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Cowboys 2016 NFL Draft: A defensive lineman in each round

By Lauren Draper-Wood

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Sheldon Day (91) breaks off of the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Notre Dame won 42-30. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Sheldon Day (91) breaks off of the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Notre Dame won 42-30. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

ROUND 3

Notre Dame will be looking to equal and potentially better the number of prospects drafted this year compared to the eight taken in 2014. The Cowboys struck gold when they took Notre Dame’s Zack Martin that year, and his brother Nick a centre, will be looking to be selected within the first three rounds this year. The chance of both Martin’s lining up alongside each other in Dallas is slim, but adding a Notre Dame graduate on defense in the shape of Sheldon Day would be nice.

In four years at Notre Dame, Sheldon Day made 91 tackles (32 for loss), 7.5 sacks and deflected 8 passes. He’s a nicely rounded defenseman; able to play verses the run and pass in equal measure.

Aside from his explosiveness that leaps off the screen in the film, he has a super quick first step. He’s off the line of scrimmage and into the quarterbacks face at break neck speed that makes him tough to stop. He has long rangy arms despite being relatively stout and his hand movement is fast and effective.

A chequered injury history and his size is what’s considered to be the deal breaker right now for Day. He’s 6-1 and 293lbs; something of a lesser talented Aaron Donald. Ultimately though, if you’ve got the skills you’ll get the game time and Day certainly displays enough on tape.

Next: Dallas Defensive Line Depth in Round 4

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