Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Cowboys' draft targets at DT
By Tim Kavanagh
The Dallas Cowboys didn't make a change at HC this offseason, but there are a number of new faces in the mix, including DC Monte Kiffin, who is going to be installing a new defense using many of the same players. Not everyone will be back, of course, and one position where the club may invest some draft capital to give Kiffin the necessary pieces is at defensive tackle.
As Senior Bowl week rolls along, Carlos Mendez of the Star-Telegram provided a glimpse into some DT possibilities for Dallas:
"The Cowboys want a big, fresh defensive tackle for the 4-3. They can get a look at five possibilities, including two blue-chippers, Sylvester Williams of North Carolina and Kawann Short of Purdue, who are rated right below the top four DTs in the draft -- Star Lotulelei of Utah and juniors Johnathan Hankins of Ohio State, Sheldon Richardson of Missouri and Sharrif Floyd of Florida [none of whom are in Mobile]. There are three other defensive tackles for the Cowboys to watch up close, including John Jenkins of Georgia, Jordan Hill of Penn State and Everett Dawkins of Florida State."
Floyd was still on the board at No. 18 for the Cowboys in Mel Kiper Jr.'s mock draft, but Kiper shipped them a different prospect at another position of great need:
Mel Kiper, Jr.
Mock Draft 1.0"The Cowboys had an uneven season on the offensive line, and UNC's Jonathan Cooper will provide an upgrade immediately. This is a complete guard, a player who is exceptional at delivering blocks and moving in tight quarters, and he moves extremely well for the position. He can deliver an initial blow to eliminate an interior defender and then move easily to the second level where he can line up linebackers and safeties and block in space."
