Cowboys Draft Talk: A Game-Changer at DT?
By Reid Hanson
The Cowboys are looking to add playmakers to their defense and Baylor DT, Andrew Billings, looks like he could be a game-changer.
The Cowboys have a chance at adding some top-end talent this April in the NFL Draft. They have needs on the defensive line and they the fourth overall pick in a defensive lineman-rich draft. What’s not to like?
With Greg Hardy likely on his way out and Randy Gregory suspended for four games (and probably more given he hasn’t stayed clean in years and his next failed test comes with almost a year suspension), edge rushers are of particular need to the Cowboys this offseason.
But what if the Cowboys address the 1-technique tackle with one of their first two selections instead?
First of all, Andrew Billings is not your average 300+lb nose tackle. If he was, the Cowboys would likely have no interest in him early in the draft. Rod Marinelli values the role of the 1-technique DT but he doesn’t necessarily value the player himself.
The 1-technique DT is a blue collar position that demands the dirty work but rarely sees the glory that results from said dirty work. The position plays more two-gap defense than any other linemen in Marinelli’s system and takes more abuse as a result. For a full breakdown of the 1-technique DT and his responsibilities with the Cowboys, check out the Related Article below:
Related Story: Explaining the Cowboys' 1-Technique
For all of the devaluation, the 1-technique DT is still a critical component of the Cowboys defense. And remember, Andrew Billings is not your average 1-technique DT.
Andrew Billings, 6’1” 311lbs, is arguably the most powerful player in the NFL Draft this April. The weightlifter/offensive lineman turned defensive tackle won Big 12 co-defensive player of the year honors in 2015. He led Baylor with 15 tackles for loss and racked up 5.5 sacks in the process.
While those numbers are impressive on their own, they are nothing short of amazing considering how often he played 2-gap defense in the middle of the Baylor line. 2-gap defense essentially removes the attacking nature and replaces it with a read-and-react assignment that rarely allows for opportunities for backfield plays. But that clearly didn’t stop Billings last year.
Billings simply bench-presses his opponents while diagnosing the plays, effectively controlling both A-Gaps in the process. He plays low to the ground and bull-rushes with enormous power. He’s what I like to call “Fat-Guy Quick”, meaning he’s that rare big man who moves swiftly on his feet.
It’s not very often a 1-technique DT could garner draft grades placing him anywhere in between 15 and 40 but that’s exactly what scouts are valuing him at now. He’s fully entrenched in the conversation of Robert Nkemdiche and A’Shawn Robinson making him a possible trade-down option for the Cowboys later in the 1st round or possibly a wait-and-see option at the top of the second.
Andrew Billings is particularly attractive because of his yet-to-be-realized potential and the fact that he’s only 20 years old. We talk a lot about drafting players with second contract potential but someone like Billings is so young and talented he actually has third contract potential.
Andrew Billings has a very rare combination of size and quickness that could make him a game-changer at the DT position for the Cowboys. He would be an asset against the run as well as the pass and could easily stay in on passing downs making plays by collapsing the pocket up the middle.
Exact value will change between now and draft day but as of now Billings looks like he would be well worth the Cowboys 2nd round pick should they address DE in the first round or trade back to add additional picks in the second.
Next: Is This Edge Rusher the Perfect Fit?
Andrew Billings is young, powerful, and a proven playmaker. He’s getting better every day and multiple scouts think he has All-Pro potential at the next level. He’s far from a traditional Cowboys pick but he’s far from a traditional player.