Should the Cowboys take Cameron Heyward at #9?

          Another contributor, Cameron Cook, has submitted an article to be posted on ReclinerQB.com.  Cameron makes a compelling argument that Cameron Heyward is not only the best defensive end in a deep class, but also that the Cowboys should pick him at #9 (much like the Jaguars did last year in picking Tyson Aluala), it worked out well for them....

By:  Cameron Cook

  Everyone knows that the Cowboys are in need of some solid renovations to their defense, the question is who should they draft with their No. 9 pick in the 1st round? I believe they should go with Cameron Heyward, defensive end out of Ohio State. Cameron Heyward in my opinion is a future All-Pro defensive end that will provide the backbone that the Cowboys need in their lineup. While many draft writers are pushing for Da’Quan Bowers out of Clemson or Marcell Dareus out of Alabama as the number one defensive playmaker in the draft, I think Heyward will be a steal, not only because of his great stats but also his potential to bring out the best in his other teammates, but I will get to that point later.

Heyward is 6’5’’ and nearly 290, already a great size for a 5-technique defensive end however, I would like to see him add about 10 to 15 more pounds within the next year or two but with his work ethic, I don’t believe that will be a problem. He did have elbow surgery, but other than that, he is in great health and would be ready to start playing as soon as he is drafted.

You can’t argue that the guy has got work ethic. In an interview he stated that “They'll see a guy who's ready to work hard every day… I want to keep getting better." He has been a consistently growing player on and off the field from day one at Ohio State. In fact, he has put up huge numbers (for a defensive end) since he first stepped on the field, with his biggest impact coming in the way he frees up linebackers and others to make plays. In his freshman year he had a total of 32 tackles and 2 sacks and by his senior year pumped that number up to 48 tackles with 4 sacks. While Da’Quan Bowers has better numbers, he does come from a softer conference (and more aggressive defensive for the defensive end) than Heyward, and as much as I hate to admit it, Heyward proved himself in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas. In that game he had a total of 6 tackles and 1 sack; to me this tells me that he will be a clutch player in big games, something that is in desperate need for the Cowboys defense. He will provide some much needed backbone that the defensive line needs and give Jay Ratliff some hope that he isn’t the only one making plays. And this is why I believe he will be a better potential player than both Dareus and Bowers. He has great passion for his position and has a drive to make himself a better player. With this attitude on the Cowboys lackluster defense, he could provide a spark for more playmakers to step forward in times of need.

While I do believe that Marcell Dareus would also fit greatly into the Cowboys defense as well, he is too highly sought after and doesn’t have the experience that Heyward carries. Dareus could collapse under the pressure of his high prestige, as the saying goes, “the bigger they are, the harder they fall.” And while Bowers’ and his numbers are hugely impressive, his knee injury that is being overlooked by some could prove fatal in the long run. In my own opinion, Cameron Heyward will be a steal for the Cowboys that they wouldn’t regret.