2B THURSDAY APRIL 23 2020 Sports STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

ON THE AIR pressed with everything that he’s done and his path. Impressed with suspended Smith, I’ve always admired him from afar. Very impressive THURSDAY’S TV / young man, and I’m look- RADIO Cowboys await his reinstatement ing forward to working NFL with him.” 2020 NFL Draft: round 1, 7 p.m., In addition to looking to ABC, ESPN, NFL stance abuse policy. His “Aldon has been in the known to take a risk on a reinstate Smith, the Cow- BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR. reinstatement application is process of re-entering as an troubled star, Smith signing boys are seeking to bring [email protected] being reviewed by the active player in the NFL for with the Cowboys should back a second defensive league. several months now,” be linked more with the end, , who FRIDAY’S TV / RADIO The Defensively, the Cow- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones team’s new head coach. the league said in February HORSE RACING have an idea how newly- boys intend to use a 4-3 said Tuesday in speaking Earlier this year, McCar- also violated its substance Trackside Live, 3 p.m., NBCSN signed defensive end — base with the ability to publicly on Smith for the thy was visiting his daugh- abuse policy. NFL and currently suspended — switch to the 3-4 scheme, first time since the team ter in Los Angeles, which is Jones said the team will 2020 NFL Draft: rounds 2-3, 6 will fit into and they see Smith as a signed him to a one-year where Smith was training be patient and respect the p.m., ABC, ESPN, NFL new coach Mike McCar- designated pass rusher who deal earlier this month. “I at the time. Smith was process but declared that thy’s defensive scheme. can wreak havoc on oppos- would say first-hand that I working out and rehabbing both players are adhering NBCSN is on DirecTV/220, Dish/159, However, what they do ing offensives from either know that he is very dili- at Jay Glazer’s Unbreakable to the protocols necessary U-verse/640, FiOS/90, Time War- not know is when, and if, the end or outside line- gent in his work to do the Gym and is part of the for reinstatement. “I ner/31, Charter/80 he will be reinstated by the backer positions. Team things the NFL looks at to Merging Veterans and wouldn’t dare get into NFL. Smith has not played management has been reinstate. It was important Players Program that the where the league is and in the NFL since being impressed with Smith’s to us to look eye to eye and coach is helping to fund. how they will go about this placed on an indefinite renewed commitment and see where we are with our “I was up there on a process for both of those FROM PAGE 1B suspension in 2015 for are supporting him in the conscientiousness.” personal nature,” McCar- players.” violating the league’s sub- process. Although Jones has been thy said. “I was very im- PROUD loss, including 16.5 sacks. FROM PAGE 1B cerns about his future. surgery. His condition He closed his prep career In 2016, Vander Esch involves the narrowing of with 29 tackles for loss, missed half of the season the spinal canal. including 13 sacks, as a ENGEL with a neck injury. He He was supposed to be senior and headed to Tex- played all of the ‘17 sea- ready in time for all foot- as A&M as a four-star ways cooperated. son, and the Cowboys ball activity by the start of prospect. It’s 2020, and the Cow- followed their history and training camp. With the At A&M, Madubuike boys’ best young line- took the risk by using their coronavirus effectively had an impressive sopho- backers are a point of first-round pick on LVE in shutting down the world, more season in 2018, concern when one year the 2018 draft. no one knows if camps finishing with 40 tackles, ago when they were the In 2018, it all worked. will start on time. 10.5 tackles for loss and foundation of the entire LVE was one of the NFL’s The Cowboys are hop- 5.5 sacks. Last season, he defense. top rookie defensive play- ing that the setbacks that led the team in TFLs (11.5) They are two promising ers. RON JENKINS AP both Smith and LVE suf- and sacks (5.5) and de- young players who came And Smith, after he If the Cowboys want to improve their defense, Leighton fered in 2019 are minor, clared for the draft. to the Cowboys after in- played in all 16 games in Vander Esch (55) and (54) returning to their and that they are what “I felt like I had nothing jury issues in their colle- 2017, made a visible dif- 2018 form will solve many of their issues. they showed in 2018. left that I wanted to ac- giate careers, Smith at ference with the 2018 Because the Cowboys complish,” Madubuike Notre Dame and LVE at squad. He was dynamic. have so many other needs, said. Boise State. He made plays at the line, five-year, $64 million terceptions, and 26th in they can’t address the Madubuike has since In 2018, Smith looked and in space. He played extension in the offseason, turnovers. It was an aver- position high in the this been focused on boosting fully healed from the torn like a guy who was expect- and for the second consec- age defense that did not year’s draft. his draft stock as much as ACL he suffered in the ed to be a top 10 pick. utive year he started all 16 make plays. If Smith and LVE return possible. He had a stand- Fiesta Bowl in January of In that 2018 season, the games. After a solid perform- to the form they displayed out performance at the 2016. The gamble the Cowboys’ ranked sixth in While the ance in Week 1, LVE never in 2018, it may solve many combine, running a 4.83- Cowboys took to select the NFL in points allowed, numbers increased, the looked right. On Oct. 20, of the Cowboys’ problems second 40-yard dash and him in the second round and 16th in turnovers plays did not. Something 2019, he had a “nerve on defense. But if they are repping the 225-pound of the ‘16 draft hit. forced. The team won the was off. The run defense issue” in his neck. He the second coming of bench press 31 times. Coming out of Boise NFC East, and advanced suffered, and Smith strug- would miss the final seven Carter and Lee, the Cow- More than what he did State, LVE’s injury was a to the NFC divisional gled shedding blocks and games of the season. boys have major problems at college and the com- constant source of spec- round. was routinely taken out by In January, he had ahead. bine, though, Madubuike ulation, and that some But in 2019 something opposing blockers. surgery on his neck. For a believes his best playing teams said they would not changed. The defense ranked tied football player, there is no Mac Engel: 817-390-7760, days are ahead of him. draft him because of con- Smith agreed to for last in the NFL in in- such thing as a minor neck MacEngelProf As The Athletic’s NFL Draft analyst Dane Bru- gler said, “Overall, Madu- buike isn’t a refined player FROM PAGE 1B (7-9) – , WR, gles (9-7) – , CB, LSU: The Seahawks right now, but he is a pow- Alabama: John Elway adds LB, LSU: The Eagles add continue to rebuild their er-packed athlete with some juice to the offense to an already stout front Legion of Boom second- twitched-up muscles to MOCK DRAFT with the fastest receiver in seven on defense. ary. Fulton has a big up- win the point of attack, the draft. 22. side. projecting as a three- to protect the QB. 10. Cleveland Browns 16. Atlanta Falcons (10-6) – , WR, 28. Baltimore Ravens technique tackle with 5. Miami Dolphins (6-10) – , (7-9) – Kenneth Murray, Clemson: The Vikes will (14-2) – Yetur Gross-Ma- upside.” (5-11) – , LB, Clemson: The Browns LB, Oklahoma: Atlanta get use the Bills’ pick to re- tos, DE, Penn State: The Added Madubuike: “I QB, Alabama: Miami add to their defense with a productive tackler in place . Higgs Ravens get some pass rush haven’t even started didn’t tank for Tua to play the athletic and versatile Murray to bolster a de- is the best contested-ball help to match a strong scratching the surface of it safe now. They go all in Simmons who can play LB fense that was 27th in catcher in the draft. defensive tackle haul in how great of a player I can on the best QB in the draft, or FS. points, 20th in yards. 23. New England Pa- free agency. be. I played well at A&M, despite injury concerns. 11. New York Jets (7-9) 17. Dallas Cowboys triots (12-4) – Jordan 29. Tennessee Titans but it’s not who I really 6. Los Angeles Char- – Ceedee Lamb, WR, Okla- (8-8) – K’Lavon Chaisson, Love, QB, Utah State: The (9-7) – A.J. Terrell, CB, am yet. It gives me more gers (5-11) – Justin Herb- homa: The Jets let Robby DE, LSU: C.J. Henderson Patriots make a move to Clemson: The Titans get room to improve.” ert, QB, Oregon: The Anderson go in free agen- was off the board so the replace Brady with this some much-needed sec- That is why one of the Chargers have to get a cy and get a real No. 1 in Cowboys opted for the talented, but raw devel- ondary help on defense in 32 teams is going to view future QB and they were the talented and explosive second-best rusher in the opmental prospect. Terrell who should have a Madubuike as a big-time going to take whatever one Lamb. draft. 24. long career. prospect, potentially wor- the Dolphins didn’t. 12. 18. Miami Dolphins Saints (13-3) –Grant Del- 30. Green Bay Packers thy of a first-round pick. 7. Carolina Panthers (7-9) – , WR, (5-11) – , OT, pit, FS, LSU: Delpit’s slide (13-3) – Josh Jones, OT, It’s more likely Madu- (5-11) – , OT, Alabama: The Raiders get Louisville: He ran the ends in a perfect spot as he : A 45-game start- buike hears his name Alabama: The Panthers are the best route runner in 40-yard dash in a blazing stays at home in New er in college, Jones now called in the second a year away from getting the draft in Jeudy and hope 5.1 seconds at the com- Orleans and gets to play in has the honor of protecting round, but the draft is their but they he fares better there than bine. Now he will be front of family. Aaron Rodgers in the twi- known for its unpredict- lock up their franchise left . rushed to protect Herbert. 25. Minnesota Vikings light of his career. ability. tackle. 13. San Francisco 19. Las Vegas Raiders (10-6) – , CB, 31. San Francisco Madubuike projects at a 8. Arizona Cardinals 49ers (13-3) – Javon Kin- (7-9) – Ross Blacklock, DT, LSU: The Vikings fill a 49ers (13-3) – Bryce Hall, premium position in the (5-10-1) – Andrew Tho- law, DT, South Carolina: TCU: As Dallas knows, much needed hole after CB, Virginia: A long and NFL these days as a three- mas, OT, Georgia: The The 49ers maintain the D-line coach Rod Marinelli losing Trae Waynes and physical who is technique defensive tackle Cards got their franchise mantra of keeping what’s likes to draft defensive Mackensie Alexander in a willing tackler, built in with the ability to create QB last year in Kyler Mur- strong strong after dealing lineman. He’ll be the first free agency. the image of Richard Sher- an inside pass rush. ray. Now they get him DeForest Buckner to Indy. Horned Frog selected. 26. Miami Dolphins man. “Justin is so physical, so some long-term protection. 14. Tampa Bay Bucca- 20. Jacksonville Jag- (5-11) – Denzel Mims, WR, 32. Kansas City Chiefs twitchy, so strong, and I 9. Jacksonville Jaguars neers (7-9) – C.J. Hen- uars (6-10) – A.J. Espino- Baylor: The Dolphins got (12-4) – , CB, say at times violent,” (6-10) – Jeffrey Okudah, derson, CB, Florida: The sa, DE, Iowa: Originally their quarterback and left Alabama: The Chiefs final- Texas A&M coach Jimbo CB, Ohio State: The Jags Bucs have focused a lot on the LA Rams’ pick, the tackle. Now they secure a ly invest in the cornerback Fisher said in a video have traded away Jalen offense in free agency with Jags will select a combine No. 1 receiver in the explo- position, hopefully upgrade posted by the school. “He Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. Tom Brady. Now it’s time disappointment. But watch sive Mims. the weakest spot on de- has the ability to create so They need help at corner- to help the defense. his tape. He can play. 27. Seattle Seahawks fense. much leverage with his back, badly. 15. 21. Philadelphia Ea- (11-5) – Kristian Fulton, athleticism. He can bend. He can run. Great pass rush skills inside. I think he’ll have a great pro ca- FROM PAGE 1B tential No. 1 cornerback the draft to get either Jones said. “That’s very reer.” like Florida’s C.J. Hen- player. And if neither are doable. And the communi- derson is at the top of available, they may opt to cation between us in the Drew Davison: COWBOYS their wish list. move to down in the first draft room is excellent. 817-390-7760, But is cornerback their round and collect an addi- We have the ability to @drewdavison Jerry with Will, Mike and “But we’re working biggest need? It depends tional pick. communicate. I have a myself all in one room or really hard, trying to build on who’s left on the board Other players on the direct line with Mike. I one meeting room or a consensus not only with and what may be offered Cowboys’ radar in the first have a direct line with meeting with one of us on our overall board, but terms of a trade. round include Alabama Stephen. We have direct the phone, we have our ultimately getting to a “Show me the draft receiver Jerry Jeudy, Ala- lines with each other. We lines to one another,” point where we’ll have a board, show me where we bama cornerback Trevon can see what moving Stephen Jones said. “I consensus when it’s either are, show me what we’re Diggs, LSU cornerback down entails, the risks and think everybody can have our time to make a trade, doing at that particular Kristian Fulton, Alabama the players we might miss their opinion ... At the end move back or move up or time,” Jerry Jones safety Xavier McKinney to move down, whether how it always works is pick a player,” Stephen quipped. “Show me what and Clemson cornerback that’s justified to what we Jerry will put all of that Jones said. you’re offering for that A.J. Terrell. need. We have the ability into his computer and he So what are the Cow- pick and if there’s a corner Making a trade is a to do all of those things.” ultimately makes the final boys going to do with the there, I’ll show how big a certain possibility and the And then it just comes call.” 17th overall pick on Thurs- must it is. The point is: Cowboys are comfortable down to Jerry Jones mak- Stephen Jones said 99 day night? The only way to answer they will be able to con- ing the final decision on percent of the time there The team believes it has that is hindsight.” duct it while being in dif- his computer at home. is a consensus on who done a good job filling Outside of Henderson, ferent locales. Alone. should be picked. If there needs in free agency so the Cowboys could take “We have the ability to is a dissent, then Jerry they can take the best LSU defensive end K’la- figure the trades and share Clarence E. Hill Jr.: Jones will come in and be player available, but there von Chaisson, but they that with each other as 817-390-7760 the final arbiter. is no question that a po- may have to move up on we’re on the clock,” Jerry