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Cinco de Buy Low: UDFA looks to show Cowboys the draft isn't the only place to find a star
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- Cinco de Buy Low: UDFA looks to show Cowboys the draft isn't the only place to find a star
The Dallas Cowboys made a tough decision. With a ton of holes to fill, as well as the usual concerns about depth at every position, there weren't going to be enough bullets in the proverbial gun to hit every target during the draft. The club didn't sign any veteran players at the safety position in free agency, moving the onus to address the position to the draft haul. With their nine selections this past April, the club didn't use a single one on the safety position, making it clear the idea was to run it back with the weapons they had, and hope the new coaching regime would be able to change their play.
The team didn't grab any collegiate talent until the UDFA period, where they named Syracuse safety Alijah 'Cinco' Clark. A transfer from Rutgers, Clark spent the last three seasons with the Orange before an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl put him on the radar of several NFL teams. Clark was a cornerback in high school, the No. 2 recruit from New Jersey in 2021, and survived a coaching change after he planted his feet in Syracuse. He won defensive MVP honors in the team's Holiday Bowl win over Washington State.
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Rundown
Dec 27, 2024; San Diego, CA, USA; Syracuse Orange defensive back Alijah Clark (5) intercepts the ball against Washington State Cougars wide receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy (80) during the second quarter at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
Position:Safety
Age:221
Height:6-foot-1
Weight:187 pounds
Hometown:Camden, NJ
High School:Camden
College:Rutgers, Syracuse ( Film Study Video )
Draft:2025 Undrafted Free Agent
Contract:Three-year contract (2025), $2.175 million
2025 Base Salary:$840,000, $234,000
Profile
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Alijah Clark #5 of the Syracuse Orange reacts to a stop during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Yankee Stadium on November 11, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Today's game marks the 100th anniversary of the contest played at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Clark's guaranteed money of $234,000 was the seventh-highest in all of the NFL, and is indicative of just how much the league thought of him. Normally guarantees only get that high when multiple teams are trying to sign a prospect. His scouting report speaks to his versatility as a DB, lining up in both safety roles as well as nickel corner and sometimes on the boundary, too.
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From Dane Brugler's The Beast :
Clark's speed, explosiveness and physical profile are more good than great, but he likes to play with urgency when driving on plays and arriving with pop. Though the hunger to make plays is there, he doesn't put himself in position to get his hands on the football often enough. Overall, Clark has the versatile skill set and toughness to compete for a nickel role at the next level, but his college tape leaves you wanting more from a playmaking standpoint. His upside on special teams will help his chances of sticking in the NFL.
The Cowboys know their top four corners for 2025, unless they make a move to save some money under the salary cap. Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson have been entrenched as starters, with Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell eyeballing Wilson's spot.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys player profile: No. 38 Safety Alijah Clak
