Cowboys draft Western Michigan DE Marshawn Kneeland with No. 56 pick

Dallas attacks a sneaky need by grabbing the Western Michigan star to augment their defensive line rotation. Follow the money. From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys had to wait around for approximately two hours on Friday, but finally, No. 56 was on the clock. This round, the team chose to stay put instead of trading out, selecting Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.

The Cowboys lost two of their rotational edge defenders in free agency, as both Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler exited the team. Starting left defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is on the final year of his contract and the team needs rotational help behind he and Micah Parsons as starters, and alongside Sam Williams.

Kneeland, 6-foot-3, 267 pounds, is a highly athletic edge defender who was rated as a borderline first-round talent by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. He has some of the longest arms at the position in this draft.