Dallas Cowboys Draft: 5 Best Available Prospects on Day 3

Tommy Togiai, IDL, Ohio State

The Cowboys surprised a decent amount of people with the selection of Osa Odighizuwa in the third round. The realization of him being a three-technique generated a lot of frustration after feelings of there being a logjam at the position. Unlike the other players on the roster, Odighizuwa is a much better run stopper and is likely poised to have a better professional career than college career because there will be a clear usage plan in place for him.

Based on the contracts of players signed to anchor their defensive line at the one-technique position, someone like Togiai could be in play for the Cowboys? The Idaho native is a bit undersized compared play the 1-technique but his style of play doesn’t provide for any versatility to play anywhere else. He has great play strength, good competitive toughness, and solid athletic ability. Ohio State had a better defense when he was on the field.

He displays solid upfield burst and can leverage gaps and with his good play strength, solid agility, and good use of hands that allow him to stay square with his blocker on power and zone runs. He can blow up gaps with his good pad level and burst.

For his proficiencies as a run defender, the Buckeye is quite limited as a pass rusher. He currently relies on his solid foot speed and agility to win with speed. With his solid pad level and good play, strength can work. However, his lack of power and counter moves don’t stress interior linemen out of their pass sets leaving him unable to work around them.

The young three-technique defensive linemen could be aided by Togiai’s ability to take on double teams and just be the strong man inside allowing the other to take advantage of athletic mismatches. This could allow the explosive Hill, bendy Odighizuwa, or powerful Neville Gallimore to collapse the pocket. For once, interior pressure might be a thing in Dallas.