The Dallas Cowboys are getting significant attention as we careen toward the NFL draft, which makes sense because the team holds two first-round picks and thus, a lot of sway over how things unfold beginning next Thursday night in Pittsburgh. The current consensus sees Dallas trading into the top of the draft, with the No. 6 pick (currently belonging to the Browns) the most logical landing spot.
In fact, three major mock drafts were put out on Wednesday–Todd McShay of The Ringer, Dane Brugler of The Athletic and Mel Kiper of ESPN–and all three project the Cowboys swapping with the Cleveland Browns, sending No. 12 and 20 for No. 6 and the Browns’ second-round pick, at No. 39. The presumption is that the Cowboys are targeting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 6 pick.
Of course, beyond the first two picks the Cowboys will make, there will be plenty of chances to add useful players for Dallas. They have eight picks in total, and need depth and talent all over the roster, especially on defense. Now, word has come come out that the Cowboys have interest in an Alabama pass-rusher: LT Overton.
LT Overton Interviewed With Cowboys Before NFL Draft
Reporter Joe Rodriguez of “The Frisco Report” wrote on Twitter/X that Overton met with the Cowboys–including defensive coordinator Christian Parker, line coach Marcus Dixon and pass-rushing coach BT Jordan–this week and that the interest there is real.
He noted, “LT Overton, DL, Alabama completed virtual interview with the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Parker, Dixon, and Jordan all present. Was told interest was significant.”
Overton could be a Cowboys target for their third-round pick, which currently sits at No. 92. In Dane Brugler’s mock draft, Overton goes to the Cardinals at No. 104 overall, the fourth pick of the fourth round. Pro Football Focus rates him as the no. 91 overall prospect, theoretically putting him range of the Cowboys with that third-rounder.
Cowboys Seeking NFL Draft Edge Help
The Cowboys no doubt need edge-rushing help, and that figures to be a focus at some point in this draft. There is a chance they could add one with their first pick, whether they trade it or not. If they move to No. 6 and Styles is gone, the Cowboys could have Rueben Bain or David Bailey available at that point.
But Overton is a good mid-round option. He has 49 games of college experience behind him, including two years at Texas A&M before he transferred to Alabama. He had 4.0 sacks as a senior for the Crimson Tide.
LT Overton Has ‘Impressive Power’
Overton could be a good fit for the Cowboys and Parker’s 3-4 defense, because he can chew up space with his size and strength, even though he is not likely to get after the quarterback–at 6-foot-3, 274 pounds, agility is not his game.
As the NFL.com scouting report on him reads: “Overton is a slow-twitch end with impressive power and a consistently rugged demeanor. He has long arms and plays with the anchor/leverage that helps him secure his gap. However, he rarely gains early positional advantages and isn’t going to be a gap-shooter. He lacks range in pursuit and won’t threaten tackles to the corner with his get-off as an edge rusher. Overton’s play strength and leverage create power on the edge, but power won’t trump production. Adding mass and moving inside to 3-technique could be in his best interest.”
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