Fansided

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Browns land Baker Mayfield

By Conor Dorney

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 04: North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb (9) enters the field before the game between the Clemson Tigers and the NC State Wolfpack on November 04, 2017 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 04: North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb (9) enters the field before the game between the Clemson Tigers and the NC State Wolfpack on November 04, 2017 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
19 of 32
Next
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Florida Gators defensive lineman Taven Bryan (93) reacts just before being ejected from the game during the SEC Championship football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 3, 2016, at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Florida Gators defensive lineman Taven Bryan (93) reacts just before being ejected from the game during the SEC Championship football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 3, 2016, at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

123. . DT. Florida. Taven Bryan. 19. player

The Dallas Cowboys endured a great deal of turmoil on the offensive side of the ball in 2017 with the on-again-off-again-on-again suspension of Ezekiel Elliott, but expect them to address the defense with their first selection in 2018.

Florida defensive tackle Taven Bryan was one of the most explosive players in college football and has perhaps the highest upside of any front seven player from this class. At 6-foot-4 and 291 pounds, Bryan possesses rare quickness for an interior player and can disrupt plays in opposing backfields before they have the chance to get started. He has a great motor and his versatility to line up inside and outside will make a valuable commodity on day one of the draft.

The Cowboys could lose DeMarcus Lawrence via free agency and if that’s the case, they may very well use their first selection on a defensive lineman for the second consecutive year. Despite Bryan’s athletic gifts, he still lacks some of the awareness and savvy of other pass-rushers in this class and a lack of production at Florida (just 5.5 career sacks) could be worrisome for some teams.

The Cowboys could look at linebacker if either Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds fall but for now, Jerry Jones gets himself an interior disrupter with a high ceiling to help offset the potential loss of Lawrence.

Home/NFL Draft