Inside The Star
What I like about the draft is the potential to find hidden gems, players who aren’t dominating headlines but end up making a difference.
When I think about the Dallas Cowboys, that idea always brings me back to the same spot on the roster: the secondary.
It’s been an issue for too long. Not because Dallas lacks talent, but because mistakes keep showing up at the worst times. Miscommunication, late reactions, or guys trying to do too much instead of doing their job.
That’s why the Arizona Wildcat safeties stand out to me as I look deep into the draft.
I’m not chasing star power here, I’m looking for players who could help the defense and make it easier to watch that side of the ball play.
The defense needs players who understand where they’re supposed to be and don’t turn one breakdown into a long touchdown. How many times did we see that last season?
Arizona has two prospects who fit that description in Genesis Smith and Treydan Stukes.
The more I look into these two, the more I see traits Dallas could use on the backend.
Genesis Smith stands out to me because his game feels controlled. He’s usually lined up right, he sees plays developing, and he doesn’t panic when things speed up.
Arizona trusted him in multiple roles, and I saw that trust from the coaches when I watched some of his Big 12 games.
Watching Smith feels quiet in the best way. He keeps plays in front of him, takes clean angles, and doesn’t chase something that isn’t there.
After watching the Cowboys give up too many explosive plays because someone wasn’t on the same page, that kind of steadiness matters.
Stukes brings a different energy.
He’s confident, physical, and comfortable attacking the football. The interceptions get the attention, but what really separates him is his versatility.
He can play safety, slide down into the box, and he excels at nickel corner.
That matters in Dallas, where we watched them get burned too many times across the middle.
The nickel spot isn’t a luxury anymore, it’s a starter position in today’s NFL.
Stukes looks comfortable inside, handles traffic well, competes at the catch point, and isn’t afraid to get involved against the run.
He plays like someone who expects to make a play, not just react to one. That confidence shows up snap after snap.
This isn’t really an either or conversation. It depends on what problem you want to fix first.
Smith feels like the stabilizer because he cleans things up, keeps everyone aligned, and lowers the temperature of the defense.
Stukes feels more like a chess piece. He gives you options with his flexibility and matchup capabilities especially inside.
So, one settles things down.
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