After acquiring veteran linebacker Dee Winters early Friday, the Dallas Cowboys decided to hold their ground at pick No. 92 after rumblings that they could mortgage some of their Day 3 capital to trade up.
Just as they did with Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence on Day 1, the Cowboys made another rock-solid pick, selecting Michigan linebacker/edge rusher hybrid Jaishawn Barham.
Drafting Michigan defensive linemen has burned Dallas in the past, but there has been no shortage of great players who have passed through the Wolverines' program to become great NFL players. Just because Mazi Smith and Taco Charlton didn't pan out doesn't mean Barham won't.
Barham is a very good pick. Don't get lost in the Michigan sauce.
The Dallas Cowboys select Michigan OLB Jaishawn Barham at pick No. 92 in the NFL Draft
Barham has plenty of Arvell Reese in his game, with the ability to play off-ball linebacker or rush the passer. He was announced as an edge rusher when the pick was made, which could hint at how defensive coordinator Christian Parker plans to use him.
Like Reese, Barham is still developing as a pass rusher, but he’s uber-physical when lined up on the edge. From off-ball, he’s a heat-seeking missile with a nonstop motor and impressive closing speed in pursuit.
Nobody’s saying he’s as good as Reese, but the similarities in their games are undeniable, and he helps the Cowboys address two of their biggest remaining defensive needs. Sounds like pretty great value for the end of the third round.
Care to guess the last Michigan player the Cowboys drafted in the third round? None other than Jourdan Lewis. If Barham turns out to be 3/4 of the player Lewis is, this pick will go down as a success.
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