In last year's draft the Dallas Cowboys decided to address their woeful run defense in the first round.
They took defensive tackle Mazi Smith out of Michigan. They come into this year's draft still needing to address their woeful run defense.
Smith is bordering on being a Taco Charlton-level – another Michigan defensive lineman drafted by Dallas – bust.
Drafted in 2017, Charlton was released two weeks into the 2019 season. He has the distinction of having the shortest-ever tenure for a Cowboys' first rounder not shortened by injury.
Smith isn't quite in that much jeopardy. Yet.
Partly because the Cowboys inexplicably had him drop 30 pounds before the season started.
His lack of bulk showed as he was constantly pushed around. As was the Cowboys' run defense in 2023.
The Cowboys are set at both ends of the line so the middle of the line remains an area of need.
It's one of many. But is it enough to warrant taking a defensive tackle in the first round?
In normal circumstances, probably not.
The Cowboys need a running back, wide receiver, middle linebacker, and help on the offensive line. A defensive tackle is well down the list.
But there is one player who might be there with the 24th pick in the first round.
If he is, the Cowboys may have another debate like they faced in the first round last year.
Sweat-ing It Out
So let's game this scenario out. Look, we've got nine days until the draft, you got anything better to do?
The Cowboys go on the clock at #24 – likely around 11 p.m. – and T'Vondre Sweat is sitting there.
The defensive tackle out of Texas is 6-4 and weighs 366 pounds. You literally need a fleet of bulldozers to move him out of the way.
Try running up the middle with him there and your offense is going nowhere fast.
Sweat is the top-ranked defensive tackle on the board. So, it's a match made in heaven for the Cowboys, right?
It would be were it not for a car crash last week in Austin.
Sweat was driving an SUV that was one of two cars involved in the wreck. The driver of the other car fled the scene.
Sweat remained at the scene and was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
In Texas, he faces a Class B misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
He's probably looking at probation and a fine at worst. But his accident comes just a few days after another crash in Dallas involving an NFL player.
Rice's Legal Woes Increase
Chiefs' receiver Rashee Rice was involved in a six-car crash – caused by a race between his car and another – that is looking at much more serious charges.
It's also drawn a multi-million dollar lawsuit. Not to mention a headache for the Chiefs organization.
Seriously, at some point these players need to get the memo and quit doing this stupid stuff.
While Sweat's incident was less serious, its still an issue. Are the Cowboys – or any other team – willing to risk paying a big contract to a player with a question mark like this hanging overhead?
His on-field talent says yes.
His decision-making off the field? Not so much.
Is Sweat The Thursday Pick?
It would be hard for Dallas to pass on Sweat if he's still there.
Most of the other top lineman in this year's class are edge players. The Cowboys have a surplus in that area.
I almost think they have to, especially if their top targets in the other areas of need are gone.
But if Sweat is gone too, or if they decide to pass on him, I could see them taking a defensive tackle later on instead.
In that scenario I'm looking at LSU's Jordan Jefferson.
At 6-3 and 313 pounds, Jefferson could help shore up the interior.
Especially if Mazi Smith has spent the entire offseason grazing at every buffet in the Dallas area.
And better still, Jefferson doesn't have an active court case on his itinerary as the draft starts.
