Sport DFW
FanSided

Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft 2.0: Free Agency Edition

By Daniel Ruppert

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MARCH 16: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (L) and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence before (R) Errol Spence Jr takes on Mikey Garcia in an IBF World Welterweight Championship bout at AT&T Stadium on March 16, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MARCH 16: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (L) and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence before (R) Errol Spence Jr takes on Mikey Garcia in an IBF World Welterweight Championship bout at AT&T Stadium on March 16, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next

Round 3 – Khalen Saunders – Defensive Tackle – Western Illinois

With the amount of defensive tackles the Cowboys have already brought in, there are plenty of names they could be looking at around the third and fourth rounds. While I kept wanting to take Daniel Wise (who I did in a few drafts), Saunders was available more often. Defensive line help is a huge need for the Cowboys, and Saunders is a high ceiling player who can contribute early.

Saunders has some power to throw off blockers and does really well to locate the ball and burst toward it. It doesn’t matter if it is the quarterback or running back, he will track the ball and go after whoever has it. Watching his tape he is willing to pursue down field as well as toward the backfield. When Saunders jumps off the screen, he jumps off the screen like Aaron Donald did. I am not saying he is Donald, I am saying when he makes a play it shows up immediately like Donald’s college tape did.

Saunders has some technique issues he will need to work on. He played in FCS, so he could use his athleticism and strength to overcome some of these issues. However, he showed up well at the Senior Bowl, so that should help the assessment. As part of a Marinelli rotation, his strengths should shine and he will contribute early. If you don’t remember Saunders is the 320 pound lineman who did a backflip.

Other Picks: Daniel Wise, Mecole Hardman, and Kris Boyd.

Home/Dallas Cowboys