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Dallas Cowboys Draft: Fixing the Pass Rush

By Bryan Spielman

Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) throws as he is pressured by UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) in the first half during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) throws as he is pressured by UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) in the first half during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The answer to the Dallas Cowboys’ pass rush problem might be sitting there at the end of the first round.

Without a doubt, the most important need for the Dallas Cowboys to address is defensive end. The Cowboys have failed to solve the problem since they were forced to release DeMarcus Ware in 2014, and it has cost them mightily in the playoffs.

What’s interesting about Dallas’ inability to find a consistent pass rush is that it is not for a lack of trying. In 2014 and 2015, the Cowboys selected defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence (Boise State) and Randy Gregory (Nebraska) in the second round of their respective drafts.

In 2016, Dallas selected Oklahoma defensive end Charles Tapper in the fourth round. The Cowboys have even spent big in free agency on troubled defensive end Greg Hardy in 2015.

Unfortunately, all of these moves have not gone as well as hoped. Lawrence has struggled to stay on the field, due to injuries and a P.E.D. suspension. Gregory missed most of his rookie year due to an ankle injury, and almost all of last year and this entire season because of a drug suspension. Tapper has yet to play in an NFL game because of a back injury. And who can forget the entire Hardy fiasco.

With the Cowboys picking at #28, they will not be able to get a “war daddy” pass rusher. However, there is a good chance Dallas can grab an impact player from the second tier of defensive ends. This group includes Tennessee’s Derek Barnett, Michigan’s Taco Charlton, and UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley.

Of the three, McKinley is the best fit for the Cowboys. He possesses the most important traits Dallas needs in their defensive ends, elite quickness and long arms. Takk was a track star in high school and it is evident in his explosive burst off the snap.

Bleacher Report’s NFL Draft expert Matt Miller even compares this part of Takk’s game to that of Ware.

"“[Takk McKinley] has excellent length and knows how to use his big hands to keep blockers off his frame. McKinley’s burst and timing are top-tier coming off the line of scrimmage,” Miller wrote recently. “He’s able to time the snap but also beats tackles with speed and great leverage. There’s some DeMarcus Ware to his game. Even with a shoulder injury, he stood out at the combine with his effort and willingness to play hurt.”"

The only concern with McKinley is the shoulder injury he played through while in college. Although, Takk did have 10.0 sacks last season for the Bruins. He had surgery on it after doing position drills at the combine, and is expected to return by the start of the season.

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If the Cowboys’ team doctors feel comfortable with his recovery, management should have no reservations taking McKinley at the end of the first round. Takk would give Dallas the explosive edge rusher they have been sorely missing and drastically improve their chances of playing in early February.

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