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NFL Draft 2015 grades: Dallas Cowboys select Byron Jones

By Matt Verderame

Oct 11, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Connecticut Huskies cornerback Byron Jones (16) looks for a signal against the Tulane Green Wave in the third quarter at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Connecticut Huskies cornerback Byron Jones (16) looks for a signal against the Tulane Green Wave in the third quarter at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 27th-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Connecticut Huskies cornerback Byron Jones. Dallas is trying to improve a defense that is already getting middle linebacker Sean Lee back from injury, after he missed the entire 2015 campaign.

Grade: B-

Jones is a physical specimen who shot up the draft boards of many teams after performing incredibly well at the NFL Combine in February at Indianapolis. At Connecticut, Jones was fairly raw but has great athletic ability, showing the range to play both safety and corner at the NFL level.

It was fairly surprising to see Jones go before LSU’s Jalen Collins, who some believed was the third-best corner in the draft behind Trae Waynes and Kevin Johnson. Jones is likely going to spell the end of Morris Claiborne’s time in Dallas, a former first-round pick who failed to pan out.

Going into Day Two, the Cowboys don’t have many pressing needs. The defending NFC East champs will likely stay on the defensive side of the ball, getting some players for the front seven. Adding another pass-rusher will be key, along with finding some run-stuffers on the line.

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