Jerry Jones provides color on why Dallas Cowboys selected John Ridgeway in 2022 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys added some beef to the defensive line this weekend, selecting defensive tackle John Ridgeway out of Arkansas with the No. 178 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Dallas selected defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna out of Kentucky in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but the Cowboys wanted to continue adding depth at that position.

Following the selection of Ridgeway in the 2022 NFL Draft, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones explained what went into that decision.

“Mike (McCarthy) said, ‘We got our boy Bohanna from Kentucky, we need two of these big guys. They can alternate some plays.’ So I’m proud for him,” Jones said. “He’s a unique pick for us relative to most of the years we’ve picked with the Dallas Cowboys. We’ve usually had less size and more quickness. Of course Bohanna has that, along with the size.

“I’ve always – on our defense against the running game – have always held my breath on getting big boy’d in there. This is a real statement in my mind with Dan (Quinn) and Mike as to address the run game when we get into the playoffs. Mike was sitting there all day going, ‘Playoffs, playoffs, just remember the playoffs.'”

The Cowboys gave up 169 rushing yards in their playoff loss to the 49ers. That had an impact on Dallas drafting DT John Ridgeway (6-5, 320) in the fifth round, a year after drafting DT Quinton Bohanna (6-4, 360) in the sixth round.

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— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 1, 2022

The Cowboys got a productive player in Ridgeway

Prior to joining Arkansas ahead of the 2021 season, Ridgeway was a great player at Illinois State from 2017 through 2021. But with the Razorbacks, Ridgeway established himself as a highly productive defensive lineman at the highest level of collegiate competition.

In the 2021 season, Ridgeway played in 11 games for Arkansas. He totaled 39 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks and was strong against the run. After the Cowboys struggled to stop the run in their playoff loss this past season, he will hope to solidify the unit on the interior of the defensive line next season.

Last season, the Cowboys ranked middle of the pack in most defensive categories, allowing 351 total yards per game, including 238.2 passing yards and 112.8 rushing yards. Dallas also allowed 21.1 points per game. But once the playoffs arrived, the Cowboys defense struggled, and fixing those woes was clearly a top priority in the draft.