The Cowboys don't talk about being a 3-4 or 4-3 defense under Rob Ryan because in reality, they're both when not in their base three-man front.
That's why they don't have to be scheme-specific when considering a draftable player for their front seven.
"We are probably half and half if you really look at the ratio," team owner/GM Jerry Jones said. "When you've got that going for you, you can be pretty flexible when you are thinking about whether or not you need a big road grater at nose tackle. Or whether you don't have to have it. And really, by a lot of prodding on my part, I'm totally convinced Rob and Jason (Garrett) can go either way and feel good about what we are doing with three or four people down (on the line of scrimmage).
Asked specifically about Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe, a projected first-round pick who wowed scouts at the combine, Jones said, "I'm real impressed. I'm particularly impressed because he looks like a nose and has the skill and has some pass rush about him at the five-technique."
Jones wasn't saying Poe is definitely a target in the first round. But he did say defensive line could provide "good value" there, and the team isn't opposed to adding more depth.
The Cowboys already have a Pro Bowl nose tackle in Jay Ratliff, but again, Ryan can find ways to move guys around in different packages.
