The Cowboys selected defensive tackle Mazi Smith in the first round of the 2023 Draft, over a year ago.
A year later, Dallas ought to select the same player in the first round of this draft.It is safe to argue that there was not much return on the significant investment made in the position with Smith.
Smith had just three game starts in 17 appearances.
In this forgettable debut campaign, he only racked up nine solo tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss.
When it counted most, the Cowboys’ defence suffered from this lack of output.
During pivotal defeats to the Bills, Cardinals, 49ers, and Packers, the Dallas run defence yielded an average of 200 running yards, or about 60 yards per rush.
Me neither, and that is a problem.
The only way to fix that problem is to keep hammering away at it.
They also lost DT’s Jonathon Hankins and Neville Gallimore to free agency, which puts a further hole in the position.
If Dallas walks away from defensive tackle because Smith had a bad rookie year, they could be in trouble.
Prioritizing defense in the 2024 Draft may be smart for Dallas, but especially at DT.
Lucky for them, there are two-star defensive tackles in this class who can save the interior of the defensive line.
This leads me back to the original point.
The Cowboys drafting a defensive tackle in the first round is a must, if these two guys are available.
Illinois DT, Johnny Newton
If you haven’t heard much about former Illinois Defensive Tackle, Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, you are missing out.
Newton is one of my favorite players in this draft class, as I have him ranked 6th amongst all players in the draft.
It also seems the Cowboys may have a similar interest.
The team watched him closely during Illinois’s pro day, and his draft stock is right in the range of their first pick.
Newton was the Big-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, tallying 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.
The Cowboys haven’t had a defensive lineman like him in a long time.
It is difficult to find a collegiate player who possesses more explosiveness, disruption, and raw hand strength than Newton.
This has the makings of an excellent interior run defender and pass rusher.
Drafting Newton might also relieve some burden on Smith because of his pass-rush skills. Smith could concentrate on becoming the run-stuffer he was selected to be while Newton could be the inner pocket pusher.
To put it plainly, without a truly great DT, the Cowboys’ defence might never be able to advance.
Texas DT, Byron Murphy II
Now, being as though he was a Longhorns star, you likely know more about Byron Murphy II than you do about Newton.
This could also be because Murphy is being rumored as a potential top-15 pick.
His talent is through the roof, and the Cowboys have noticed.
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