The Cowboys have been on a mission to find edge rusher help after losing Randy Gregory to the Denver Broncos. They took a step toward filling that hole on Friday by signing former first-round pick Dante Fowler to a one-year deal.

The Fowler signing isn't a long-term answer for the Cowboys and their pass rush so they'll need to add another piece in the NFL Draft. The good thing is there are a lot of options in this year's draft. In a recent three-round mock draft by Pro Football Focus, they have the Cowboys taking Minnesota edge rusher Boye Mafe with the 24th overall pick.

Per PFF:

"Mafe made himself some serious cheddar in the pre-draft process. He had the highest pass-rushing grade of anyone in the week of Senior Bowl practices then put together an outstanding combine performance for a 260-pounder. With Randy Gregory walking, the need is there in a big way."

A breakdown of Mafe's athleticism via Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network:

"Mafe is as explosive as advertised on the field. He sports a torrid first step off the line, accelerating upfield quickly. His sheer explosiveness allows him to shoot through lanes and destroy blocking angles, and his closing acceleration, combined with his length, makes him difficult to evade as a pursuit defender.

"As explosive as Mafe is, he’s not just a straight-line athlete. He has the lateral athleticism to veer across gaps and manipulate leverage at a moment’s notice. He’s also a twitched-up athlete who’s surprisingly sudden for his 6’4″, 255-pound frame. Mafe has a ton of potential energy stored within his frame on any given snap. He can use that twitch to generate displacement and explode around the edge."

Mafe redshirted his true freshman season in 2017. After only a half-sack a year later, Mafe recorded three sacks in 2019. COVID shortened the Golden Gophers' season in 2020. However, Mafe managed to register four-and-a-half sacks and five-and-a-half tackles for loss.

Mafe finished his collegiate career on a high note in 2021. He racked up 34 tackles (10 tackles for loss) and seven sacks on route to garnering second-team All-Big Ten honors.

The Cowboys have needs at left guard and linebacker that could be addressed first in the draft. However, Mafe is an interesting name to remember when it comes to possible edge rush options.

Why the Cowboys and Mafe work

As mentioned, the Cowboys lost Randy Gregory to the Broncos. Dante Fowler is an experienced player who has produced under Dan Quinn in the past, but he's also been inconsistent throughout his career. Dorance Armstrong has potential and has flashed, but he's only on a one-year, prove-it deal.

To quote the true cliche: You can never have too many pass rushers in the NFL. Drafting Mafe gives the Cowboys not only another player to throw into 2022's rotation, but it gives them someone to rely on for the next four years at a low cost.

And if Mafe develops into the player the experts say he can be, then the Cowboys would add yet another young building block to their defense.

Feature image via Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports