Can Viliami Fehoko go from forgotten draft pick to Cowboys DL contributor?

big dog cowboy

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After bulking up to play DT and a year in the pros I'm very anxious to see Fohoko this summer.

Can Viliami Fehoko go from forgotten draft pick to Cowboys DL contributor?

reidhanson
February 15, 2024

With the 27th pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, the Cowboys made a very Cowboys-esque pick when they selected defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko out of San Jose State. The 6-foot-4, 263-pound no-nonsense prospect offered up a well-rounded game with the versatility to play along the defensive line.

Serving essentially as a red shirt season, 2023 was a chance for Fehoko to hone technique and bulk up. Without seeing game action, Fehoko’s rookie season was extremely disappointing and to many appeared like a bust. It’s a fair assessment considering some in the draft community were calling him one of the most underrated prospects at his position leading up to the draft. Even if he was a Day 3 pick, expectations were high for the rookie. He’ll now get an offseason to do whatever’s necessary to become an actual on-field contributor in 2024.

The Cowboys have a history of targeting defensive linemen with position flex in the middle rounds of the draft. It allows them to use the player outside in various techniques or reduce inside in more of a penetration role. Fehoko’s size and playing style likened him to Chauncey Golston as a prospect. Golston was another college DE Dallas has used in multiple capacities since joining the team.

But unlike Golston, a spot wasn’t readily available for Fehoko. The Cowboys were rich in DE talent and the limited number of active roster spots they had available at DT didn’t allow for a project player like Fehoko to see action.

Check out the rest of the story including pre-draft scouting reports along with video reviews of him:

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/li...k-2024/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
 

gimmesix

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After bulking up to play DT and a year in the pros I'm very anxious to see Fohoko this summer.

Can Viliami Fehoko go from forgotten draft pick to Cowboys DL contributor?

reidhanson
February 15, 2024

With the 27th pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, the Cowboys made a very Cowboys-esque pick when they selected defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko out of San Jose State. The 6-foot-4, 263-pound no-nonsense prospect offered up a well-rounded game with the versatility to play along the defensive line.

Serving essentially as a red shirt season, 2023 was a chance for Fehoko to hone technique and bulk up. Without seeing game action, Fehoko’s rookie season was extremely disappointing and to many appeared like a bust. It’s a fair assessment considering some in the draft community were calling him one of the most underrated prospects at his position leading up to the draft. Even if he was a Day 3 pick, expectations were high for the rookie. He’ll now get an offseason to do whatever’s necessary to become an actual on-field contributor in 2024.

The Cowboys have a history of targeting defensive linemen with position flex in the middle rounds of the draft. It allows them to use the player outside in various techniques or reduce inside in more of a penetration role. Fehoko’s size and playing style likened him to Chauncey Golston as a prospect. Golston was another college DE Dallas has used in multiple capacities since joining the team.

But unlike Golston, a spot wasn’t readily available for Fehoko. The Cowboys were rich in DE talent and the limited number of active roster spots they had available at DT didn’t allow for a project player like Fehoko to see action.

Check out the rest of the story including pre-draft scouting reports along with video reviews of him:

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/li...k-2024/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
I could see both him and Golston ending up back at DE. Zimmer might bump them inside on obvious passing downs, but I think he's less likely than Quinn to regularly play DEs at DT.
 

Rayman70

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I think the kid has a chance to see the field this year with Zimmer in the mix. It also depends on who we hire as the dline coach. The only way I know to learn is to be playing. Let him have meaningful reps in preseason. Lets see what he can do.
 

TequilaCowboy

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This FO using 4th round to pick up experimental guys is very disconcerting. What the heck are they doing there? I am sure there was some good talent available still who were ready to play a natural position. SMDH......

oh, and as for position flex......:thumbdown: isn't that what the dumpsters are for. ?
 

Carson

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Stinks because Fehoko was a Quinn/Floyd pick and now he’s gone
 

Ken

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Yes....shocked this guy didn't get any burn but we wasted snaps with a waste like Gallimore.
 

MikeT22

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The Cowboys have a history of targeting defensive linemen with position flex in the middle rounds of the draft. It allows them to use the player outside in various techniques or reduce inside in more of a penetration role.
They seem to like guys that aren't very good inside or outside. But hey, they're flexible.
 

Prossman2

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With Zimmer liking to be bigger up front and putting players at one position and having them focus on it, the kid has a shot. Are fourth round picks expected to come in and dominate their first year on the regular...no. DQ didn't value stopping the run. ( like paying Mazi at 290). The kid has the frame to get to 285/290 the offseaon. Lets get him and all the rookies thru 1 offseason program before we throw them under the bus.
 
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