Former Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan is one of the best defensive linemen in the 2014 draft class--the Cowboys know that. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a fit for their system.
Jernigan is widely projected as a one-technique tackle. The Cowboys are looking for a three-technique. Of course, if they believe Jernigan can make the transition, he’ll be high on their big board. If not, they’ll likely pass on him, just as they passed on University of Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd a year ago.
“There’s a lot of defensive linemen that merit first round picks,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told 105.3-FM The Fan on Monday, via the Dallas Morning News. “If a player’s ceiling may be a one-technique, then it may be hard for him to make our first round.”
Most mock drafts have Dallas targeting a defensive lineman with their No. 16 overall pick. Just about all those that don’t have the team going after a safety, an idea that Jones and the Cowboys won’t dismiss.
“I think if a guy is high enough on the board, then you would take any position,” Jones said. “If he’s a merited first round pick and especially merited to be taken at the 16th pick, then we would consider it. I would say this, a safety is capable of being a first round pick and being a top half of the first round pick if he’s dominant enough.”
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