How a fifth-round draft pick climbed the NFL depth chart
In short: Orlando Scandrick entered the NFL as a projected fourth-round pick, yet he became a cornerstone for the Dallas Cowboys. From record-breaking collegiate blocks to navigating complex league suspensions, his decade-long professional journey illustrates the intense physical and mental demands of elite football.
After a standout career at Boise State University, where he set a school record with four blocked kicks in 2007, Scandrick entered the 2008 NFL Draft. Despite a thumb injury that prevented him from performing the bench press at the Scouting Combine, his speed helped him finish fourth in the 40-yard dash. This performance helped him secure a spot in the fifth round, as the Dallas Cowboys traded for the 143rd overall pick to select him.
Scandrick's tenure in Dallas was marked by both rapid ascent and significant setbacks. He initially competed for a role on special teams but eventually secured a starting position as a nickelback. By 2013, he had moved up the depth chart to become the starting right cornerback. His career also faced scrutiny in 2014 when a positive test for MDMA led to an initial four-game suspension, which was later reduced to two games following a revision in the league's drug policy regarding performance-enhancing substances.
The physical toll of the game was evident through several major injuries. In 2015, a training camp practice resulted in a torn ACL and MCL, and in 2017, he underwent surgery for a broken hand. Despite these hurdles, Scandrick played 125 games for the Cowboys, accumulating 422 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and eight interceptions before moving on to play for the Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Orlando Scandrick
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