*(Editor's Note: Heading into the upcoming NFL Draft, held April 30-May 2, DallasCowboys.com will take a closer look at the prospects, including some that could be potential fits with the Cowboys. Today's featured player is Florida Atlantic cornerback D'Joun Smith.) *
Name: D'Joun Smith
Position: Cornerback
College: Florida Atlantic
Height/Weight: 5-10 / 187
Honors: A first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2013, along with FAU team MVP honors. With teams not throwing his way much in 2014, Smith's numbers dropped but he still earned Defensive MVP for his team and second-team All-CUSA honors.
Key stat:Finished second in the country as a junior in 2013 with 20 pass deflections, and ranked third in interceptions with seven.
Where He's Projected:Smith is in the second group of cornerbacks and should be a Day 2 prospect, either at the end of the second round or early third. If the Cowboys don't go cornerback in the first round and not much is left when they get to No. 60, Smith could be a good option here. The Cowboys could also do some draft-day trading and move back into the early third round, where Smith might a better fit.
How He Helps the Cowboys:Although the Cowboys have one of the best slot corners in the league in Orlando Scandrick, getting another inside player would make this team better because Scandrick's services on the outside are also needed. Smith isn't the biggest corner but is a good cover guy and those players seem to fare better inside in the slot. He knows how to get his hands on the ball, something this secondary has lacked in recent years.
Scout's Take:Plays with nice quickness and a burst to stay in position. At times his technique can be all over the place but he will continue to fight. Lacks ideal height and length for the position at 5-10 and there is a time or two where he needs to get his head around and play the ball better down the field. Like how he is able to carry the receiver down the field. Outstanding quickness both short and long. Has the hips and movement to change directions. Press man player. Best when he can get his hands on the receiver off the line. Can fight through the trash. Nice key and diagnose. Moves well. Can pedal, turn and burst. Little bit of a side tackler but gets them down. Very good range and reactionary player. Good zone discipline. Stays where he needs to be, will come off man to help. Loose hips player. Willing tackler when he can. Smart player. Gives outstanding effort to defend the ball. Gives up more plays playing off than press. Nice break on the screen. Shows the ability to get his hands on passes but needs to do a better job of hauling them in. Is a really confident football player. Doesn't always get to face the best receivers in the country but when he does, he does not disappoint. Could go earlier than I have him in the 3rd day but would be a nice addition if he could be selected then. Has had some success as a kickoff return man in the past and could help in that regard if needed.-Bryan Broaddus
-- Other Possible Picks --
Kevin Johnson - CB - Wake Forest
Bryce Petty - QB - Baylor
Carl Davis - DT - Iowa
Eric Kendricks - LB - UCLA
Todd Gurley - RB - Georgia
Owamagbe Odighizuwa - DE - UCLA
Shaq Thompson - LB - Washington
Jalen Collins - CB - LSU
Devin Smith - WR - Ohio State
Melvin Gordon - RB - Wisconsin
Tevin Coleman - RB - Indiana
Byron Jones - CB - UConn
Ty Montgomery - WR - Stanford
Eli Harold - DE/LB - Virginia
T.J. Yeldon - RB - Alabama
Randy Gregory - DE - Nebraska
Chaz Green - OT - Florida
P.J. Williams - CB - Florida State
Damarious Randall - S - Arizona State
Duke Johnson - RB - Florida State
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