Dallas Cowboys Complete 7-Round Mock Draft V1.2: Prioritizing Needs
By Reid Hanson
Round 5 Pick 176: Kendall Joseph – LB – Clemson
Kendall Joseph is another high value selection at this point in the draft. The Clemson linebacker has experience playing in a top program against top competition. He’s a leader on his defense and appears to be true NFL-caliber talent.
His speed is the most notable attribute. He has good sideline to sideline speed and has a knack for crashing into the backfield via narrow passage ways. At 6’0” 235lbs he’s not ideally built and can get swallowed up by blockers. As such, he usually works to avoid contact from blockers altogether, preferring to run around rather than through.
At the very least Joseph can be a backup WILL for the Cowboys. But I see him as someone with the ability to also play the MIKE. The Cowboys have their starters in Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith next season and we added Darius Leonard with the first fourth round pick already. This is about depth and special teams more than anything.
Joseph is a good college player with NFL skills. He’s going to have to prepare better because the hesitation he showed at Clemson isn’t going to fly at the next level. But all in all, Kendall Joseph is good safe pick.