Cowboys 2021 draft: 5 impact players beyond the first round
Scouting Report. JayTufele. player. 808. Pick Analysis. DT. USC 6'3 315 lbs. 3
The run defense for the Dallas Cowboys has been laughable. Even teams that were pass-first ran the ball because they knew they could exploit the defense.
Most of the blame rested on the defensive coaches the team brought in that offseason. That resulted in their firing, but do not be distracted from a longtime problem with the team.
When was the last time an interior lineman on the Dallas Cowboys made a Pro Bowl? That was back in 2013 when they had Jason Hatcher. Since then, Dallas’ interior linemen have been mediocre.
Since the team likely won’t use their top pick on an interior lineman, they need to use a day two draft pick on one. Jay Tufele is an interior lineman from USC that will dominate the run game while adding some pass rushing.
He was one of the many players to opt-out of the 2020 season, but his tape from 2019 and 2018 shows us the impact he will have in the NFL. In the run game, he routinely got by single blockers. That was on display in 2019, racking up 42 tackles in 13 games.
The lineman has had some issues losing the football. While that’s not a good trait to have, Dan Quinn would be able to help out with that.
He will be an early to mid-second-round pick. America’s Team will be on the clock with the 12th pick in the second round. With the 44th pick in the draft, Tufele could be on the board.
Dallas has Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore returning next season, but they aren’t enough. Dallas could draft Tufele in the second round. That would mark the third straight season the Cowboys drafted an interior lineman in the top three rounds.
Hill showed promise before suffering a torn ACL this past season. Gallimore had flashes of brilliance but was not consistent. In adding Tufele to the mix, someone has to show up each game.