Cowboys mock draft: Dallas adds defensive playmakers after humiliating loss in Week 15

Cowboys Round 2 pick: T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

The secondary wasn't the primary concern this past weekend. Instead, it was the way the Cowboys were pushed around at the line of scrimmage. With Johnathan Hankins out due to an injury, Mazi Smith filled in but there was a clear drop-off.

Smith did record a sack — which was a gift since the refs blew the whistle despite Josh Allen escaping his grasp — but he did little in the run game. Buffalo wound up with 266 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. James Cook led the way with 179 yards as Dallas was reminded just how important it is to have some power up front.

They still have faith that Smith — their first-round pick from 2023 — can develop into a formidable run-stuffer but they need more. That's why they add T'Vondre Sweat from Texas with their second-round pick in this mock.

At 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, Sweat is an absolute unit in the middle of the line. Entering the College Football Playoffs, Sweat has 124 career tackles with 17.5 going for a loss. He's added eight sacks and has a high win rate when rushing the passer but his calling card in the NFL will be shutting down the run.

Should Dallas find themselves in a situation like they were this past Sunday, getting bullied off the line, they can turn to a lineup that features Smith and Sweat. That should keep them from being demoralized as we saw against Buffalo.