Advanced scouting: Jonathan Cyprien

March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
11:30
PM CT
Jonathan CyprienJoe Robbins/Getty ImagesJonathan Cyprien impressed teams with his work at the Senior Bowl.
To help preview who might be on the Dallas Cowboys' board for the NFL draft, ESPNDallas.com has identified five players at five key positions that we’d like to learn more about. Along those lines, we’ve asked former Cowboys assistant coach Glenn “Stretch” Smith – the official scout of Galloway & Company – to study tape of each player and give his thoughts.

No. 5 safety: Jonathan Cyprien


Position: Strong safety

Height/weight: 6-foot, 217 pounds

School: Florida International

Why he's on the radar: The Cowboys released Gerald Sensabaugh for salary cap space and because he doesn't make enough plays on the ball. Cyprien impressed several NFL teams with his work at the Senior Bowl and his pro day. The Cowboys need a physical safety to pair with Barry Church in 2013 and Cyprien could be a nice find. He led Florida International with 93 tackles and had four interceptions last season. Durability isn't an issue; he didn't miss a game in three seasons. Cowboys safeties Matt Johnson Danny McCray and Church all battled injuries last season.

Projection: Second round

Stretch Truths: Good in-the-box safety who provides run support, is physical, will run and hit. ... Can punch and shed receiver blocks. ... The downside to this kid is that I don't see a burst to cover the deep half. Definitely not a single-high safety. ... Question his smarts to read and recognize route concepts. Definitely not a man-cover safety.
Calvin Watkins joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He's covered the Cowboys since 2006 and also has covered colleges, boxing and high school sports.

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