The Pewter Plank
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2016 NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Last Call

By David Harrison

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 15th overall pick to the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 15th overall pick to the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (8) during the game against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (8) during the game against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

4. player. 123. . CB. Florida State. Jalen Ramsey

 

For the Cowboys, adding a defensive lineman in the draft has become a Sisyphean task.  Meanwhile, the team has suffered in other key areas as positions have been refused the needed depth to ensure success when one or more of their best players suffers a time-stealing injury.

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Two defensive lineman will likely miss the first quarter of the season, and the knee-jerk reaction would be to add even more talent in hopes this one won’t break the rules.  To do so would be at the expense of the other areas of need and would totally ignore the presence of the best player in the draft – Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey.

It’s not often the Cowboys draft this high, and it’s less often the best player available also meets the team’s biggest area of need.  Cornerback has been an inconsistent position for the better part of recent memory and the opportunity for Dallas to grab a guy who looks about as close to a sure thing as you can get shouldn’t be wasted on trying to replace discipline problems.

The defensive line problems shouldn’t be ignored and perhaps some addition by subtraction is needed in Big-D, but there’s talent to be had later in the draft and spending a mid-round pick on a guy will hurt less if the pattern continues.

Previously:  Joey Bosa – DE – Ohio State

Next: 5. Jacksonville Jaguars

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