Dallas Cowboys Draft: Is defensive end top priority?

We will discuss whether or not the defensive end position should be the top priority for the Dallas Cowboys heading into the draft.

With the 2016 NFL draft less than a week away, the Dallas Cowboys are faced with a dilemma about what to do with the defensive in position for the upcoming 2016 season.

The depth at the DE position was already a concern with the four-game suspension handed down to Randy Gregory because of another failed drug test, but this week the Cowboys were hit with another blow when it was announced that DeMarcus Lawrence could be facing a four-game suspension as well.

#Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence was already hit with a 4-game fine for a substance abuse drug violation. A 4-game suspension is the next step
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2016

Both Lawrence and Gregory are the two best defensive ends on the Cowboys roster and the inexperience behind them might just force the organization’s hand in the draft to address the position earlier than they may have wanted to.

It’s not certain whether or not Lawrence will indeed be slapped with a four-game suspension, because he violated the league’s substance abuse policy, although he is appealing the suspension.

It is rumored that his failed drug test because he took amphetamines.

This actually could be good news for the Cowboys and Lawrence if the amphetamines were prescribed to him by his doctor after his off-season back surgery. If he can get a written statement that they were indeed prescribed to him from his doctor.

With this information he could when his appeal with the league and prove that it was just a mistake on his part to not provide this information earlier.

That of course would be the best case scenario. That would mean the Cowboys would still be able to approach the draft without any major needs to fill and not have to reach for any particular position.

Unfortunately, we don’t know the outcome of Lawrence’s appeal yet and as fans have to think about what defensive ends the Cowboys might target early in the draft.

The name that gets the most attention is Joey Bosa, the defensive end from Ohio State. He is regarded as the best DE in the draft class and is projected to go somewhere within the top 10 draft picks, if not the top five.

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If rumors are true, the Cowboys are just mildly interested in the former Buckeye defensive end. He is a solid prospect, but might never be an elite player in the NFL.

Bosa will almost certainly be there at #4 on the Cowboys on the clock and he may very well be wearing a star on his helmet in 2016, but there are other options available later in the draft that might make more sense.

If the Cowboys trade back from #4 they could target Shaq Lawson, the Clemson defensive end. It was rumored that the Cowboys spent more than six hours with him when he came for a pre-draft visit. I personally like him more than Bosa and would even consider him at #4.

There are other defensive ends that could make sense on the second and third days of the draft and drafting so highly in each round should give them the choice to pick the best available.

No matter what the outcome of Lawrence’s suspension may be, the Cowboys still need to add depth to the defensive end position at some point in the draft. They may even decide to double-dip in hopes of striking gold and solidifying the position for years to come.

What do you think the Dallas Cowboys should do in regards to the defensive and position?

Please feel free to use the comment section below to express your thoughts and opinions on the topic.

Next: Cowboys Top Three Draft Picks - Best Case Scenario

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