Dallas Cowboys Thought Sharrif Floyd Was Not Good Enough for Their Defense
By Chris Roling
The Dallas Cowboys had a chance in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft to select Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd.
Instead, the coaching staff decided he was not good enough for their 4-3 defense and elected to trade down.
Floyd is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings after being selected with the No. 23 overall pick. Coincidentally enough, the Vikings also run a 4-3 defense.
The report comes form Tim MacMahon over at ESPN Dallas:
"The Cowboys ignored the position in the draft despite Florida’s Sharrif Floyd, ranked fifth overall on their board, falling into their laps at No. 18. Jerry Jones valued the opinions of new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and defensive line coach Rod Marinelli — who didn’t think Floyd was “quick-twitch” enough to excel in their scheme — over those of the scouts."
Floyd was profiled coming out as an extremely fast defensive tackle that could provide interior pressure in the same vein as Geno Atkins of the Cincinnati Bengals or Henry Melton of the Chicago Bears.
He’ll have that chance now with the Vikings on a rebuilding defense. Floyd should also have a massive point to prove in his rookie season now that it has come to light some teams as high-profile as the Cowboys simply thought he was not good enough.
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