Dallas sits down with Alabama DE Terrell Lewis ahead of draft

The Dallas Cowboys have shown interest in Alabama defender Terrell Lewis.

Most of the Cowboys draft needs are direct results of this years free agency period, where Dallas lost at least four starters on defense. While the Cowboys were able to find suitable replacements at safety and defensive tackle, finding a pass rushers to replace Robert Quinn’s double-digit sack numbers  hasn’t been as easy.

The Cowboys still have the upcoming NFL Draft to help round out the roster, and reports suggest that Dallas is trying to learn all they can about Alabama edge rusher Terrell Lewis.

Lewis, at 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds is an athletic, intriguing prospect for teams who offers a high reward but comes with some risks as well. After missing most of his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa with ACL and upper arm injuries, Lewis was finally able to stay on the field for most of the 2019 season, where he racked up six sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and earned Second Team All-SEC honors.

The durability questions mean Lewis is available after the first round in most experts’ mock drafts. It seems unlikely the Cowboys would consider the Alabama defensive end at pick 17, however, Dallas’ second selection (pick 51) is right in line with Lewis’ draft projections.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic writes:

“A one-year starter at Alabama, Lewis played Sam outside linebacker in head coach Nick Saban’s 3-4 base scheme, rushing from both a two- and three- point stance. He missed almost all of the 2017 and 2018 seasons due to injuries, but stayed on the field in 2019 and reminded everyone of his freakish tools. Different than most Alabama pass rushers under Saban, Lewis has the long frame and sudden athleticism to disrupt the pocket. However, his play motor is better than his instincts and he must introduce more variety and shed strength into his rush plan. Overall, Lewis is still unrefined with his setup and feel as an upfield player, but he is long, rangy and explosive with similar upside as Danielle Hunter when he entered the league, projecting as an impact NFL pass rusher if he reaches his potential and stays healthy.”

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

“The evaluation requires both projection and a small leap of faith due to durability concerns after he missed most of two full seasons. He needs to fill out his long, athletic build with more girth and muscle to help set stronger edges and hold his ground against downhill rushing attacks. He’s played in just 26 games, so he’s less technically sound than most Alabama defenders at this stage, but he was still productive and showed growth as a player in-season. With more coaching and development as a rusher, he should be able to pair traits with skill to become a future NFL starter, provided his health issues are in the past.”

Currently, Demarcus Lawrence is the lone standout defensive end on the Cowboys roster. Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory are exciting to think about, but until the league rules on each of their reinstatement efforts, Dallas can’t rely on the two.

Of course, this years draft offer challenges no draft has before. Due to the ongoing pandemic, teams were unable to meet with prospects face-to-face in the last month, meaning it’s unlikely that the Cowboys preferred doctor could examine Lewis before the draft. This uncertainty may scare away some teams from using the high draft capital it will most likely take to acquire the talented pass rusher.

The Cowboys will have to weigh the pros and cons before ultimately deciding if Lewis’ upside is worth a shot, but it’s clear he has the talent and frame to make a career for himself in the NFL.

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