The Cowboys selected Arkansas Defensive Tackle John Ridgeway with one of their 5th-round picks, 178th overall, in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Ridgeway potentially brings much-needed size to the middle of the Cowboys’ defensive line. Recently coach Mike McCarthy said he is “the anchor” and is a little more athletic than he thought. He said he plays laterally down the line of scrimmage.
Something the Cowboys need help with is up the middle. He will have to work his way into the rotation. He is even still fighting for a roster spot. Ridgeway can lineup and do just about anything from 3-technique, a nose tackle, or a two-tech. The defensive tackles right now for the Cowboys are Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, Quinton Bohanna, and Trysten Hill.
He started his college career at Illinois State playing for the Redbirds and transferred to Arkansas for the 2021 season. Ridgeway had 39 tackles, four of which were for a loss and two sacks.
That is where my Knowledge of Ridgeway stops. I had to do some research on him and found some insight from a pro football network article that looks into players scouting reports before the NFL draft.
They said Ridgeway has impressing upper body strength. He does not always show good lower body power. He struggles to anchor against more powerful offensive linemen.
Despite that they said Ridgeway is not restricted to solely winning with power. The former Arkansas DT showcased some impressive technical attributes. He possesses a push-pull technique that he uses to get into the backfield.
I will focus on Ridgeway and hope he can make some more noise with the team and find himself competing for a spot in the coming months, and maybe we could see some more of him.
Let’s hope Dan Quinn can take his game to another level this season and find his way in the middle to help sure up the run defense.