News: BTB: NFL draft prospect to know: Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State

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An interesting defensive tackle prospect for the Cowboys.

Blogging The Boys will begin taking a look at some of the NFL Draft prospects that will be in the 2018 NFL Draft class. We’ll try to do this on a Friday night or Saturday morning so you can pay attention to that player in their next game if you should so choose. Some weeks, we will look at potential targets that will be within the Cowboys’ expected draft range. Others, we will highlight some of the elite members of the class.

This is the fifth week of this installment. Thus far, we have already taken a look at two defensive players (one edge rusher and one cornerback) and two offensive players (one offensive lineman and one wide receiver). Today, we’ll look at our third defensive player.

At 2-3, it is clear that the Dallas Cowboys need help on the defensive side of the ball. That was already clear, and it became even more apparent after the Cowboys dropped back-to-back games while scoring over 30 points. Dak Prescott has been finding his groove, but the other side of the football hasn’t held up their end of the deal.

If the Dallas Cowboys want to go deep into the playoffs, improving this defense is an absolute must. Demarcus Lawrence, a free agent this offseason, has been playing like a man possessed this season and David Irving’s return should mean big things moving forward. Sean Lee, when healthy, is one of the better linebackers in the game, and Jourdan Lewis has been a bright spot with lots of potential in the secondary. However, things still need to be improved. Here is one player that has the potentially to help take the Dallas defense to the next level.

Dre’Mont Jones — defensive tackle, Ohio State

6-foot-3
295
RS Sophomore

Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Dre’Mont Jones is a player that has the talent to be a difference maker in year one in the NFL. The 6-foot-3, 295 pound defensive tackle redshirted his initial year on campus, but he has been one of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ better players both seasons on the field.

Last season, Jones started in 12 games, totaled 51 total tackles, and racked up four tackles for loss in 2016. He is able to power through the opponent’s offensive line and wreak havoc throughout a ball game. In 2017, Jones has started in four games for the Buckeyes before sitting out the last two due to a leg injury that held him out of the last two games. Nonetheless, Jones is expected to play this weekend against Nebraska. The redshirt sophomore has totaled seven total tackles and thee TFL’s so far this season. He is a force to be reckoned with each time he lines up on the field.

An interior duo featuring Jones and Maliek Collins, with Lawrence and Irving at the defensive end positions, would drastically improve this defense. In fact, Bleacher Report’s lead draft analyst Matt Miller has the same thought process:

13. Dallas Cowboys

The Pick: DL Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State

Take one look at the Dallas defense and you know they need help in the middle of the line. While edge players like Demarcus Lawrence and Taco Charlton are showing production and promise, the line next to Maliek Collins needs addressed. Adding another athlete with a top-15 pick would be ideal.

Dre'Mont Jones is a prototypical athlete with exceptional first-step quickness and the pursuit speed to be an asset in the run and pass game. Pairing Jones with Collins will give the Cowboys an interior presence on pass-rushing downs that currently doesn't exist.

Dallas may want to address the left guard spot or add a safety here depending on how the rest of the season goes, but the best value and need pick is adding to a defensive line that is lacking in talent and depth.
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A Jones/Collins duo would be highly intriguing.


Should Dallas consider defensive line in round one?

*stats gathered from sports-reference.com and gifs via Draft Breakdown.

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