2014 NFL mock draft: Dominique Easley to Dallas Cowboys at No. 47

The Dallas Cowboys are in the process of rebuilding a defense -- and a defensive line, in particular -- that was ravaged by injury and struggled mightily throughout the 2013 season playing under Monte Kiffin. The team released DeMarcus Ware in a cost-cutting move, but also signed end Jeremy Mincey and tackle Henry Melton in free agency. Now, Dave Halprin of Blogging the Boys is further addressing his team’s biggest sore spot in our mock draft.

“Simply put, Easley is an ideal interior lineman for Rod Marinelli’s defensive scheme. Undersized but blessed with an explosive first step and the ability to shoot gaps to disrupt the backfield, he is tailor-made for the Cowboys’ scheme. A defensive end is also a consideration here, but if the Cowboys can push quarterbacks from the middle of the line consistently, their current defensive ends can clean up the mess when quarterbacks roll out. If it wasn’t for the injury issues, Easley would be a top of the first round pick. It’s a risk because of his knees, but if it pans out, Dallas gets a blue-chip player in the middle of the second round.”

The risk of passing on a defensive lineman in the first round means gambling on a player like Easley in the second. It’s true, though, if Easley pans out and returns to form, he’ll be considered a steal of a choice. If not, it will be viewed as a wasted pick. The value is there as disruptive interior presence. Easley is also capable of kicking out to end, a position some think he’s better at than tackle.