Woods proved in reality that he might be one of the guys at protection, the other protection role is up for grabs due to the choppy play of Jeff Heath in 2018. Dallas signed George Iloka to compete for the position; however, gaining a deep protection pool inside the draft was regarded as a no-brainer. But while many draftniks, myself blanketed, centered on names like Nasir Adderley, Juan Thornhill, and Taylor Rapp, the Cowboys were more curious about Trysten Hill than any of the safeties available at 58. Instead, they took a safety in the sixth spherical, 213th average – Texas A&M’s Donovan Wilson. Honestly, I didn’t recognize who he became, and I wasn’t alone.
However, after watching some game movies of Wilson from his time with the Aggies, the selection makes more feel. As a 3-year starter for Texas A&M in the skills-wealthy SEC, Wilson received experience playing protection and nickel nook. He validated awesome ball talents by snagging eight interceptions in the last three seasons. He showed off his abilities as a run defender with 199 tackles and 21.5 tackles for loss in his profession in College Station.
It is that place wherein Wilson shines. Placed, Wilson is a thumper. He packs loads of punch at the back of his hits and doesn’t hesitate to try to lay the lumber. His tackling mechanics aren’t always perfect, as he sacrifices wrapping the United States for large hits too regularly. However, Wilson typically takes exact angles that allow him to discover fulfillment with the one’s huge hits. Just look under, for instance:
Wilson’s choice for big hits has a high threat and reward. On the one hand, his four forced fumbles in his career are appetizing. However, he also has had multiple targeting consequences called on him, and subtle is a prime difficulty with for. For example, if it can ease up until that issue of his recreation, Wilson will see big improvements all around. Iilson doesn’t have all the physical equipment to be reliable unmarried-excessive protection in insurance, but Woods at the group. Wilson is 6’0″ and 199 kilos, giving him a tall and full body, and he has long arms measuring 33 three/8″. He tied for the fifth most bench press reps of safeties on the integrate and had the fourth first-rate vast soar at 127 inches. This aggregate of power and explosiveness facilitates him out in shallow zones and playing close to the scrimmage line, wherein Wilson has to see a maximum of his snaps in Dallas.
Given his revel above as the nickel nook, Wilson is adequate in guy insurance against larger slot receivers and tight ends. His hips are way too tight to depend upon him in man coverage time and again, and Wilson lacks the agility to play an excessive amount of snaps because of the nickel or dime corner. While he can maintain his personal in some instances, he’ll get burned by using shifty receivers on alternate, of course, alone.
That’s now, not to mention Wilson is a legal responsibility in insurance because he’s no longer. Shallow zones within the field or filling gaps of a blitzing cornerback are regions Wilson succeeds in, and gambling deep in Cover 2 and Cover three shells. Additionally, Wilson did a very good activity as a Blitzer in college; he came off the road quickly in a Blitz performance and collected five sacks in his college profession. Kris Richard will absolutely admire that as he attempts to get his defensive backs more involved in the bypass rush.
The most critical thing about Wilson, though, is his intangibles. Having played special groups as a true freshman and then serving as a three-yr starter, Wilson became a frontrunner for the Aggies. He changed into the shielding captain in 2018. He stuffed the role Sean Lee traditionally has for Dallas, getting the play call from the protecting coordinator and ensuring players coated up wherein they have been supposed to be. More than that, Wilson took on this duty as a new coordinator came in, requiring that he research a new playbook quickly.
Wilson was given the crew’s Defensive Leadership Award after the year for his efforts, which noticed the Aggie’s defense ranked 34th inside the kingdom. Having that sort of leadership enjoy coming into the NFL will truly assist him down the road. In the short term, Wilson will likely contribute tto special groups where he can use his large hit capabilities to face out. However, given his traits, Wilson can follow his new teammate, Xavier Woods, going from sixth spherical pick out to starting protection. Wilson can become a high-effect participant in this protection if he can develop in a few key areas, the most extensive field.
