Dallas Cowboys 2014 NFL Draft Wrap-up

Oct.13, 2012; Boise,ID, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr (4) fumbles the ball after being tackled Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Demarcus Lawrence (8) during second half action at Bronco Stadium. Boise State defeated Fresno State 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Additions

OLB Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State University
As the 2nd overall pick of the 2nd round, many were caught off-guard by Dallas’s pick up of Lawrence. However, with the loss of DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys felt a hankering for another Demarcus to fill his place. At BSU, Lawrence was a pass rushing dynamo, recording 34 tackles for loss, 120 total tackles, 19 sacks and 7 forced fumbles. With the loss of Ware, Lawrence gives the Cowboys another pass rushing LB who can ravage the backfield. Although he can be aggressive at times, Lawrence combines the ultimate combination of physicality, speed, and fluidity. With such physical traits, the Cowboys really truck some gold with Lawrence. He’s a natural pass rusher who can use a multitude of moves and dekes and spins in order to get to the QB. With both Jason Hatcher and Ware gone, Lawrence most definitely will be used in order to rush the QB (something which he is extremely talented at). Expect Lawrence to leave in impact early. 

OLB Anthony Hitchens, University of Iowa
Originally from Lorain, Ohio, Hitchens has been known for the past two seasons in Iowa as a tackling machine. As a hawk eye, Hitchens went out and was able to register an average of 118 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss (13.5 came during his senior season), and 1.5 sacks per season. Where Hitchens is such a strong selection is in his overall pass rushing abilities and personality as a football player. He is willing to work hard and will most certainly battle for his position on the Cowboys opening day roster. At the moment on the Cowboys’ depth chart, he is listed behind Sean Lee. Although Lee is the for sure starter, Hitchens can eventually see some playing time at his designated OLB position. Hitchens is explosive and plays with a tenacity unmatched by many. Watch out for this kid, the plot certainly Hitchens in Dallas.

DT Ken Bishop, University of Northern Illinois and DE Ben Gardner, Stanford University
With the loss of Hatcher and D-Ware, the Cowboys desperately needed to fill the holes in their rush defense. The additions of Bishop and Gardner should most definitely help the Cowboys next season. For the DT Bishop, his college career saw him record 16.5 tackles for loss along with a total of 125 total tackles in his final seasons as a Husky at Northern Illinois. Although Bishop has some troubles with the pass rush, he is a very good run defender and can clog the holes in the middle for the linebackers to go through. Bishop provides the Cowboys with what they need most: run defenders. On the other hand, Gardner is more of a pass-rusher than Bishop. At Stanford, Gardner was able to record 35 career tackles for loss, 17 QB hurries, and 17.5 sacks. On the outside the Cowboys already have Demarcus Lawrence and George Selvie. If Gardner is lucky, he can show Dallas he could potential earn some playing time. He’s going to have to use his size and speed to his advantage to show he can truly be NFL-worthy.

OLB Will Smith, Texas Tech University
For the Cowboys last season, outside linebacker was a huge problem. Although Smith may be a 7th-round pick, he can still have the potential to work his way up to the starting role in the NFL. In his senior season, Smith was able to record 120 tackles (86 solo) along with 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, while adding an interception return for a touchdown. According to some scouts, he could bulk up more and do a lot more in terms of coverage. However, he does possess some good traits in that he is very quick off the ball and can find the ball carrier with relative ease and speed. although I do not expect Smith to replace Bruce Carter as weak side line backer, he still has the ability to be the understudy in the case Carter plays lack-lusterly during the first half of the season.

S Ahmad Dixon, Baylor University and CB Terrance Mitchell, University of Oregon
In 2013 the Cowboys pass defense allowed 286.6 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks (ranked 30th in the league), and 6 games where the Cowboys allowed QBs to pass for 3 or more passing touchdowns (5 of them of 4 passing touchdowns). Where the Cowboys needed a lot of help was in their passing game. While Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr were acceptable CBs, Mitchell adds another dimension to the Cowboys squad considering he did spend time under current NFL coach Chip Kelly at Oregon. Dixon should help up the Free Safety position, even though the Strong Safety position is really what needs the most help in my opinion. With these two acquisitions, the Cowboys better hope that they get lucky or have their current starters step up. This is Dallas after all.