The Dallas Cowboys selected Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday night, bolstering a pass rush that lacks depth behind Micah Parsons.
Greg Cosell of NFL Matchup provided a very intriguing comparison for Kneeland, saying that the 56th overall pick reminds him of a certain Los Angeles Chargers superstar.
“The more I watched Kneeland the more I started to see Khalil Mack coming out of Buffalo, and based on tape I thought Mack was the best pass rush prospect in the 2014 draft, which included Jadeveon Clowney,” Cosell wrote, via The 33rd Team. “I sense that Kneeland can transition to the NFL as a defensive end in four-man fronts, and at 267 pounds with 34½-inch arms, he can do that. He can also transition as a standup outside linebacker in five-man fronts and even move inside at times in four-man and five-man fronts, plus his versatility as a standup Joker.”
Kneeland is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he registered 57 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a couple of forced fumbles.
The 22-year-old arrived at Western Michigan in 2020 and had a minimal impact in his freshman season, logging 23 tackles, a couple of sacks and a forced fumble.
Kneeland’s role then grew in his second year, as he finished with 32 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He went on to post 37 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three passes defended the following season before establishing himself as a top-flight edge-rushing prospect in his senior campaign.
The Cowboys lost Dorance Armstrong Jr. to free agency this offseason, and Armstrong ranked second on the team with 7.5 sacks in 2023. Parsons led the club with 14. Dallas was unable to replace Armstrong last month, but it is obviously hoping that Marshawn Kneeland can fill that void in 2024.
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