Cowboys' D-line looks ready to return to dominant form
www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4766527/cowboys-d-line-finally-looks-like-it-can-catch-up-to-its-past-success
Starting in 2011, the Cowboys made it a priority to rebuild their offensive line with first-round picks.
Tyron Smith was followed by
Travis Frederick in 2013 and
Zack Martin in 2014.
La'el Collins was a first-round talent but fell to an undrafted free agent. Last month, the Cowboys took
Connor Williams in the second round and project him to be their starting left guard.
The defensive line has been built a little differently but with quality picks. Crawford was a third-rounder in 2012. Lawrence was a second-rounder in 2014.
Taco Charlton was a first-round pick last year.
Maliek Collins was a third-rounder in 2016.
The Cowboys have also picked up other high-round picks from other teams, such as
Datone Jones (first round,
Green Bay Packers 2010),
Kony Ealy (second round,
Carolina Panthers 2014). Dallas traded for
Jihad Ward (second round,
Oakland Raiders 2016)...
Perhaps come training camp the Cowboys will get another talented piece to the defensive front in
Randy Gregory. He was a second-round pick in 2016 but has played in only two games the past two seasons because of suspension. He has filed for reinstatement to the NFL, and the Cowboys are not ready to give up on a talent that was projected to be a top-five pick if not for his off-field troubles...