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3 first-round edge rushers the Cowboys could target in the NFL Draft

By Terence Watson

Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) celebrates a stop during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.Cfb Purdue Vs Indiana
Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) celebrates a stop during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.Cfb Purdue Vs Indiana /
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The Dallas Cowboys have started their captains’ workouts will most likely start ranking their players and building their draft board in the next week. The 2022 season is officially upon us.

During the past several days, Mike McCarthy, Will McClay, and other staffers have been flying around the country bouncing from Pro Day to Pro Day at several universities across the country. With prospect visits already going out, we’ve started to get a picture of who Dallas is looking at and what the Cowboys feel are priorities in this year’s draft. It also helps narrow things down when the owner Jerry Jones pretty much puts it all out there for people to hear.

Combined we should be able to conclude that this front office is going to be putting a focus on pass rush and offensive line, but what if the offensive linemen Dallas is interested in are gone by the time it gets to pick 24?

The fallback plan seems to be taking a pass rusher and there are quite a few that the Cowboys should have their eye on if they aren’t able to get the offensive lineman they want. Here are a few of the players that could fall in the range of America’s Team at 24.

3 edge rusher prospects the Cowboys should target if they want a DE in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft

TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 5: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Florida. The Fighting Irish defeated the Seminoles 41 to 38 OT. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 5: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Florida. The Fighting Irish defeated the Seminoles 41 to 38 OT. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

3. Jermaine Johnson, Florida St.

Height: 6’5″  Weight: 260lbs

Career Stats: 106 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 4 passes defended

Jermaine Johnson‘s name is starting to creep up on Cowboy mock drafts and with good reason. This former Georgia Bulldog turned Florida State Seminole did a nice job of being a factor in the backfield against the run and sacking the quarterback. He plays with nice hand placement and is able to use his lower body explosiveness to beat offensive linemen on the snap, which he then can turn into power to bully his way into the backfield. He also does a nice job of using his strength to shed blockers and make sure tackles.

If the Cowboys do decide to take Johnson, they will be getting someone who can immediately come in and give them a nice pass rush with his relentless motor. He also isn’t a liability in the running game.

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