5 Draft sleepers Dallas Cowboys fans need to know
Dallas Cowboys SLEEPER PROSPECT NO. 3 – LINEBACKER
LINEBACKER. Shaka Heyward. player. Scouting Report. 123. Pick Analysis. Duke.
One position the Dallas Cowboys truly need to address in the NFL Draft is Linebacker. They are currently functional at the position with the re-signing of Leighton Vander Esch and another year for 2022 selection Demone Clark.
The team will get Clark in his second season along with youngsters like Devin Harper, Devante Bond and Malik Jefferson. The problem is none of those names, not even LVE, are players you feel confident in being consistent throughout the season. Whether it’s due to talent, skill set, or injury history, the Cowboys need more playmakers at Linebacker.
Should the team not address the position at pick 58, 90 or 129 where the value seems to be the best, they could go with a productive guy like Duke’s Shaka Heyward.
Not only does he look the part and have the numbers to back it up, but also checks out character wise as a team captain in 2022.
In his time at Duke, Heyward collected 340 tackles, 32.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, four INTs and 11 PBUs. He has the frame and length Dan Quinn looks for at 6’3″ 235lbs and 34″ arms. Not to mention he never missed a game while at Duke. With LVE and Damone Clark being your top two at the position, a player with reliable health is much needed.
It’d also be an ideal situation for a player like Heyward. He’s a ramped up kind of guy who runs hot and could use a lesson in patience. Perhaps starting out competing for a roster spot or a role on special teams rather than stepping in on defense immediately can help him translate the off-field lesson of patience to his on-field play.