Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft: No CBs? No Problem!
By Reid Hanson
Round 2, Pick 51
DT, Justin Madubuike
Texas A&M
Justin Madubuike is another pressure player who can fit multiple fronts. The 6-foot-3 304lb defensive tackle from A&M can play 3-technique in a 4-3 and 5-technique in 3-4. A true 1-gap player, he’s explosive through the B gap and a pressure player to groom alongside Trysten Hill.
Madubuike is technically sound. He has good hand work and footwork and even some counter moves. He’s nimble enough to be a high pressure player inside early in his career and as long as he keeps his motor dialed up, he has a chance at being a real difference maker in the NFL.
Interior Defensive Lineman QB Pressures in 2019
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) April 10, 2020
Javon Kinlaw: 26
Justin Madubuike: 26
Ross Blacklock: 24
Neville Gallimore: 24
Raekwon Davis: 21
Jordan Elliott: 21
Jason Strowbridge: 21
Derrick Brown: 20
Benito Jones: 19
McTelvin Agim: 18
Rashard Lawrence: 14
Davon Hamilton: 8
He’s a strong tackler and won’t be a liability against the run, but he’s going to earn his money attacking the middle of the pocket. As one of the most explosive interior players in the draft, Dallas gets good value for this pick.
Ideally, Dallas wanted to find a cornerback at this point in the draft, but all their favorite options in Round 2 were gone (except for Cam Dantzler) so they kicked the can at CB and went with the highest impact player they could find on defense.
Madubuike will be a rotational player for Dallas early. Gerald McCoy going to get the bulk of the snaps at 3-tech, but Madubuike is polished enough and strong enough to meaningfully contribute. He has star potential and could be a top-4 player on Dallas’ front within a year.