It’s time to start looking at potential draft picks for The
Dallas Cowboys. The Boys went 12-4 in 2014 but they have room to grow if they
truly want to be great. In this series I will preview five positions of need
for 2015. Remember, this is all before Free Agency has begun and some of these
needs may be filled by re-signing players or by going out and signing free
agents. Let’s get started with part 1 of 5: Defensive Tackle.
I have six players listed as potential players for the
Dallas Cowboys. I have split them into two groups, 1st rounders and
late rounders.
At pick #27, the top notch players will be off the board,
but that doesn’t mean there won’t be value at 27. This draft is loaded with
defensive linemen and the Cowboys may take a flyer on one of these at pick 27.
Malcom Brown, Texas, 6-4 320
Brown had a statistically great season with 13 tackles for
loss and 6.5 sacks. He looks like exactly what the Cowboys need at 6-4 320. He
possesses good quickness and instincts. High character guy as well, married
with two kids. Lined up next to Tyrone Crawford in Rod Marinelli’s defense
could be scary.
Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma, 6-6 334
The numbers, 7 tackles for loss and 2 sacks don’t look like
1st round numbers but the athleticism displayed by Phillips is why
he is this high on most draft boards. He does have some prior injury issues
with his back, but the raw talent is something Jerry Jones loves in players. He
is another player that could replace Kelvin Hayden and play the 1 technique for
Marinelli.
Michael Bennett, Ohio State, 6-2 288
Smaller than both Brown and Phillips, he is more likely to
play the 3 technique which is currently held by Tyrone Crawford, but the
Cowboys desperately need more pass rush help and as a rotational player and
pass rushing specialist he could be worth the pick. His explosiveness led to 14
tackles for loss and 7 sacks.
The late round picks are good rotational players and can
help round out a good defensive front.
Here we look at players available in rounds 5-7.
Christian Covington, Rice, 6-3 295
Chucky Hunter, TCU, 6-1 305
Xaviar Williams, Northern Iowa, 6-3 309
Each of these players has a similar set of skills. Both
Hunter and Covington are not as explosive as the 1st rounders, but
that doesn’t mean they can’t be good NFL players. Williams is from a smaller
school where he played against inferior competition. The Cowboys always like to
go after small school players and Williams had good numbers (14 TFL and 8
sacks) at Northern Iowa. Covington battled some injuries in his career at Rice,
but was consistently able to blow past defenders when healthy. Hunter displays
great leverage and initial burst, something the Cowboys lacked from their front
four at times.
We shall see if any of these players find their way in for a
pre-draft visit from the Cowboys. Stay tuned for my next installment, Defensive
End’s.
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