In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cowboys thought that they found their saftey of the future, Â Xavier Woods. However, Woods has been average at best for Dallas over his three-year career. The Cowboys were also hopeful that HaHa-Clinton Dix, a former Pro Bowler, would work out for them in a big way. Nevertheless, the Cowboys released him before the season started, leaving their saftey position in dire need of help.
The 2021 NFL Draft is a prominent spot for the Cowboys to draft one of the best safeties in this year’s class. Since the Cowboys will most likely focus on cornerbacks or offensive linemen in the first round, the following rounds put the Cowboys in a prime position to draft a safety.
One safety that the Cowboys should target in the draft is Hamsah Nasirildeen.
Hamsah Nasirildeen
Nasirildeen comes into this year’s draft playing in just two games for the Florida State Seminoles in 2020. He missed the team’s first seven games due to a leg injury.
Nasirildeen’s draft position has shifted drastically over the past months. According to CBS, they list him as the second-best saftey in the draft. On the other side, ESPN lists him as the eighth-best saftey in this year’s class.
However, one thing is certain, Nasirildeen has the tools and physicality to be a solid saftey in the league, especially for the Cowboys. He comes in at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, which would put him as the second-tallest saftey to ever play the position. The tallest saftey in NFL history (Pat Watkins) was listed at 6-foot-5 and he was drafted in 2006 by the Dallas Cowboys.
His height and weight put him in such a unique category. Nasirildeen didn’t start receiving playing time until his sophomore year where he blew away the Seminoles. He finished the 2018 season with 91 tackles and one interception.
However, his best season in college was in 2019. He recorded 101 tackles (the first Seminole to record 100+ tackles in a season since 2014), three forced fumbles, two interceptions and three pass breakups. Nasirildeen is also the first Seminole to record multiple 17-tackle games in a season since 1990.
Although he might be overlooked in the draft, can he fit into Dallas’ scheme?
Dallas Cowboys
Yes, he can fit right into Dallas’ defense perfectly. The Dallas Cowboys only have three safeties on their roster, so they can use another one. Nasirildeen can bring something that lacks in the Cowboys’ secondary and that is size. A 6-foot-4, 220-pound saftey chasing down running backs and hitting receivers is something that the Cowboys can desperately use.
Nasirildeen brings energy and athleticism to the field on every down, so the Cowboys should think about selecting him. Out of high school, Nasirildeen played four positions, saftey, wide receiver, tight end and linebacker. If the Cowboys want to, they can even swap him at linebacker as often as they want.
A major reason the Cowboys might love Nasirildeen is due to his run-stopping skills. His explosiveness puts him in such positions to make tackles in any scenario. Although he doesn’t have blazing speed, his size and athleticism can speak for him.
If it wasn’t for Nasirildeen missing most of 2020, he could have been considered an early second-round pick. However, if the Cowboys can select Nasirildeen in the third round, this would be a solid selection for them for years to come.
Featured Image Courtesy of Tomahawk Nation
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