Dallas Cowboys rookie sleeper Kavon Frazier

The Dallas Cowboys found a gem in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft in Central Michigan safety Kavon Frazier. What kind of impact could he have?

There are always reasons why players fall in the NFL Draft, whether it’s level of competition, ability, ceiling, or something else. That said, there are also players who slip through the cracks that might not have all the flashy athletic ability or accolades of others, but they are just naturally good at football.

Such is the case for Central Michigan safety Kavon Frazier, a sixth round pick of the Dallas Cowboys who is going to come in and compete for a reserve position as a rookie as well as a spot on special teams.

As a senior at Central Michigan, Frazier racked up 108 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, an interception, and a blocked punt. He put on quite a show for NFL scouts over the course of his career, but many felt like his greatest flaw was a byproduct of his greatest strength.

Because of Frazier’s ability to attack downhill and play in the box, he was at times a liability in coverage or didn’t display top flight instincts in that regard. That’s not to say he didn’t make plays on the back end, but because of his aggressive nature, it wasn’t uncommon for him to be caught out of position.

The Cowboys allegedly had a fourth round grade on Frazier, and though every other team in the draft allowed him to slip down the board as well, they felt like they got a steal in the sixth round. That’s certainly tough to argue.

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At 6-0, 217 pounds, Frazier has phenomenal size and strength to be able to contribute on special teams units immediately. He showed off some elite athletic ability at his pro day with a 4.58 40-yard dash and a 40.5 inch vertical jump along with a 10-foot-8-inch broad jump.

There’s no doubt he has the football skills and athletic ability to contribute to the Cowboys right away, which is why I think he was one of the draft’s top steals. This is the kind of player who can carve out a role early on, as well as earn the trust of coaches through making big plays on special teams.

NFL.com compared Frazier to Barry Church, who we all know has played really well for the Cowboys as an unheralded prospect.

If Frazier can compete and make an early impact, he will prove to be one of the draft’s top hidden gems.

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