Cowboys: Plan for mid-round defender revealed

The Dallas Cowboys didn't have a flashy NFL Draft with a bunch of well-known selections besides first-rounder Mazi Smith. Instead, they made solid picks that filled needs and provided good depth.  One area that the Cowboys are stocked in is edge rushers. However, when Day 3 of the draft came around, Dallas picked Viliami Fehoko […]

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Aug 4, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn talks to players during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn talks to players during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys didn't have a flashy NFL Draft with a bunch of well-known selections besides first-rounder Mazi Smith. Instead, they made solid picks that filled needs and provided good depth. 

One area that the Cowboys are stocked in is edge rushers. However, when Day 3 of the draft came around, Dallas picked Viliami Fehoko out of San Jose State in the fourth round, but he's got more to his game.

Fehoko logged 165 snaps in the B-gap (between the guard and tackle) so he's versatile enough to slide inside if need be. Cowboys' defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has already come up with a strategy on how to get Fehoko acclimated to his scheme.  

“Hit the ground running first year," Fehoko said of Quinn's plan. "I think I’ll be playing probably between the edge and 3-tech (DT).”

This idea makes a lot of sense. 

Quinn likes to give multiple looks and he runs a lot of stunts so having guys that can play on the interior and the edge are key. No matter where Fehoko was lined up in 2022, he was superb with a run-defense grade of 87.4, a pass-rush grade of 90.2, and an overall 90.9 for the season. 

If Fehoko does enough to make the roster and becomes a part of the defensive line rotation, he can give guys rest in multiple areas which ultimately benefits the entire unit. Quinn sees that, and Fehoko couldn't be happier about it.

“Everybody knows at least one or two positions.. The more positions you know the more value you bring to a team, so I am happy that he’s utilizing the two different positions right now," said Fehoko.

For his college career, Fehoko put up 173 pressures and 121 hurries per PFF. Also, he registered 47 tackles for loss and 23 sacks. So, time will tell as to what Quinn gets out of him, which should be a lot.