D'Angelo Ponds: Cowboys' Second-Round Trade-Up Target

0:00On April 17, Dallas Cowboys got a real headache at cornerback heading into the draft. Chavon digs is out the picture, Deron blends nursing a foot injury, and their young guys like Chavon, Rev. Jr. and Kaelin Carson ain't quite ready. They need a speed demon to lock down those quick receivers, and one name popping off the board is D'Angelo Ponds from Indiana. Jude's 5 feet 9, 182 pounds, and blazed a 4.36 in the 40. Ponds started hot as a freshman at James Madison with 15 pass breakups, and then leveled up at Indiana where he's been the top graded corner by PFF. Since 2024, he stacked awards like defensive MVP in the Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl, turning his side of the field into no-fly territory. Ponds are buzzing about his game-changing vibe. He reads quarterbacks eyes like a book, jumps routes for picks, and plays physical despite his size. Thanks to that crazy vertical leap, he's a special team's beast too, always sniffing

1:01the end zone, which could light a fire under the Cowboys secondary that's been missing that edge. Scouts point out his short arms and height might give him fits against big NFL receivers, plus he gambles sometimes and needs work on tackling and slot work. He fits like a glove in New DC Christian Parker's scheme, with that twitchy speed and quick reactions they crave for aggressive coverage. If the Cowboys won Ponds, expect a second round trade-up since he's projected there. This high motor kids a proven baller, who stays in every play and pulls down footballs like a magnet, could be the spark to get Dallas's D-back coming, strong.