Dallas Cowboys Final 7-Round Mock Draft
By Ryan Ratty
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1: Anthony Barr, Defensive End, UCLA
The Cowboys deploy a 4-3 defensive scheme and having instinctive defensive ends on the edge is a must. The Seattle Seahawks also deploy a 4-3 defense and the reason why their defense has been so successful in recent years is because of their defensive line. When the defensive line is getting consistent pressure on the quarterback, it makes it easier for the secondary to defend their opponents and create takeaways.
Dallas lost their leading sack rusher in Jason Hatcher to the rival Washington Redskins and they decided to cut ties with all-time Cowboys’ history sack leader in DeMarcus Ware. They did re-sign Anthony Spencer and they signed Henry Melton to a conditional four-year contract in free agency, but both players are coming off freak knee injuries. By drafting Anthony Barr out of UCLA, the Cowboys would get that 5-technique defensive end that they need. Barr is a top-10 talent who could fall to the Cowboys in the middle of the first round because of his thin frame. With proper coaching from Rod Marinelli, Barr could easily become one of the league’s best pass rushers.