The Dallas Cowboys desperately need to improve the defense, and there’s a serious target in mind.
That’s what Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler sees for the Cowboys as the draft nears on April 23 in Pittsburgh. Visiting the “Rich Eisen Show,” Brugler believes it’s a defensively top-heavy draft, and it behooves the Cowboys to swing for a defensive star such as Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
In Brugler’s top 10 for the whole draft, he has six defensive players. Styles ranks No. 4 overall. Ohio State teammate and safety Caleb Downs is another of those top players on Brugler’s list.
“To me, that’s the story of this draft, the non-premium positions, and how teams reconcile that, where you don’t usually think about drafting a safety in the top 10,” Brugler said regarding Downs in particular. “And, yeah, with Sonny Styles, a linebacker, there’s going to be several teams — I’m looking at the Cowboys specifically as a team. They’re going to be tempted to move up.”
“The Cowboys don’t have a player they feel comfortable wearing that green dot [for defensive play caller],” Brugler added. “Sonny Styles would be perfect for that Christian Park defense, exactly what they’re looking for. They have two first-round picks. Could they be tempted to move up?”
Dallas owns the No. 12 and No. 20 picks. The Cowboys most likely would need to trade with the New York Giants at No. 5 in order to land Styles, which has been gaining steam of late.
Another Option Exists For Cowboys
There’s another option behind the Giants that Brugler also sees for the Cowboys if needed for a potential trade up.
“We know the [Cleveland] Browns are always willing to move back. May [number] six could be that sweet spot for them,” Brugler said.
That’s also contingent upon the Giants not taking Styles or another player of interest for the Cowboys. Other considerations for the Giants include Downs and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. It’s possible the Giants could target a top offensive player, such as Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.
Cleveland looks poised to go for an offensive pick at No. 6 since the Browns have significant needs on the offensive line, wide receiver room, and quarterback room.
Cowboys Won’t Force Trade, Analyst Says
Cowboys analyst Brandon Loree of SB Nation believes the team won’t push too hard to move up in the draft.
“More smoke to the #Cowboys, potentially the one team that wants to trade up,” Loree wrote via X regarding NFL Network’s Rapoport’s take on the Cowboys moving up. “I don’t think it’ll be something they force, but if the right player starts to slip/fall, then it could become a possibility. [i.e Sonny Styles, Rueben Bain, Caleb Downs].”
Rapoport believes the Cowboys are “most likely to trade up” among teams that have multiple first-round picks. Four other teams besides the Cowboys have multiple first-round picks: Browns, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, and Miami Dolphins.
“This is real. I expect them to be at least in the mix potentially for coming up for a pass rusher or other top defensive players,” Rapoport said.
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