Nick Coppola
The Dallas Cowboys have selected Oklahoma State linebacker Devin Harper with the 193rd pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s the second linebacker taken by the Cowboys after Damone Clark was taken with the 176th pick.
My initial reaction is that this is a strange pick. Dallas only needed one linebacker to add depth, and now it’s selected two. Maybe, they wanted a guy who was going to play this season since Clark is going to miss the 2022 season. However, I would’ve gone with either a safety or a running back here.
He had a great Pro Day, including a vertical jump of over 40 inches. He’s another good athlete and another project pick. But my problem is with the position, not Harper himself. I don’t think it was wise to go with another linebacker. However, Harper is a good player, so I don’t entirely hate this selection. Dallas is clearly going with players who have good traits and high athleticism.
Here’s how others reacted to the pick:
Marcus Mosher on Twitter: “With Damone Clark not likely to play this year, the #Cowboys needed some linebackers that could help on special teams.It’s why I do like the Harper pick here quite a bit. / Twitter”
With Damone Clark not likely to play this year, the #Cowboys needed some linebackers that could help on special teams.It’s why I do like the Harper pick here quite a bit.
Jonah Tuls on Twitter: “Devin Harper! 4.49 with a 40.5 vertical as an off-ball linebacker. Once again, Dallas swinging for the fences with high upside, traits-heavy prospects. Honestly one of my favorite drafts the Cowboys have had, from top to bottom, in a long time. / Twitter”
Devin Harper! 4.49 with a 40.5 vertical as an off-ball linebacker. Once again, Dallas swinging for the fences with high upside, traits-heavy prospects. Honestly one of my favorite drafts the Cowboys have had, from top to bottom, in a long time.
Jabril Cox is coming back from an ACL and didn’t get much action on D before the injury.
Damone Clark is red shirting for a herniated disk/spinal fusion surgery.
Leighton Vander Esch is on another 1 year “prove it” deal and seemingly a perpetual injury concern.
Davante Bond is a PS level player who is always hurt.
Luke Gifford is on a 1 year deal and more ST’s than LB.
Micah Parsons is better as a pass rusher than an off the ball LB, but is pretty good at that as well.
Selecting a healthy LB with Devin Harper’s traits was practically a must, not only for this season, but for next as well with all the 1 year deals and injury concerns. At this point, there’s no telling when or if Damone Clark will ever be 100% and if so, for how long.