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Cowboys Mock Draft Predictes Major Change With 'Menacing' D-Lineman

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Feb 4, 2025 8:35 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys are undergoing a shift of sorts with Brian Schottenheiemer as head coach, and with the draft coming up, exactly how things will play out is interesting.

Dallas has roster holes everywhere, and while Ashton Jeanty is staring the Cowboys in the face at Pick 12, given the depth of the running back class, maybe that is a position for another round.

Defensively, the Cowboys could need a few more bodies along the line for new coordinator Matt Eberflus, and with their first-round selection in Lance Zierlein's latest mock draft, Dallas grabs a defensive tackle who is a menace on all three downs - Walter Nolen.

"Mason Graham gets most of the buzz as the consensus top defensive tackle in this year’s draft, but I like Nolen's disruptive ability on all three downs more," Zierlein writes.

Yes, we hear the Mazi Smith screams, but Nolen has some serious tools with which to work.

Armed with explosiveness that often makes him blow past centers, Nolen can wreak havoc in the backfield and is quick on his feet.

He also had good sack production for Ole Miss in 2024, notching 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, but as we know, in Dallas, stopping the run has to be a feature.

His athletic ability allows him to play in the gaps and be disruptive while also having the strength to eat double blockers to free up his teammates (hello, Micah).

This won't be a sexy pick by any means, but Nolen would fill a need for the Cowboys and given some depth to the defensive line.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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