6 Texas A&M Aggies prospects who should interest Cowboys in 2023 draft

Texas A&M is a program that has been around since 1894 and has blessed the sport of professional football with numerous alumni who made their impact. Some of their most notable players at the next level include the likes of WR Dante Hall, LB Von Miller, WR Mike Evans and DE Myles Garrett, all of whom rank among of the all-time best at their position. Some former Aggies have also made their name in Dallas. That list includes current safety Donovan Wilson, TE Martellus Bennett, LB Dat Nguyen and CB Kevin Smith.

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys like Power 5 schools, having 42 of them currently on roster. With the storied history of Texas A&M and the talent programs at this level produce, there is a good chance the Dallas front office has their eyes on some Aggies. In our second installment of school spotlight, here are some names to watch for come next April.

Devon Achane

Sep 17, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane (6): Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Position: Running Back
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas
High School: Fort Bend Marshall
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 185 pounds
Class: Junior

Achane saw action early in his Aggie career with appearances in eight games and his debut against powerhouse Alabama. Even though he had limited snaps, Achane showed explosiveness averaging over eight yards a carry. As a true sophomore he’d get a consistent spot alongside current Charger Isaiah Spiller, averaging seven yards a carry on 130 touches with nine scores. This season put him on the map and as a junior he looks to lead the Aggies offense.

As a runner, Achane checks all the boxes. He is patient, waiting for blocks to develop and has very good burst and agility in the open field. He’s slippery and tough to bring down on first contact even though he is on the smaller side. He has not been used as much as a receiver but has looked solid when given the opportunity. He has deadly run after the catch ability. As a return man, he only has nine chances but brought one of those back 96 yards to the house as a junior and another 95 yarder this season.

In Dallas he is a direct Tony Pollard replacement given the fact Pollard is a UDFA after this season. The offense is currently in play-calling limbo with how players are used but Archane brings the exact same versatility and athleticism Pollard does on a new rookie contract. This is a name to look out for in the middle rounds of the 2023 draft.

Ainias Smith

Sep 17, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Ainias Smith (0): Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas
High School: Fort Bend Dulles
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 194 pounds
Class: Senior

Smith is a true senior and captain as a consistent contributor to the Aggies offense. He saw minimal production as a freshman being used primarily as a return man but became a mainstay in 2020 and 2021. In both of these seasons he’d haul in over 40 passes for over 500 yards and six scores, proving his consistency while also being the Aggies premier punt returner and occasionally used in running plays.

Built like a running back, Smith is an extremely smooth mover with excellent lateral and straight-line athleticism. Whether he catches a ball underneath, downfield or carries it out of the backfield he is intelligent and decisive with the ball in his hands, making him a big play just waiting to happen. He is not the most technically sound receiver but brings plenty of value else where while also showing promise as a receiver.

In Dallas, Smith would be a versatile piece on offense to get moved around similar to that of KeVontae Turpin as a return man and gadget player primarily who needs development to become a true wide receiver at the next level.

Layden Robinson

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Position: Guard
Hometown: Manvel, Texas
High School: Manvel
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 330 pounds
Class: Redshirt Junior

Robinson is a fourth-year junior out of Manvel, Texas who has played over 20 games as an Aggie. Prior to this season he earned pre-season All-SEC first and second team honors from the coaches and the media respectively while also being on the Outland and Wuerffel Trophy watch lists.

He has excelled as a run blocker, mostly due to his incredible size and strength. In pass protection there is room for growth as this is when his technical flaws are on show. If Dallas believes Tyler Smith is the long term answer at LT, combining Smith and Robinson would make running to the left extremely lucrative.

Jaylon Jones

Sep 17, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Jaylon Jones (17): Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Position: Cornerback
Hometown: Cibolo, Texas
High School: Steele
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Junior

Jones is a former 5-star and top-25 recruit from Cibolo, the hometown of current Dallas RT Terence Steele. He stood out as a true freshman, earning the hype that he garnered in high school. His play trailed off as a sophomore but he’s poised to start as the number one corner as a true junior.

In his first two seasons he snagged three interceptions but had 15 passes defensed and already has one this year. At well over 6-foot and 200 pounds his ball skills and athleticism are rare to see. Run defense is not always his forte so finding consistency in coverage and technique as a tackler would greatly improve his stock.

Jones would vie for the starting job opposite Trevon Diggs as outside corner. Anthony Brown is on the last year of his deal and the likes of Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright have not garnered a bigger role entering Year 2. Having two ballhawks could be a big risk for this Dallas defense but would also elicit high rewards.

Antonio Johnson

Oct 16, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Antonio Johnson (27). Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: East St. Louis, Illinois
High School: East St. Louis
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 195 pounds
Class: Junior

Johnson has been a dominant force since high school. He was a four-star recruit with a scary size-speed combination which led to one start in seven appearances as a freshman. He followed that up as a full-time starter as a sophomore, seeing time at both safety and the slot or nickel corner positions. He was a consistent force for the Aggies defense which led to an AP All-SEC Second Team selection in 2021 and watch list honors for the Jim Thorpe, Bronko Nagurski and Bednarik awards.

In his first two seasons he collected 93 tackles, nine for a loss with one sack, one interception, seven passes defensed and a forced fumble. His versatility allows Texas A&M to move him around as use him as their most vital defender. Give that he is on the leaner side, he is rarely utilized as a linebacker but rather a true defensive back that has the size and athleticism to matchup with tight ends, running backs and some receivers.

Dallas may have one of the deepest safety rooms in the NFL, however Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse are all out of contract within the next two seasons. Johnson would have to fight with preseason standouts Markquese Bell and Israel Mukuamu who could see increased roles in the near future. Dallas also has two promising practice squaders in Juanyeh Thomas and Tyler Coyle.

Johnson’ calling card would be versatility and DC Dan Quinn has made a name for getting the best from his guys making this a potential match made in heaven.

Demani Richardson

Oct 9, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Demani Richardson (26) intercepts the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide. Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Position: Safety
Hometown: Waxahachie, Texas
High School: Waxahachie
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 214 pounds
Class: Senior

Richardson is a Dallas-made dude through and through as he was born and raised a half hour from downtown. He made his name quickly in College Station, starting 11 out of 12 games he played in as a freshman and followed this with 20 more appearances in the next two seasons. Richardson has been the primary free safety for the Aggies but similar to Johnson, he gets moved all over. As a true senior he looks to anchor one of the most versatile and deadly secondaries in the country.

Richardson has been a consistent contributor for Texas A&M over his career. He hovers the five tackle per game mark and has shown the ability to consistently make plays in the backfield. His ball skills are also nothing to scoff at as he’s caught one interception and at least two pass deflections each season. He has even started the 2022 campaign hot with 13 tackles and two forced fumbles in three games, the latter matching his career total.

Dallas will need safety reinforcements in the near future and, similar to Johnson, Richardson would be more than capable. He may not possess the raw athleticism or physical attributes his teammate does but has proven to be a consistent performer at a high level. A player with his pedigree and skillset is the perfect partner for someone like Quinn and could find himself on the field early in his pro career.

Story originally appeared on Cowboys Wire