Dallas Cowboys: How Mike Nolan Affects the Draft
With the Dallas Cowboys hiring Mike Nolan to be the defensive coordinator, there are questions to if the Cowboys will go to a 3-4 defense, if so, how does this affect the draft.
The Dallas Cowboys introduced Mike McCarthy as head coach, replaced Rod Marinelli with Mike Nolan, moved on from Kris Richard, Jon Kitna (Noooo), and Marc Columbo (also noooo). What a week it has been. As the draft season starts to heat up, we have to wonder how Mike Nolan will affect the draft on the defensive side of the ball. Mike Nolan has coached both a 4-3 and a 3-4, but most of his success has been in the 3-4 scheme.
The Cowboys’ current roster is not really built to quickly switch to a 3-4 without tearing much of it apart. Adding in the obvious need for a safety and potentially a cornerback or two, they may run a hybrid for a season while they accumulate the personnel needed for a full switch. Either way, Nolan will affect the draft, but how is the real question.
The first way Nolan will affect the draft is by drafting or acquiring a bigger body defensive tackle. A switch or even hybrid to a 3-4 needs a bigger defensive tackle to eat some blocks. This draft has some of those, but the first really big bodied one show up in the third round.
Impact on the Draft
A player like Javon Kinlaw in the first round, who should be available when the Cowboys pick, is a guy who can do both, and do both well. Neville Gallimore in the second is another name to watch. Neither are all that big in the grand scheme but have the technique. Leki Fotu in the third is the first over 320 pound defensive tackle on the board.
If the Cowboys use more 3-4 they will need more linebackers that are able to cover on the outside. Currently Jaylon Smith is the only starting linebacker that would fit this mold. The other issue is the middle linebackers are a little on the smaller side. I think they are close enough to add some weight as needed, but more linebackers are probably needed. While this is not an early need necessarily, but could be something to watch.
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The secondary isn’t a huge change, but everyone knows the Cowboys need at least one safety, and depending on what they do with Byron Jones, could need at least two corners. If there are needs at corner, safety, and then linebacker and defensive line, that is a lot of picks on defense without even talking offensive needs.
Mike Nolan could be going to a 3-4, but it might take a season to fully transition. If they want to transition faster, there could be a lot of action in free agency in order to open picks for offense as well. This could mean they either franchise or transition Byron if they don’t re-sign him. The hard questions will be what they do on the defensive line.
Next. Dallas Cowboys: Top-5 Free Agent Defensive Tackles to Target. dark
Mike Nolan and Mike McCarthy have some questions that need to be answered and they need to answer them quickly. The draft is approaching and they have to make their board, but before that, they need to know what direction the defense is heading, and that starts with Nolan.
- Published on 01/14/2020 at 13:30 PM
- Last updated at 01/14/2020 at 10:14 AM