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Dallas Cowboys Draft: 10 Defensive Tackles and their Potential Fit

By Adithya Prabakaran

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Devin Cochran #77 of the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Devin Cochran #77 of the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame

What’s Good: Hand Usage, Burst, Athleticism

What Ain’t Good: Power, Run defense, Consistency

Tillery has potentially worked his way into the first round of the draft after a solid showing at the Combine. The athleticism combined with his tape gives teams reasons to draft him early. He has the right balance of upside and college production teams are looking for especially in the end of the first round.

For our sake, let’s say he’s available well into the second round. Tillery would be a nice option for the Cowboys at 58 in the event they wanted to surprise every Cowboys fan with a defensive tackle. He has the pass rushing moves you like to see but seems to lack a general consistency.

Tillery proved he has the burst at the combine running a 4.93 second 40 yard dash and a 32 inch vertical jump. 32 inches doesn’t seem like much but he also is 6’6″ and 295 pounds. Tillery has the athleticism you’d like to see at the position and he also has the pass rushing arsenal that could make him an effective rusher early on in his career.

However, his game looks a bit one dimensional. He gets moved around easily when run defending. He looks like he doesn’t have the leg strength or power to drive or at least counter the movement of two offensive linemen blocking him. I understand when facing a double team it isn’t going to be easy to be effective, but Tillery just gets turned around too easily and too often.

When pass rushing versus one lineman, he uses his speed and hands to get past the guy. When run defending, he just isn’t afforded the same opportunity. He will either have to get stronger or learn how to use his leverage better once he gets into the league.

Even with a lack in the power department, Tillery will still make for a productive defensive tackle at the next level because he has a good pass rushing foundation that he’s built. Now if he can fix his run defense….

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