Cowboys Eyeing Linebacker Rolder, Boosting Defense

0:00On April 20, Dallas Cowboys are eyeing linebacker Jimmy Roder for Michigan as a sneaky perfect fit for their defense. Mel Kuiper loves this guy for his speed off the edge, solid run-stops with an 80.1 pro football focus grade last year and even coverage, skills. Plus, he has that green dot experience calling plays. With just 35 sacks last season and the worst past defense in the league, Dallas needs this versatility, especially if they wait till day. Three of the draft. Their recent Dexter Lawrence trade between the Giants and Bengals shakes things up for the Cowboys at Pick 12. Fans first panic thinking, New York would snag both top Ohio State defenders, sunny styles and Caleb Downs. But the Giants probably won't double up on defense or offense with their top 10 picks. Boosting Dallas is shot at landing one of those elite, playmakers as the Bengals likely go defense earlier. Cowboys nation had mixed reactions to the trade news, but history at the 20th overall pick offers some hope.

1:01Back in 2005, they took defensive end Marcus Spears from LSU, who posted 226 tackles and 10 sacks over eight solid. Years before ESPN gigs. Before him in 1999, Ebenezer Ekuban started hot with nine sacks his first two seasons, but injuries derailed him until he bounced back. Elsewhere. Comparing trades, the Cowboys deal for Williams from the Jets looks even better next to the Giants sending Lawrence to Cincinnati. Dallas paid less for a slightly superior player without a big new contract, while New York got solid value back. Both NFC Esquat seemed to win on paper here. As the draft nears, these moves and prospects line up to patch those defensive holes, setting Dallas up for a stronger front 7 no matter how the board falls.