Cowboys, Senior Bowl 2016: Three Prospects to Watch
Austin Johnson – Defensive Tackle
The 6-3, 325lb defensive tackle is given a second round grade by CBS Sports and considered the 7th best player at his position this draft.
In three years at Penn State he made 63 tackles- 24 for a loss, 8.5 sacks and had 5 passes deflected. As the figures suggest, he’s a monster of a man. He’d be particularly intriguing to add into this Rod Marinelli rotational defense.
While he has the perfect frame for that defensive tackle position, as the stats show, he’s also got a surprising ability to get to the quarterback. It’s not that he’s got pass rushing qualities, more that his excellent awareness gives him that edge.
In a Cowboys side that’s struggled to get sacks in the previous two seasons, a talent like Johnson to bring pressure from the middle would be a real asset and potential change maker. He excels in run defense and his unwavering strength consistently made mincemeat of opponents.
Current Cowboy Jack Crawford also learned his trade at Penn State and the two have been compared by their college coaches.
"“Those coaches saw the way he ran on the hardwood, how he didn’t grow fatigued, and they continued to tell him about his similarities to fellow high school alum Jack Crawford”"
Tyrone Crawford and Nick Hayden are the resident defensive tackle options for the Cowboys at present. Crawford played hurt through 2015 and after signing a hefty new deal will want to bounce back in 2016. Hayden has always been the go to guy for Marinelli. He does a job but without ever dominating opponents or looking spectacular. If the Cowboys spend that second round pick on Johnson, the opportunity will be there for him to make the spot his own for years to come.
Next: Senior Bowl Watch: Wide Receiver