Round 3 (92nd overall): Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State
The Dallas Cowboys have shied away from drafting small school prospects the last few years, but I think Derek Rivers could be as good as just about any defensive end in this draft class.
My fellow Staff Writer, Kevin Brady, is a big fan of the former Youngstown State DE and recently wrote an article expressing why he believes Rivers is a good fit with the Cowboys. Kevin has a second round grade on Rivers, but I currently have him ranked in the third round because of the lack of elite competition he faced in college.
At 6’5″, 255, Derek Rivers has the size to play a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL. He checks nearly all the boxes you look for in a 4-3 DE and the only real concern that I have about him is how he will handle the transition from a small school to the NFL.
Rivers might not be a day one starter, but I have zero doubt that he will still be able to make an impact as a rookie. Rod Marinelli will likely use him as a pass rush specialist until he is able to adjust to the speed of the NFL, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rivers ends his first year in the NFL with five or six quarterback sacks.
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