Dallas Cowboys Draft: DE Joey Bosa’s a No-Brainer
By Reid Hanson
If top pass-rusher, Joey Bosa, is available to the Dallas Cowboys at #4, his selection is a no-brainer.
It’s no secret the Dallas Cowboys need more help in the pass-rush department. Even if Greg Hardy returns in 2016 (which is looking doubtful), the Dallas Cowboys must address the lack of pressure they brought in 2015.
Rod Marinelli’s defense relies heavily on the front four creating consistent pressure without the assistance of the blitz. The 1-gap attack of Marinelli’s rushmen values aggressive defensive linemen with natural pass-rush skills, making a player like Ohio State defensive end, Joey Bosa, a perfect fit.
Fresh on the heels of a pass-rush dominated Super Bowl, edge rushers have never been so valuable. This realization is great news for the top pass-rusher in the Draft, Joey Bosa, but potentially bad news for the team that picks fourth, the Dallas Cowboys.
Bosa, 6’5” 275lbs, is far and away the best pass-rusher in this spring’s draft. The 4-3 defensive end offers the complete package: He’s a run-stopper and a pass-rusher. He can get around the edge, stunt inside, and bull-rush. He can beat blocks with his powerful hands or he can avoid the block altogether with his athleticism.
The only problem is…he might not make it to four.
The Dallas Cowboys will have some competition for a Bosa. The Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and San Diego Chargers all pick before the Cowboys and we all know – everyone could use another pass-rusher.
Mock drafts are extremely premature at this point but they do offer a ballpark valuation on the soon-to-be NFL rookies. Joey Bosa has been linked to all of the top-four teams in the draft and this past weekend’s Super Bowl did little to dissuade an investment in a pass-rusher.
As the Denver Broncos just taught us, a dominant pass-rush can make up for a litany of deficiencies elsewhere. The Dallas Cowboys know they must continue to look to the draft to upgrade their 25th ranked pass-rush and Joey Bosa could be just the guy to do it.
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Joey Bosa isn’t an overly dynamic edge player but that shouldn’t hurt his top-five value. He’s one of the most impressive upper-body rushers in recent years. His hands are violent, his technique and strength are dominant, and his ability to get off blocks (provided he keeps them away from his body) translates to the NFL level.
For the Dallas Cowboys, Joey Bosa is a Day 1 starter. He can play either the left or right side of the line (much like Cowboys sack leader, Demarcus Lawrence) and be an asset against the pass or against the run. Note: Randy Gregory is still the highest potential pass-rusher on the Dallas Cowboys but both Bosa and Lawrence are safer bets to be double-digit sack players while Gregory still holds a significant level of risk.
After reviewing his strength and low pad level, it’s even possible a player like Joey Bosa could play as a 3-technique defensive tackle in certain packages (nickel and dime). He’s a player without any notable weakness and could fit nearly anywhere in Rod Marinelli’s defensive line rotation.
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Some people are going to overthink the situation and knock Bosa down because of he’s not a top-end quick-twitch edge rusher but for every bit he lacks in the edge lean, he makes up for in power and ability to beat double-teams. Joey Bosa is a going to be a great player for someone next season and if he’s stll available at pick #4, the pick should be a no-brainer for the Dallas Cowboys.