The Landry Hat
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Reviewing the Cowboys’ quality depth selections with six Day 3 picks

By Lauren Barash

MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 30: Jake Ferguson #84 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 30: Jake Ferguson #84 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Cowboys, DaRon Bland
Oct 23, 2021; Fresno, California, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs defensive back Daron Bland (1) celebrates next to linebacker Levelle Bailey (6) after intercepting a pass against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first quarter at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Round 5, Pick 167: DaRon Bland, Cornerback, Fresno State

Yet again, another non-Power 5 selection for the Cowboys. Although Dallas has a pretty long list of depth at the cornerback position, they decided to pick up another depth player out of Fresno State. However, in light of the Kelvin Joseph legal situation, this may be a good idea. We’d like to say this was a random pick, but for the front office, it wasn’t. The Cowboys only had one cornerback on their 30 official visits list, and that defensive back was DaRon Bland.

Here is a quote from Cowboys Wire about the cornerback:

"Bland does his best work in the zone, with his eyes back on the QB. This allows him to get a good break on the throw, and with his transition ability in space, it could be a favorable move for him. He is a physical player, never shying away from contact. He can’t hold up in man coverage, he gets grabby with the receivers during the stem of their route and he gets out-bodied in goal-line scenarios. Having him as a player who plays with his eyes in the backfield and can charge down hill to use his physicality projects favorably for him."

The 6-2, 200-pound Bulldog started the last nine games of the 2021 season as a cornerback and collected 45 tackles. He helped Fresno State beat two Top 25 opponents in a season for the first time since 2004.

Cowboys, Damone Clark
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 02: Damone Clark #18 of the LSU Tigers in action against the Auburn Tigers during a game at Tiger Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

4. Round 5, Pick 176: Damone Clark, LB, LSU

This was an excellent potential value pick. Clark is a top-tier talent but fell far on draft boards due to undergoing spinal fusion surgery. The LSU Tiger may not see the field in 2022, but once he is healthy, the combination of him and Micah Parsons will be a terror for offenses in the NFL.

Clark is 6-2, 239 pounds and was named first-team All-SEC and a Butkus Award finalist. He carries intense athleticism, toughness, and tackling ability. The Tiger’s speed allows him to play sideline to sideline and he has the versatility to lineup at all three linebacker positions.

After he heals, Clark will certainly benefit from learning under Dan Quinn. This linebacker has incredibly high potential, and hopefully, the surgery he underwent allows him to have more longevity and durability in the future. In 2021, he had career-high stats with LSU. Clark collected 135 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and an interception.

As far as off-field character goes, the former Tiger earned the No. 18 jersey at LSU. That jersey number is given to the player who best shows leadership skills and selflessness.

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