Dallas Cowboys: 5 First-round targets in the 2018 NFL Draft at midseason
By Randy Gurzi
3. Vita Vea, DT — Washington
Fans have been clamoring for a run-stuffing defensive tackle for years. The Cowboys just haven’t seemed to want to get one. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli places a lot of emphasis on having a good one-technique tackle, but the team seems to think that’s a guy you can find off the scrap heap or the end of the draft.
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They’ve tried re-treads like Nick Hayden and Stephen Paea. Then they spent late picks on players such as Joey Ivie and Jordan Carrell. None of that has been a great solution, and they’re now relegated to using 2016 undrafted free agent Brian Price at the spot.
Dallas could finally stop the free agent musical chairs once and for all and find them a strong space eater like Washington’s Vita Vea. The massive nose tackle is listed at 6-5 and 340 pounds, but has surprising athleticism for that size which allows him to also contribute as an occasional pass rusher up the middle.
While his quickness is a plus, what makes him so great is the power he plays with. Vea takes up blockers like no one on the Cowboys’ roster can and he’s also considered a high-motor guy — which Marinelli loves.
Opponents of such a pick may say that the defensive coordinator won’t use a guy like Vea on third downs, making him a two-down guy in Dallas. That shouldn’t even be a concern as anyone who’s paid attention this season though knows how important it is for the Cowboys to find a guy who can affect the running game, because they don’t need to worry about third-down passing situation if they can’t get teams into the.