The 27th pick is in and SB Nation’s Cowboys community, Blogging The Boys, has selected...
NFL Mock Draft, Pick 27: Cowboys Select Jason Pierre-Paul, DE South Florida
South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul
There are players who are better fits for Dallas, but they don’t have Pierre-Paul’s rating and potential. Pass rushers are always in demand, and 3-4 OLB’s are of particular interest to certain teams, the Cowboys included. It’s not a position of “need” for the Cowboys, but Pierre-Paul’s “value” at this pick is too great to pass up.
In theory, this should be a great pick. JPP is an athletic marvel. However, he’s no 3-4 outside linebacker. He showed as much during South Florida’s recent pro day. He really struggles moving backward and doesn’t have the kind of lateral agility required.
MTD suggests Devin McCourty out of Rutgers instead. From what I understand, Pierre-Paul really has the potential to be a great pick late in the first round. However, it’s always a big concern when you take a guy like Pierre-Paul -- who has played defensive end all his life -- and move him to outside linebacker in a 3-4, which the Cowboys run.
The Cowboys immediate future at outside linebacker seems okay with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer so you’ve gotta think MTD has a good point suggesting someone like McCourty who would “possibly be able to start immediately.”
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