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Draft Focus: Miss. St. DE Adds Talent, Youth
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
With 56 tackles and five sacks in 2011, Cox was named All-SEC first team.
(Editor's Note: Leading into the upcoming NFL Draft, held April 26-28, DallasCowboys.com will take a closer look at the prospects, including some that could be potential fits with the Cowboys. Today's featured player is Mississippi State defensive lineman Fletcher Cox.)
Name: Fletcher Cox
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Mississippi State
Height/Weight: 6-4/295
Age: 21 (born Dec. 13, 1990)
Honors: Cox was named first-team All-SEC last year – the only Mississippi State representative on the all-conference teams.
Strengths: The word "explosive" is often used in describing Cox, who played defensive tackle mostly in college, but has the size to play in the 3-4 scheme at defensive end. He plays with a high motor and uses that brute strength to often overpower smaller blockers. He has sideline quickness as well. With long arms, he's typically a good tackler, especially in the middle of the line of scrimmage.
Weaknesses: Still has some growing to do to fill out his frame. He's been tagged by some as undersized, but hasn't gotten overpowered much in the SEC. If he does switch to a 3-4 scheme, there is some thought he'll have a hard time adjusting at first. He was suspended for the season opener last year for violation of team rules, but came back and became one of Mississippi State's team leaders. He also comes from a school that isn't known for producing NFL talent on a consistent basis.
Where He's Headed: Cox will likely go somewhere in the middle of the first round; anywhere from 10-20 is where he's being projected. He'll either be a defensive end in a 3-4 or a defensive tackle in a 4-3 so he'll be a fit for all teams.
How He Helps the Cowboys: He'd bring some youth to a position that is pushing 30 at most spots, other than Sean Lissemore. The thought for years is that 3-4 ends don't bring a lot of production so drafting them high isn't prudent. However, the team had its eyes on J.J. Watt last year and he ended up making a huge impact for Houston. If the Cowboys can land a talented, explosive player in the draft, he could instantly improve the quality of that position and the overall makeup of the defensive line. Cox seems to have that type of ability and would be a solid pick at No. 14.
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
With 56 tackles and five sacks in 2011, Cox was named All-SEC first team.
(Editor's Note: Leading into the upcoming NFL Draft, held April 26-28, DallasCowboys.com will take a closer look at the prospects, including some that could be potential fits with the Cowboys. Today's featured player is Mississippi State defensive lineman Fletcher Cox.)
Name: Fletcher Cox
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Mississippi State
Height/Weight: 6-4/295
Age: 21 (born Dec. 13, 1990)
Honors: Cox was named first-team All-SEC last year – the only Mississippi State representative on the all-conference teams.
Strengths: The word "explosive" is often used in describing Cox, who played defensive tackle mostly in college, but has the size to play in the 3-4 scheme at defensive end. He plays with a high motor and uses that brute strength to often overpower smaller blockers. He has sideline quickness as well. With long arms, he's typically a good tackler, especially in the middle of the line of scrimmage.
Weaknesses: Still has some growing to do to fill out his frame. He's been tagged by some as undersized, but hasn't gotten overpowered much in the SEC. If he does switch to a 3-4 scheme, there is some thought he'll have a hard time adjusting at first. He was suspended for the season opener last year for violation of team rules, but came back and became one of Mississippi State's team leaders. He also comes from a school that isn't known for producing NFL talent on a consistent basis.
Where He's Headed: Cox will likely go somewhere in the middle of the first round; anywhere from 10-20 is where he's being projected. He'll either be a defensive end in a 3-4 or a defensive tackle in a 4-3 so he'll be a fit for all teams.
How He Helps the Cowboys: He'd bring some youth to a position that is pushing 30 at most spots, other than Sean Lissemore. The thought for years is that 3-4 ends don't bring a lot of production so drafting them high isn't prudent. However, the team had its eyes on J.J. Watt last year and he ended up making a huge impact for Houston. If the Cowboys can land a talented, explosive player in the draft, he could instantly improve the quality of that position and the overall makeup of the defensive line. Cox seems to have that type of ability and would be a solid pick at No. 14.
