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Could Cowboys go DT in first round with Carl Davis?
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
As names of the Dallas Cowboys' national pre-draft visitors to Valley Ranch kept coming out, I took note that none of them were defensive tackles.
Iowa DT Carl Davis is an intriguing prospect with good size and quickness off the ball. Matthew Holst/Getty Images
It seemed to fit with the Cowboys’ philosophy since the switch to the 4-3 in 2013. They just don’t value defensive tackles in the first round. That’s why I’ve generally downplayed mock drafts that had the Cowboys selecting players like Jordan Phillips or Malcolm Brown in the first round.
But the Cowboys made a late addition to their pre-draft visitors last week by having Iowa’s Carl Davis stop by Valley Ranch.
In the Cowboys’ defense the three technique is the key position. Think of how well Jason Hatcher and Tyrone Crawford have played there the last two seasons. Crawford excelled there despite not having much practice time at the spot at all and is viewed as a cornerstone piece.
In the draft breakdown series about Davis, I wrote that I liked him more as a nose tackle than a three-technique. In the ESPN Insider breakdown of Davis, they gave Davis’s pass-rush ability an above average rating, however, they were concerned he had just 3.5 sacks. At the Senior Bowl, Davis flashed potential.
Crawford is a free agent after the season. The Cowboys would like to sign him to a long-term deal, but the best way to approach the future is to consider the worst-case scenario. Davis could offer the Cowboys position flexibility in 2015 and slide over to the three-technique in the future should Crawford not be retained.
At No. 27 in the first round, the Cowboys are at the mercy of the draft board. In all likelihood they will be picking a player with a second-round grade on their board in that spot. They tend to have anywhere from 15-20 names in the first round. Just because they get a second-rounder at No. 27 isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Travis Frederick had a second round grade and he was named to the Pro Bowl last year.
Could Davis be the pick in the first round Thursday? If the Cowboys are wiped out at running back, cornerback and defensive end, then he could be. His visit to Valley Ranch shows there is some legitimate interest.
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
As names of the Dallas Cowboys' national pre-draft visitors to Valley Ranch kept coming out, I took note that none of them were defensive tackles.
Iowa DT Carl Davis is an intriguing prospect with good size and quickness off the ball. Matthew Holst/Getty Images
It seemed to fit with the Cowboys’ philosophy since the switch to the 4-3 in 2013. They just don’t value defensive tackles in the first round. That’s why I’ve generally downplayed mock drafts that had the Cowboys selecting players like Jordan Phillips or Malcolm Brown in the first round.
But the Cowboys made a late addition to their pre-draft visitors last week by having Iowa’s Carl Davis stop by Valley Ranch.
In the Cowboys’ defense the three technique is the key position. Think of how well Jason Hatcher and Tyrone Crawford have played there the last two seasons. Crawford excelled there despite not having much practice time at the spot at all and is viewed as a cornerstone piece.
In the draft breakdown series about Davis, I wrote that I liked him more as a nose tackle than a three-technique. In the ESPN Insider breakdown of Davis, they gave Davis’s pass-rush ability an above average rating, however, they were concerned he had just 3.5 sacks. At the Senior Bowl, Davis flashed potential.
Crawford is a free agent after the season. The Cowboys would like to sign him to a long-term deal, but the best way to approach the future is to consider the worst-case scenario. Davis could offer the Cowboys position flexibility in 2015 and slide over to the three-technique in the future should Crawford not be retained.
At No. 27 in the first round, the Cowboys are at the mercy of the draft board. In all likelihood they will be picking a player with a second-round grade on their board in that spot. They tend to have anywhere from 15-20 names in the first round. Just because they get a second-rounder at No. 27 isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Travis Frederick had a second round grade and he was named to the Pro Bowl last year.
Could Davis be the pick in the first round Thursday? If the Cowboys are wiped out at running back, cornerback and defensive end, then he could be. His visit to Valley Ranch shows there is some legitimate interest.