Most every NFL draft expert to release a mock draft thus far has the Cowboys selecting a defensive lineman with the 17th overall pick, and CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang is no different.
Rang’s latest was published on Tuesday, and he has Dallas selecting Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy.
“Tony Romo's issues in the fourth quarter pale in comparison to the full game bludgeoning that occurs weekly to the Cowboys' defense,” Rang writes. “Expect there to be significant turnover in personnel over the offseason should Dallas elect to keep their 4-3 alignment. Adding a versatile and athletic edge rusher like Ealy would go a long way towards adding some danger to the Dallas defense.”
At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, perhaps Ealy’s greatest asset is his versatility. He’s big enough to serve as a run stopper and fast enough to not only rush the passer, but occasionally drop into coverage. And with a line that was ravaged by injuries in 2013, versatility is a huge plus.
Rang has Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix--each of whose names have come up in connection with Dallas in past mocks--going 14 and 15, to the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively.
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