2. Fifth-Round (155th overall): Matt Waletzko, Offensive Tackle, North Dakota
Grade: B+
The Cowboys decided to add another offensive lineman with their first fifth-round selection. Matt Waletzko is another project pick by Dallas that will need plenty of time to develop. Waletzko is a massive offensive lineman standing at 6-8 and 312 pounds.
Matt Waletzko was drafted with pick 155 of round 5 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.96 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 6 out of 1218 OT from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/btcwLA0X1n #RAS #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/tRMv1Tgyrq
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2022
The North Dakota product is an elite athlete. He has all the traits the Cowboys usually look for in an offensive lineman. His arms are 36 1/8″ which helps contribute to his high ceiling. It was interesting to see Dallas go with a small school player as that is not their usual M.O. The upside is certainly there with this player and it will be interesting to see how he develops with America’s Team.
3. Fifth-Round (167th overall): DaRon Bland, Cornerback, Fresno State
Grade: B+
Dallas addressed the cornerback position for the first time in the fifth round. DaRon Bland is 6-2, 200 pounds, and he has long arms, which fits perfectly into the Dan Quinn type of cornerback. This pick seems like good value for the Cowboys as Daniel Jeremiah had Bland ranked 121st on his big board.
New Cowboys corner DaRon Bland with the effort and burners, courtesy @BenFennell_NFL:pic.twitter.com/4vjuL0JWR3
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) April 30, 2022
The former Bulldog has good speed and at worst should be able to contribute on special teams. Bland recorded two interceptions last year and should be another project for Dallas. In the fifth round, we always see the Cowboys take swings on players with good traits, and Bland is another example of that.
4. Fifth-Round (176th overall): Damone Clark, Linebacker, LSU
Grade: A
This was a great pick by the Cowboys. Clark was seen by many as a second or third-round player, but he fell in the draft due to a spinal fusion surgery that he had in March. It is uncertain if he will be able to play at all during his rookie season.
Damone Clark: 1st-Team All-SEC LB who ranked second in the county with 11 tackles per game. Had a scout tell me two weeks ago that he had a 1st-round grade on him, similar to what @MelKiperESPN discussed. #Cowboys got a baller.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 30, 2022
The injury is a concern, but the player is very good. He had elite production at LSU including 136 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and one interception last season. Clark was also named second-team All-American. He will fit in nicely as an inside linebacker in Dan Quinn’s scheme. The former Tiger has really good athletic ability that allows him to move sideline to sideline and make plays.
The fifth round is a great time to take chances on players with medical issues. The talent is immense, and hopefully, he will be able to fully recover and help the Cowboys at some point.
5. Fifth-Round (178th overall): John Ridgeway, Defensive Tackle, Arkansas
Grade: A-
Another really good pick by the Cowboys comes in the form of John Ridgeway from Arkansas. He is a big, strong, defensive tackle that can step into the one-technique position and help stop the run. Jerry Jones and Co. love drafting from their alma mater, Arkansas, so the addition of Ridgeway was not too surprising.
Playing in the SEC gave the Razorback exposure to some of the best offensive linemen in the country. This should allow Ridgeway to be able to compete for snaps in his rookie year. The Cowboys always have plenty of rotational pieces on the defensive line and Ridgeway will slot into that role. Dallas finished the fifth round with two slam dunk picks.