The Ringer Mock Draft: Cowboys Select Dominant DT Jer’Zhan Newton

Mike Zimmer was hired by the Dallas Cowboys as defensive coordinator in an effort to elevate this defense on a mental and physical level. It makes sense for Dallas to think about adding bulk to its defense after coming under fire for being too fragile against the run and not physical enough when it counted.

But it seems like the Cowboys select a center to replace Tyler Biadasz or swap out one of their offensive tackles in every mock draft. The Cowboys’ desire to acquire younger players up front justifies those selections, but according to the NFL Mock Draft Database, the three most frequent Dallas selections are offensive linemen.

That shouldn’t always be the case, considering how disastrously this season concluded.

Ben Solak took a risk by giving Zimmer a strong threat in the center of the defensive line, something former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn lacked in The Ringer’s most recent mock draft.

Dallas selected Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton with the No. 24 pick.

Mazi Smith, the defensive tackle from Michigan who was selected in the first round of the previous season, may take a hit, but the Cowboys’ competitive window may shorten the time they need to assess the Wolverine.

Smith wasn’t very successful as a rookie, and it’s risky to start the next season without a solid plan in place to solve the interior.

“Osa Odighizuwa is not the only person needed for the role,” Solak stated. “Considering how readily he slips past blocks and breaks through spaces, Newton is an explosive penetration player who may not be the solid run defense Dallas has been longing for.”

The 6-2, 295-pound Newton isn’t being selected for his two-gap skills, even though he isn’t a particularly good run defender (as was the case with Mazi). By punishing opponents for benching edge rusher Micah Parsons, adding another interior presence might open the Cowboys’ pass rush in a way that the squad was unable to do last year.

Opposing teams will always center their strategies around the superstar edge, but double teams and protection help can only go so far. Success is certain if the defensive tackle has the ability to push the pocket and make passers scramble into Parsons’ path.