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Draft Rundown
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Leading into the upcoming NFL Draft, which takes places April 28-30, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at several draft prospects, including some that could be potential fits with the Cowboys. Today's featured player is Abilene Christian wide receiver Edmund Gates.)
Name: Edmund Gates
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Abilene Christian
Height/Weight: 6-0, 190
Age: 24
Did You Know? Gates is the nephew of former Cowboys' running back/wide receiver James Dixon, who played three seasons in Dallas from 1989-91. Gates is also the cousin of current Cincinnati Bengals RB Bernard Scott, a former ACU running back.
Strengths: One of the fastest runners in the entire draft. Even with a tweaked groin that prevented him from working out at the Senior Bowl, Gates was able to run a 4.37 time in the 40-yard dash, tying for the fastest by any receiver, along with Ricardo Lockette from Fort Valley State. Gates was a big-play threat for one of the most prolific offenses in all of Division II football the past two years. In four seasons at ACU, Gates averaged 18.2 yards per catch, including a 17.9-yard average as a senior with 66 grabs and 13 touchdowns.
Weaknesses: Like any small-school player, there is always a question whether he'll be good enough to compete in the NFL. While Gates has shown he can run, he'll have to prove he can withstand the physical rigors of facing some of the toughest press cornerbacks in the NFL. Unfortunately for Gates, the groin injury that forced him out of Senior Bowl practices kept him from competing against some other future draft picks. Gates also had some off-the-field issues that stemmed from getting kicked off the basketball team at Tyler Junior College, but that hasn't been an issue during his days at ACU.
Sound Bites: On not being able to practice and play against a higher level of competition at the Senior Bowl because of the injury, "Yeah, I was upset. I really wanted to get out there and compete because that's what everyone says about me: 'Can he get out there and play with the big guys and can he hold up?' I thought I had a good first day but then re-aggravated my groin. I didn't get to perform like I wanted to."
Where He's Headed: Thanks to his 40 time at the combine, Gates has started to move up the charts. Different mock drafts have Gates going anywhere from the late second round, to the fourth round. What probably helps his cause is former ACU teammate Johnny Knox, a fifth-round pick of the Bears who has developed into a starting receiver and made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist during his rookie season.
How He Helps Cowboys: Gates would help the Cowboys because he brings a dimension they don't' have - and that's pure speed. Sure, guys like Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Roy Williams can all get down the field, but the Cowboys haven't really had a pure speed demon like this in quite some time. Even if it takes him some time to develop as an NFL receiver, having track-star speed still has plenty of advantages. In the middle rounds, taking a chance on a guy like this could have big benefits.
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Leading into the upcoming NFL Draft, which takes places April 28-30, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at several draft prospects, including some that could be potential fits with the Cowboys. Today's featured player is Abilene Christian wide receiver Edmund Gates.)
Name: Edmund Gates
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Abilene Christian
Height/Weight: 6-0, 190
Age: 24
Did You Know? Gates is the nephew of former Cowboys' running back/wide receiver James Dixon, who played three seasons in Dallas from 1989-91. Gates is also the cousin of current Cincinnati Bengals RB Bernard Scott, a former ACU running back.
Strengths: One of the fastest runners in the entire draft. Even with a tweaked groin that prevented him from working out at the Senior Bowl, Gates was able to run a 4.37 time in the 40-yard dash, tying for the fastest by any receiver, along with Ricardo Lockette from Fort Valley State. Gates was a big-play threat for one of the most prolific offenses in all of Division II football the past two years. In four seasons at ACU, Gates averaged 18.2 yards per catch, including a 17.9-yard average as a senior with 66 grabs and 13 touchdowns.
Weaknesses: Like any small-school player, there is always a question whether he'll be good enough to compete in the NFL. While Gates has shown he can run, he'll have to prove he can withstand the physical rigors of facing some of the toughest press cornerbacks in the NFL. Unfortunately for Gates, the groin injury that forced him out of Senior Bowl practices kept him from competing against some other future draft picks. Gates also had some off-the-field issues that stemmed from getting kicked off the basketball team at Tyler Junior College, but that hasn't been an issue during his days at ACU.
Sound Bites: On not being able to practice and play against a higher level of competition at the Senior Bowl because of the injury, "Yeah, I was upset. I really wanted to get out there and compete because that's what everyone says about me: 'Can he get out there and play with the big guys and can he hold up?' I thought I had a good first day but then re-aggravated my groin. I didn't get to perform like I wanted to."
Where He's Headed: Thanks to his 40 time at the combine, Gates has started to move up the charts. Different mock drafts have Gates going anywhere from the late second round, to the fourth round. What probably helps his cause is former ACU teammate Johnny Knox, a fifth-round pick of the Bears who has developed into a starting receiver and made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist during his rookie season.
How He Helps Cowboys: Gates would help the Cowboys because he brings a dimension they don't' have - and that's pure speed. Sure, guys like Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Roy Williams can all get down the field, but the Cowboys haven't really had a pure speed demon like this in quite some time. Even if it takes him some time to develop as an NFL receiver, having track-star speed still has plenty of advantages. In the middle rounds, taking a chance on a guy like this could have big benefits.