Are the Dallas Cowboys destined to draft this Boise State star?

The Dallas Cowboys have had success drafting defenders out of Boise State. Could they do the same in 2020 with this unheralded pass rusher?

The Dallas Cowboys have had recent draft success selecting prospects from Boise State. Names like pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., safety Darian Thompson, and defensive end Tyrone Crawford are all former Broncos.

Even second-year offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was one of college football’s top quarterbacks at Boise State. So when looking towards next month’s NFL draft, it would be wise for Cowboys’ fans to get acquainted with the current crop of prospects coming out of Idaho this year.

The one name Dallas has already shown interest in is linebacker/defensive end, Curtis Weaver. During his interview with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine, Weaver confirmed he had his first formal visit with the Cowboys.

The 6-foot-2, 265-pound edge rusher racked up 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss as a junior last season with the Broncos. Over his three-year career at Boise State, Weaver recorded a combined 47.5 tackles for loss and 34.0 sacks in 40 games.

Despite the numbers, many are sleeping on the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, that’s likely due to Weaver’s lack of explosiveness and athletic traits. Zierlein gave him a 6.10 grade, which predicts he’ll be a good backup who could eventually become a starter on the NFL-level.

Yet here’s what Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus wrote about why the football analytics website likes Weaver more than most scouts and members of the media.

"“Curtis Weaver has been an impactful player since he first stepped foot on the field back in 2017. During that redshirt freshman season, Weaver produced a 77.1 pass-rush grade and astounding 18.6% pressure rate that ranked 12th in the FBS. … Over the last two years, Weaver has produced a pass-rush grade that ranks behind only top-five lock Chase Young … “"

Anytime a player’s name is connected with Ohio State’s Chase Young, a pass rusher many consider to be the best overall prospect in this upcoming draft class, we should all pay attention. Yet, Weaver is currently projected to only be a third-to-fourth round selection next month according to Walter Football.

New Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has already stated he’d like to have six pass rushers for his defensive line. That likely means the Dallas Cowboys intend to draft for the position in April. And the name Curtis Weaver, from a college that’s the closest thing this team has to a pipeline, appears to be one to watch.