Jourdan Lewis lands with Cowboys in 3rd round after domestic violence arrest

Cornerback Jourdan Lewis played his way into early-round pick consideration with four strong seasons at the University of Michigan. A domestic violence arrest after the Combine was likely a strong reason why he landed in the back half of the third round with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys gambled on Lewis, who will have a hearing for one count of misdemeanor domestic violence in late July.

Lewis was a key figure in the Wolverines’ recent revival. The dynamic cornerback plays the pass well in man coverage, and his Big Ten tenure suggests he’s the kind of player defensive coordinators can leave on an island, even against top receivers. Though his 5’10 frame leaves him vulnerable against bigger wideouts, his innate ability to track and explode toward the ball made him one of the NCAA’s most impressive defensive backs.

Lewis’ ball skills make him a dangerous defender to throw near.

Over his last three seasons, Lewis has made only six interceptions but broke up 35 potential completions -- a rate of more than one per game. In 2016, opposing quarterbacks completed just seven of their 30 pass attempts to receivers he was covering. He changes directions well and mirrors receivers though the first move of their routes, offering little separation.

He’s strong in one-on-one coverage. While he’s small, he’s strong enough to prevent receivers from jamming him at the line of scrimmage in tight spaces and athletic enough to turn and run with No. 1 receivers downfield. That strength also helps him shed blocks and play an important role in run support, where he’s a steady tackler who rarely makes mistakes.

He played both in the slot and at right corner for Michigan, giving him the kind of versatility that will come in handy in the NFL. He also has the kind of work ethic coaches will love.

Lewis isn’t tall enough to consistently handle taller receivers, and his small frame will get him picked on in red zone matchups. He’s not as explosive an athlete as some of the other members of this stacked DB draft class, which didn’t help his draft stock this offseason.

When he gets beat, he cheats. Lewis was flagged 14 times in his last three seasons, and some of his most effective coverage comes on borderline plays where he’s begging to be flagged. NFL referees will be happy to oblige when he’s a first-year player in 2017. A double-move can leave him in the dust -- or drag a drive-sustaining penalty out of him.