Mazi Do-Over? Cowboys Draft Dominant DT Jer’Zhan Newton in The Ringer Mock

The Dallas Cowboys seem to constantly get mocked offensive linemen for the 2024 NFL Draft. But what if they boost the trenches on the other side of the ball?

The Dallas Cowboys hired defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to bring this defense to the next level, both physically and philosophically. After getting criticized for being too flimsy against the run and not physical enough when it mattered most, it makes sense for Dallas to consider adding mass to its defense.

However, it seems like every mock draft has the Cowboys replacing one of its offensive tackles or drafting a center to replace Tyler Biadasz. Those are justified picks given the Cowboys’ need to get younger up front, but offensive linemen make up the three most common Dallas picks, per NFL Mock Draft Database.

That shouldn’t necessarily be the case given how catastrophically this season ended.

Nov 25, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton (4) sacks Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Ben Bryant (2) during the first half at Memorial Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

In The Ringer’s latest mock draft, Ben Solak took the bold stance of giving Zimmer a kind of talent that former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn lacked – a dominant threat in the middle of the defensive line.

With pick No. 24, Dallas took Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton.

This may be a slap in the face to last year’s first-round selection, Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith, but the Cowboys’ competitive window may accelerate their evaluation period of the Wolverine.

Smith wasn’t good as a rookie, and going into next season without an adequate plan to address the interior is a dangerous proposition.

“There is still a need at the position besides Osa Odighizuwa,” Solak wrote. “Newton is an explosive penetration player who may not be the stout run defender Dallas has been long pursuing, but he’s actually weirdly good against the run given how easily he penetrates gaps and bends around blockers.”

While not an elite run defender, the 6-2, 295-pound Newton isn’t being drafted for his ability to two-gap (which was the case with Mazi). Adding another interior presence could unlock the Cowboys' pass rush in a way last year’s unit couldn’t – by punishing teams for eliminated edge rusher Micah Parsons.

The superstar edge will long be the focus of opposing gameplans, but there are only so many double teams and protection help teams can offer. A second defensive tackle with the ability to push the pocket and force passers to scramble into Parsons’ path is a recipe for success.

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His strength against the run just happens to be a bonus.

Giving Zimmer the talent to truly weaponize the defense may be a necessary path forward given the trouble the NFC’s competitors pose with their offenses.