5 Dallas Cowboys who’ve become expendable since the NFL Draft
By Reid Hanson
DT, Trysten Hill
Age: 22
Trysten Hill is known as a “Rod Marinelli Special” around these parts. The troubled lineman with untapped potential was pet project of Marinelli. It was Marinelli who lobbied for him to become the top pick of last season’s draft and Marinelli who convinced everyone he could break through Hill’s personality and bring out the best in the talented lineman.
Not only was Marinelli unable to produce results with Hill, but Marinelli is now off in Las Vegas – meaning Hill’s biggest advocate is no longer around to lobby for him.
Hill wasn’t just a disappointment last season, he was almost entirely inconsequential. The 6-foot-3, 308lb DT was only active seven games last season. In 121 snaps he logged a forgettable four solo tackles and one tackle for loss.
Hill was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft to serve as the eventual replacement to Maliek Collins inside at the 3-technique. But when Collins left this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys signed Gerald McCoy to take the vacated role. And on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, the Cowboys further proved their lack of trust in Hill, by drafting Neville Gallimore to play the 3-tech behind McCoy.
Neville Gallimore at 82 is really good value. Got first round buzz early on in the process. Surprised he fell this far.
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTuls) April 25, 2020
Ran a 4.79 40-yard dash at 304 lbs.
Huge upside at three technique.
It seems odd to give up on a second round player after just one season but we can’t fall victim to the sunk cost fallacy, especially when a new (and veteran) coaching staff is now in Dallas. Woods and Dontari Poe are basically locks at 1-tech while McCoy and the rookie are locks to make the team at 3-tech. If Dallas keeps a fifth DT he’s going to have to show something to the new coaching staff.
What a difference a year makes. Last year’s prize of the draft is this year’s possible odd man out.