Dallas Cowboys Draft: Trysten Hill Chosen in Round 2 of 2019 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys addressed their biggest need with Central Florida defensive tackle Trysten Hill in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Dallas Cowboys ignored the pre-draft babble about their biggest needs, some outlets screaming for a safety, others going so far as to clamor for another wide receiver.

To be clear, the Dallas Cowboys have no defensive tackles under contract beyond the 2019 regular season. Factor in how many rushing yards this defensive front gave up in a playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams just three months ago and it’s safe to say that this was, by far, the biggest need for America’s Team.

Now, feel free to speculate all you want about safeties, tight ends and water boys, for all I care.

Your Cowboys took care of business in the second round with the 58th selection.

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Trysten Hill is a surprisingly athletic interior lineman who should be able to contribute right away. He doesn’t necessarily need to start, but his presence should be felt when he’s on the field. He’s the kind of defensive tackle I refer to as a ”guard dragger,” a big man who’s quick enough and strong enough to make even bigger guys playing offensive guard have to grab onto anything they can in going for a ride into the opposing backfield.

Hill doesn’t have the athleticism of David Irving, but he might one day remind us of Warren Sapp given his nice blend of bulk and speed. He doesn’t have the mass of a guy like Dexter Lawrence, who I was pretty infatuated with leading up to the draft. The Cowboys just don’t pick interior defensive linemen that large in their 4-3 base – they never have, in fact.

Trysten Hill might not have faced the same level of competition some fans would prefer, but my trust goes to defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and his reputation for getting the most out of his defensive front – few to it any better and Hill was absolutely one of Marinelli’s favorites leading up to the draft. Hill was one of 30 college propsects to visit The Star in Frisco, Texas and it’s clear he made a positive impression.

The Dallas Cowboys don’t have a deep history of drafting defensive tackles early in the NFL Draft. I can’t remember anyone of note since Russell Maryland was selected first overall in the 1991 gathering, and I’m not sure he would have been selected had Raghib Ismail not decided to buck the NFL in favor of playing in that other league up in Canada.

dark. Next. Dallas Cowboys Draft: Amari Cooper or Johnathan Abram

The Dallas Cowboys may not be done with the defensive line in this draft – again, there’s nobody under under contract on this entire roster beyond next season, and it’s certainly time to get younger, cheaper and hopefully better.

Trysten Hill is the first big step towards that end.

Published on 04/27/2019 at 02:14 AM
Last updated at 04/27/2019 at 02:14 AM

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