Dallas Cowboys 2022 7-Round Mock Draft: Dallas trades back and surprises
By Reid Hanson
Dallas Cowboys (Trade 155 and 176 for Pick 144)
Eyioma Uwazurike, DT
Iowa State
The Dallas Cowboys have yet to address their interior defensive line and decide to pull the trigger here on Eyioma Uwazurike.
While big pluggers like Jordan Davis and Blake Ridgeway are tantalizing in their ability to clog the middle, stop the run, and keep blockers off of ‘backers, the Dallas Cowboys notoriously do not value it. Unless someone amazing falls into their laps (Davis at 24), they simply don’t value the position as much as other teams.
Dallas typically goes for mobile options in the middle. They prefer players with good lateral movement. They want players who can pursue the backside and not someone who can be run away from. It’s a role Eyioma Uwazurike seems to be well equipped for.
Draft Note: Iowa State's Eyioma Uwazurike is the legitimately versatile DL you want your team to pick in the middle rounds.
— Chris Trapasso 🏈 (@ChrisTrapasso) April 2, 2022
6'6" / 315l. Good athlete. Very polished with his hands. Really brings it as a pass rusher from any spot. Incredibly long too. (longer than Jordan Davis).
Like Osa Odighizuwa and Neville Gallimore, Eyioma Uwazurike is an athletic big man who could be a force in a rotation.
At nearly 6-foot-6 and 320lbs, he has extreme length and inside/outside ability. Factoring in the standup pass rush ability of Parsons and Nik Bonitto, the Dallas Cowboys could play an increase in odd man fronts. They may not have a true 3-4 nose at their disposal (unless Quinton Bohanna makes that leap) but they do have a number of players capable of playing the 5-tech.
His overall conditioning is questionable but working in a rotation at DT, Eyioma Uwazurike can be an impact player relatively early in his pro career.