(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
Other than Osa Odighizuwa, it seems the Cowboys have struggled over the last few years to find impact defensive linemen, especially those who can stop the run. Which made me wonder, are defensive linemen a particularly difficult group for scouts to assess when predicting their ability to successfully make the transition from the college level to the NFL?– William Goehring/Brevard, NC**
Mickey: More than that, I think some of that depends on the resources used to draft defensive tackles, and for the most part the Cowboys haven't put a high priority on using first and second round picks for that position. Now I know, Mazi was a first rounder, and he did improve this past season and expect him to make another jump this year. But remember, by the time he was drafted with the 26th pick there were no more players left with first-round grades. Now don't overlook Marshawn Kneeland as last year's second round pick. Had he not gotten injured, he would have been starting when they were playing without Sam Williams (uh, still say a good pick), DeMarcus Lawrence and those four weeks without Micah Parsons.
Then in 2021, not bad picks there, a third for Osa Odighizuwa and a fourth for Chauncey Golston. And don't forget Neville Gallimore in the 2020 third. They just couldn't afford from a cap standpoint to re-sign him, and think you saw him standing out for the Rams in the playoffs. Usually, you get what you spend and my guess they will spend more this year to not only keep Osa but draft if available a DE or DT in the first two days next month.
Tommy: I think it depends on what kind of defensive lineman you're looking for. Sometimes, you'll see teams who pick talented defensive lineman but then utilize them in ways that take them away from their strengths, which limits their potential. I think some teams mix that up sometimes, and that takes away from what they can do on the defensive line.
For the Cowboys, I think they've got the right pieces in place compared to other teams and now just need to add some more depth, something I think is very possible in this upcoming draft with a deep defensive line class.
Mailbag
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