Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft: Five Defensive End Prospects

 DeMarcus Walker, DE – Florida State

Strengths

The defensive end from Florida State is always praised for his high character above and beyond all else.  Terms like hard worker, team leader and effort player are commonly used when referring to him.  There isn’t a locker room in the league that wouldn’t benefit from that kind of character guy on the team.

He possesses great size and arm length making him an ideal fit on the defensive line.  He has a strong initial punch which helps keep offensive linemen from getting into his body.  He is also strong enough to hold his ground against blockers and shed blocks to make the tackle.  He typically wins with excellent technique.  He appears to be well coached on using his hands and his feet.

Weaknesses

DeMarcus is not going to be confused with the ultra athletic pass rushers in the NFL or even in this draft class.  He wont beat most tackles with speed rushes repeatedly, that just is not his forte.  He also lacks the natural bend to get around the edge as well.

Outlook for the Dallas Cowboys

Although DeMarcus doesn’t come with a bag full of weaknesses he just doesn’t stand out enough to justify a first round pick on.  I think he’d be a solid addition in the second round though.  He would be stout against the run if placed on the strong side and could maybe slide inside on passing downs and give guards fits with his hand usage.

Next: The top 30 moments in Dallas Cowboys history

He wont disappoint as long as a team knows what they are getting. Not a likely all pro player, but a very solid player that can be a vital part of a rotation.  He will certainly provide a boost to the quality of atmosphere in the locker room.