As things stand right now, the Dallas Cowboys have already upgraded their defensive line from a season ago. Not only do they have Antwaun Woods and Trysten Hill returning, but they also signed Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe to further improve the unit. You may disagree, but that’s a pretty solid group on its own but in no way should it stop them from trying to further upgrade the position.
The Dallas Cowboys will likely try to find more defensive tackle depth at some point in the 2020 NFL Draft. When and where that happens is the ultimate unknown right now, however we can pretty much pencil in a DT in at least one of the seven rounds. With that in mind, I decided to put a list together of which DT prospects I believe are the best fits for the Cowboys in each round.
Let’s take a look…
Round 1 – Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Javon Kinlaw is the consensus No. 2 defensive tackle in the 2020 draft class and could be in play for the Dallas Cowboys with Pick 17. He has a pro-ready body and possesses some elite physical traits, but his film is highly inconsistent and less productive than expected. There are also concerns about his long-term health (knee tendinitis). The Cowboys haven’t drafted a DT in the first-round since 1991 (Russell Maryland) and I doubt that changes this year despite Kinlaw’s immense upside.
Round 2 – Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
There are several options available here for the Dallas Cowboys, but former Texas A&M DT Justin Madubuike is arguably the best fit. He projects as a three-technique in the Cowboys 4-3 defense and would provide some much-needed depth at the position. He is a violent, twitched up DT who has proven to be a disruptive force from the interior of the defensive line. His explosive quick first step has allowed him to make a living on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
Round 3 – Jordan Elliott, Missouri
Jordan Elliott is a versatile defensive tackle who can play the one or three-technique in the Dallas Cowboys 4-3 defensive scheme. He has as much upside as any DT in the 2020 draft class, but he needs to play with better bend and pad level in order to reach his full potential. He would be a rotational player capable of playing up and down the Cowboys DL as a rookie, but has the potential to become a starter as early as Year 2 with a little more refinement.
Round 4 – Leki Fotu, Utah
Leki Fotu (6’5″, 330) is a big bodied, space eating defensive tackle prospect to projects as a nose tackle or one-technique in the Dallas Cowboys 4-3 defensive scheme. He was a two-year starter at Utah and did a lot of the dirty work in the middle of their defensive line to free up his teammates around him. He is a rare athlete for his size, but he may be nothing more than a gap plugger in the NFL because he seems to have limited upside as a pass rusher.
Round 5 – McTelvin Agim, Arkansas
McTelvin Agim is a four-year starter at Arkansas, spending his first three seasons playing defensive end before getting kicked inside to defensive tackle as a senior. He projects best as a three-technique in a 4-3 scheme, but due to his relatively newness to the position he’s a work in progress. He reworked his body to make the position switch to DT and still maintains his athleticism, but he needs to add some functional strength and improve his technique in order to hold up in the middle.
Round 6 – Malcolm Roach, Texas
Malcolm Roach was a four-year starter at Texas and was utilized as a defensive end and hybrid linebacker in Todd Orlando’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme. Roach played out a position at UT and projects better as a three-technique in a 4-3 defensive scheme. He is an active player with a relentless motor, but he needs to learn to play more under control. He has promising ability to earn a rotational role, however he is short armed which could hurt him a little at the next level.
Round 7 – Bravvion Roy
Bravvion Roy was a three-year starter at Baylor as the nose tackle their 3-3-5 defensive scheme. At 6’1″, 320 pounds, Roy possesses a wide, squatty frame and projects as a one-technique in the Dallas Cowboys 4-3 defense. His surprising athleticism and quickness off the snap of the ball immediately puts stress on the center, as does his relentless motor. He is still really raw and his lack of length could hurt him at the next level, but he could earn a rotational role as a rookie.
