(Editor's Note: With just one month until the start of the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28, the staff of DallasCowboys.com intends to preview the landscape of possible Cowboys draft picks – from the top of the first round to the bottom of the talent pool. Today's featured player is UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark.)
Name:Kenny Clark
Position:DT
College: UCLA
Height/Weight:6-3/314
Honors:Clark recorded 75 tackles, six sacks and 11 tackles for loss to earn first-team All-Pac 12 honors in 2015. He was also named third-team All-America for his efforts. In 2014, he was a second-team All-Pac 12 selection with 58 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Key Stat:Any heralded defensive lineman is going to boast sacks and tackles. One thing that stands out about Clark is his penchant for disrupting the pass. He batted down a team-best five passes last season.
Where He's Projected: Chalk up Clark as another one of this draft's many impressive defensive tackle prospects. He's not widely-regarded in the same breath as the elite talents like A'Shawn Robinson, Sheldon Rankins or Jarran Reed, but he's one of many projected to go within the top 50 or so picks – along with the likes of Vernon Butler, Andrew Billings and Austin Johnson. If the Cowboys want Clark, they'd likely have to take him at No. 34 overall.
How He Helps the Cowboys: This team just gave $18 million to a new one-technique in Cedric Thornton, and three-technique Tyrone Crawford signed a $45 million contract last September. Because of that, defensive tackle doesn't look like the huge need it used to be. Having said that, you can never have too much depth and Clark would instantly upgrade the rotation, helping the Cowboys up their production in the process.
Scout's Take:Does a nice job of getting push up the field. Tends to catch blocks but that might have to do with the scheme. There is some two gap in the way he plays. Funny how he plays in his stance, like a frog. It has him crouching low making it difficult for him to move at times. Will lower his head and push. Needs to be a step quicker getting off blocks. Has trouble when blockers are around his feet. Does a nice job of working down the line to make stop. Aware for the screen, not often fooled blocking scheme. Some power in his punch. Good club move. Needs to shed quicker. Tries to throw blockers. Can make plays on the back door. Can pursue. Plays with hustle and effort. – Bryan Broaddus
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