Todd McShay: Dallas Cowboys could land the steal of the first round of the NFL Draft

Experts aren’t sure where to collectively place Purdue‘s star defensive lineman George Karlaftis in the first round of their mock drafts, but Todd McShay noted that if the former Boilermakers is still on the board come Dallas’ selection at 24th overall, the Cowboys would be insane not to take him.

“I struggle with this evaluation and a lot of guys I’ve talked to in the league are struggling, too,” McShay said of Karlaftis. “I’ve heard a lot of people say he’s a top-20 pick. I put him at 24. Randy Gregory signed with Denver, so [the Cowboys have] got to bring in another edge rusher. I think Karlaftis would fit the bill.”

Gregory, a Pro Bowl alternate last season, initially re-signed with Cowboys before having a last second change of heart and high-tailing his way to Denver to play for the Broncos for the next five seasons. That leaves a void in the Cowboys’ defensive line and Karlaftis would fill that role beautifully.

Karlaftis compiled 39 tackles — including 10 tackles for loss — and 4.5 sacks for the Boilermakers in his junior season. But his freshman year was one for the ages when he had 54 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 2019.

“He didn’t have great sack production but he was also very disruptive, so I think in the bottom half of the first round is where Karlaftis winds up going,” McShay said. “I think Dallas would be a good spot for him at No. 24.”

Likewise, fellow NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper noted even before the NFL Combine last month that if Karlaftis falls to Dallas late in the first round, the selection is a no-brainer.

“As I mentioned in January when going through my first mock draft for this class, the Cowboys’ big list of free agents makes this a tough pick to project before April,” Kiper wrote. “They could have needs at all three levels of the defense depending on how free agency shakes out. For now, let’s get them a defensive end who would allow Micah Parsons to play more snaps at linebacker. 

“Karlaftis didn’t have eye-popping stats in 2021, but he is a good run defender who could get more sacks in the NFL than he had in college. He had just 4.5 last season. He’s tough and physical, though he doesn’t have the physical tools of a few other edge rushers in this class. Karlaftis’ athletic testing numbers at the combine will be closely watched.”

While his sack numbers are a concern, Karlaftis checks every other box. His speed, size, ability to stop the run and leadership skills that anchored the Purdue defense last season has earned him first-round mock status, but he’ll have to back it up once he hits the field for mini camp after the draft.