Dallas Cowboys 2022 Draft Grades: Fan anger/coach jubilee/time will tell

With the 178th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select

John Ridgeway, DT

Arkansas

6-foot-5 321lbs

John Ridgeway fills a position of need the Dallas Cowboys notoriously neglect. Unlike Osa Odighizuwa and Neville Gallimore, Ridgeway is a 1-tech NT type who absorbs blocks and protects linebackers. He’s not a playmaker but rather someone who facilitates playmakers.

Brugler gave him a 3rd-4th grade so at pick 178, this is tremendous value. He gives the Cowboys flexibility to use him at 0-tech and run odd man fronts rotating with Quinton Bohanna as well.

Grade: A

With the 176 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select

Damone Clark, LB

LSU

6-foot-2, 239lbs

Damone Clark wasn’t supposed to make it this far. Clark is a tough guy linebacker who hits holes hard and plays with violence. His 4.57 speeds translates well to the NFL and the only reason he slipped this far is because of injury that will likely cause him to red shirt most of 2022.

This was a spectacular value buy at a position of need. The Dallas Cowboys only have Parsons, Jabril Cox, and Leighton Vander Esch at LB. They need to add competition to the mix and Clark should be competition (and not just a depth guy). There’s risk with his injury but many are expecting a full recovery which would make this a steal.

Pick 176 Grade: B+