Micah Parsons Helper: Arkansas LB Drew Sanders to Cowboys in New NFL Mock Draft
As Det. Billy Rosewood once told his partner Sgt. John Taggert in the 1987 hit comedy Beverly Hills Cop II, “You can never have too much firepower.”
Hyperbole aside, the Dallas Cowboys might be smart to adopt that philosophy by selecting from a position of strength in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
In their latest mock draft offering, The Draft Network (utilizing the algorithmic expertise of their Mock Draft Machine), has the Cowboys selecting Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders with the 27th pick in the first round.
“Dallas getting Drew Sanders as another chess piece for Dan Quinn doesn’t really seem fair but here we are,” wrote The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs. “Don’t blame me, blame the ‘Mock Draft Machine.’ I would love, however, to see how Sanders and Micah Parsons could move around the same front seven together to test protections.”
As one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2023 draft class, Sanders will certainly have his share of suitors. Despite beginning his collegiate career as an EDGE defender at Alabama, the 6-5, 232 pounder converted to an off-ball linebacker. Sanders finished the 2022 season having compiled 37 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. Though he is more than capable of playing a three-down role, he is at his best when rushing the passer on third down.
“Sanders is implemented as a hybrid linebacker who can rush from the edge or play in stack alignments behind the defensive front,” says Crabbs. “A true EDGE at Alabama, Sanders uncovered new opportunities for himself as a member of the Razorback front. His hallmark physical traits include his physicality, good initial burst, and tackling skills.”
On the surface, Dallas may seem well-equipped at linebacker, with two-time first team All-Pro Micah Parsons as their alpha. However, beyond Parsons, the cupboard may soon be a bit bare. Linebackers Leighton Vander Esch and Anthony Barr will be free agents this offseason, leaving Dallas to count on a group of youngsters ...
And maybe a new draftee from the Razorbacks, who the Arkansas-based Jones family surely knows very well.
As a result, Sanders may be a hand-in-glove for for the Cowboys — as pairing him with Parsons would provide the team with arguably the NFL’s top linebacking tandem for many years to come.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.
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