Dallas Cowboys Draft: 10 Defensive Tackles and their Potential Fit

Dre’Mont Jones, Ohio State

What’s Good: Hand Usage, Creativity, Instincts

What Ain’t Good: Consistency, Pad Height

Jones has some really good tape making his combine showing really perplexing. He doesn’t play slowly nor does he look so heavy. At 281 pounds, a 5.12 40 yard dash and a 31.5 inch vertical jump don’t go very far in assessing one’s quantifiable athleticism.

But those concerns don’t seem to exist much in his play. Jones shows the necessary burst to get off the line and attack the lineman. His hand usage and pass rushing repertoire helps him get past his man easily, that is when he uses his leverage correctly. Numerous times Jones would stand up too tall out of his stance and he’d lose the power to get past his man.

Many players don’t get low enough to drive past offensive linemen, but when that happens they can still hold themselves in place. Jones seems to lack the lower body strength that gives him the balance to stay put when he’s “lost his battle.” Jones will sometimes blow past people or push them back, but when he’s standing straight up offensive linemen will push him back.

Jones has the film to make him an early round prospect and he has the motor and instincts you love to see from a guy at his position. Some questions about his pad height, and as a result, his consistency continue to surface at his film but that’s nothing some strength training couldn’t fix.

If Jones were to wear a star on his helmet, No. 58 is the spot for him. He has the potential to be a disruptive 3 technique even without the “athletic upside.” He is more refined than other pass rushers in this draft and he has the intensity and motor teams like the Cowboys will love from their players.