7 Dallas Cowboys That Will Effect 2017 Draft Decisions

[tps_title]Defensive End/Tackle Tyrone Crawford[/tps_title]

Tyrone Crawford has become somewhat of a man without a position for Rod Marinelli’s defense – despite being one of their highest paid players. Signed to a massive extension prior to 2016, the Cowboys’ projected starter at 3T DT was in line to have a big season.

The strength of Dallas’ defensive line was on the interior at tackle, which was supposed to only set up Crawford for more dominance as a pass rusher and run stopper. Instead, this depth at DT phased Crawford away from his natural position, instead seeing him become the new starter at a position of much greater need – defensive end.

Now, I am in no way saying that just because Tyrone Crawford may be a new body at defensive end, the Cowboys do not have to address the position (and pass rush overall) early in the 2017 draft.

If Dallas does view Crawford as a part of the rotation at LDE though, they may look to add to their depth on the interior. The main reason the Cowboys were able to move Crawford to the outside was because of rookie Maliek Collins’ presence inside at 3T, and the sky is truly the limit for a player in Collins that made huge splashes as a rookie despite missing most of training camp.

Collins’ “backup” would likely be David Irving if in fact Crawford is fixated at DE, which gives the Cowboys two really solid DTs along with free-agent-to-be Terrell McClain and Cedric Thornton.

The motto for adding talent to this defensive line for 2017 should be, “you can never have enough of a good thing”, and Tyrone Crawford’s potentially permanent position change leaves a chance to add young talent in the draft at defensive tackle.