Dallas Cowboys steal an edge rusher in post-Senior Bowl Mock Draft
The Dallas Cowboys' priority in free agency could very well be re-signing Edge Rusher Randy Gregory. Whether they're able to do it or not, you can never have enough quality defensive ends. As Dorance Armstrong is also set to become a free agent, the Cowboys won't overlook any edge rusher when they're on the clock […]
The Dallas Cowboys' priority in free agency could very well be re-signing Edge Rusher Randy Gregory. Whether they're able to do it or not, you can never have enough quality defensive ends. As Dorance Armstrong is also set to become a free agent, the Cowboys won't overlook any edge rusher when they're on the clock in the 2022 NFL Draft.
And according to The Draft Network's Joe Marino's latest Mock Draft, they won't.
The Mock, which was put together after the Senior Bowl, has the Cowboys taking a pass rusher with the 24th overall pick. At first, that might surprise you, but keep in mind there's no better approach to the NFL Draft than taking the "best player available." In that particular mock, it seems like it was.
Joe Marino mocked EDGE George Karlaftkis from Purdue to the Dallas Cowboys.
Karlaftis, according to Daniel Jeremiah's prospect rankings, would be an absolute steal for Dan Quinn's defense. According to the NFL.com draft analyst, Karlaftis is the 14th best overall prospect in this year's class:
"Karlaftis has outstanding size, power and instincts off the edge, but he doesn't have ideal length. As a pass rusher, his best weapon is converting speed to power. He explodes upfield before jolting tackles with his hands and powering through them. He also will flash a nifty arm-over or spin move on occasion." – daniel Jeremiah, nfl.com
Jeremiah goes on to compare Karlaftis to another pass rusher that Cowboys fans are very familiar with as a former divisional rival, Ryan Kerrigan.
It's important to point out that in Marino's Mock Draft, the Dallas Cowboys are in a spot in which some of the most popular picks mocked to them are off the board. Specifically, guards Kenyon Green and Zion Johnson are taken before. Devin Lloyd, linebacker for Utah, is also off the board by the time the Cowboys are on the clock.
This is a draft class loaded with edge rushers, and it shouldn't be a surprise if the Dallas Cowboys end up in a spot in which taking one is the best route to go. According to Marino's mock draft, George Karlaftis could be that guy.
Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
