NFL Mock Draft 2014: Dallas Cowboys Select Kony Ealy

Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

Following his third consecutive 8-8 season, Jason Garrett and the Cowboys have their hands full with trying to piece together a defense that may be coming off of one of the worst seasons in NFL history. In 2013, Dallas allowed 27 points per game (7th most in NFL) and allowed 415.3 yards per game (most in NFL). As a matter of fact, Dallas allowed the 3rd most total offensive yards in NFL history with 6,645 and allowed the 2nd most first downs in NFL history with 388. To explain further how bad Dallas' defense could be, the Cowboys allowed over 600 yards of offense TWICE in 2013 (against Detroit and New Orleans), a dubious feat that the Saints didn't accomplish once in their historically bad 2012 defensive campaign.

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Injuries were a big factor for the 2013 Cowboys defense, but moving forward, the Cowboys seem to be in full rebuild mode with their front seven. Of their 34 recorded sacks last season, 17 of them were by players who are no longer with the team. The loss of 2013 Pro Bowl DT Jason Hatcher and 7 time Pro Bowl OLB Demarcus Ware open up some huge holes on an already porous defense. Needless to say, the Cowboys have a lot of work to do in this draft.

With Anthony Barr going to Tennessee with the 11th pick and Aaron Donald going to Chicago with the 14^th pick, the Cowboys try to find a piece in the first round that will immediately come in and provide a pass rush for a front seven in desperate need of play makers. At this point, Kony Ealy is the best man for the job.

At 6'4", 273 pounds, the Missouri Tiger standout has the athletic ability to contribute immediately to what appears to be a rather weak defensive line. Ealy spent time all over the defensive line and at outside linebacker at Missouri, proving his versatility. I believe that Rod Marinelli will be able to get the best out of Ealy, and that could end up being very scary for Cowboy opponents in the future. The 22 year old has excellent agility and all of the tools necessary to develop into a double digit sack guy.

While one can argue that defensive tackle or outside linebacker are just as great of a need for the Cowboys, the talent gap between the 2nd round guys at these positions and those currently available are not as great as the gap between Ealy and the guys available at DE in the 2nd round. There is no question that Ealy is the 2nd best DE in this draft, behind only Jadaveon Clowney. Kony Ealy is a nice fit for what should be a draft filled with defensive prospects for the Cowboys.

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