FRISCO, Texas – Analysis of the four Cowboys fifth-round picks:
Name: Matt Waletzko (global selection No. 155)
Position: offensive tackle
Universidad: North Dakota
Height Weight: 6-7/310
Resume: Waletzko started 28 games in four seasons at North Dakota, including 10 last season. The Fighting Hawks allowed only three sacks during his time on the show, according to his official school biography. Waletzko is the second offensive lineman drafted by Dallas this week, joining first-round pick Tyler Smith, who is expected to compete at left guard as a rookie. Waletzko showed good lateral quickness for his size in college, and he likely gets a chance to compete for the backup tackle job behind eight-time Pro Bowl Tyron Smith and projected starting right tackle Terence Steele. Last year’s fourth-round pick Josh Ball is expected to work at right tackle and Smith will take some snaps at backup left tackle in addition to left guard.
Name: DaRon Bland (No. 167 overall pick)
Position: cornerback
Universidad: Fresno State
Height Weight: 6-0 / 197
Resume: Bland seems to fit the mold of big, long cornerbacks with very good ball skills. That’s the guy Dan Quinn has been trying to acquire since he took over as defensive coordinator, and Bland seems to fit the bill. He played just one year at Fresno State after one season at Sacramento State. Bland has college experience in the long jump and 60-meter dash, proving that he brings tremendous athleticism to the table. His 4.46 time at his Pro Day helped his cause, especially since he wasn’t invited to the combine. He is likely to step in and compete immediately with young cornerbacks Nahshon Wright and Kelvin Joseph.
Name: Damone Clark (No. 176 overall pick)
Position: linebacker
Universidad: LSU
Height Weight: 6-2/239
Resume: For the second year in a row, the Cowboys drafted an up-and-coming former LSU linebacker. Last year it was Jabril Cox, who is expected to compete for plays after undergoing ACL surgery last fall. Now Clark will have a chance, eventually, to earn a role on the team once he’s healthy. He reportedly underwent spinal fusion surgery in March to repair a herniated disc. Although his recovery time in 2022 is uncertain, the Cowboys clearly like his long-term prospects. He was a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award last year after leading the SEC with 135 tackles, the fourth-most in a single season in LSU history.
Name: John Ridgeway (global selection No. 178)
Position: defensive tackle
Universidad: Arkansas
Height Weight: 6-5/321
Resume: Ridgeway becomes the second Arkansas player drafted by the Cowboys since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989. He is a burly athlete who takes up space in the middle of the field. Ridgeway played three years at Illinois State before transferring to Arkansas for one season. He had two sacks and four tackles for loss, the most of his career in his only season in the SEC. He’s likely to replace the role the Cowboys played for Brent Urban, who missed most of last year with injury and hasn’t re-signed in free agency.
