It wasn’t that long ago when the pass rush of the Dallas Cowboys was the heartbeat of the defense, with starters and depth to make most teams jealous. In what feels like the blink of an eye, the team suddenly finds itself in dire need of edge rushing help. They made a big trade to acquire Rashan Gary, but they still lack a developmental speed merchant who can turn the corner on third down. With the new defensive staff looking for explosive athletes who can create chaos in the backfield, it is time
to look at a prospect who has more stamps on his college passport than Forrest Gump.
DE, Romello Height, Texas Tech
Height: 6’3” | Weight: 239 pounds | Speed: 4.64 forty time
Background
Height has had quite the college journey. He started his career at Auburn, where he spent two years mostly learning the ropes before heading west to USC. His time with the Trojans was a bit of a rollercoaster, as a nagging shoulder injury unfortunately sidelined him just as he was finding his groove. Not one to settle down, he took his talents back east to Georgia Tech for a productive season before finally finishing his marathon six-year college career at Texas Tech. Along the way, he flashed elite potential and showed that when he is healthy, he is a nightmare for offensive tackles to keep in front of them.
Strengths
The first thing you notice about Height is an exceptional get-off. He possesses elite speed around the edge, and even when tackles pop out far, his speed compensates for the scenic route he has to take to get to the quarterback. He also has developed a sophisticated assortment of pass-rushing moves, including a nasty dip and rip that lets him get underneath the pads of larger blockers. He is the type of player who wins with flexibility and suddenness, making him a perfect fit for a sub-package role where his only job is to go get the ball.
Beyond just rushing the passer, Height shows surprising comfort when asked to drop into space. His coverage ability is a major plus for a modern defense, as he has the fluid feet to match up with running backs or shadow tight ends on short routes. He pairs this athleticism with a high motor that never seems to run out of gas, often chasing down plays from the backside or sprinting twenty yards downfield to make a tackle. This relentless energy is infectious.
Weaknesses
Because he is built more like a large safety than a traditional defensive end, Height does face some challenges in the trenches. His lack of elite size and play strength can sometimes render him ineffective against a determined power run game, as heavy offensive linemen can wash him out of the play if they get their hands on him first. He also has a habit of using an upright tackling style, which can lead to missed opportunities against shiftier ball carriers who can duck under his high target zone. Improving his leverage and adding some bulk to his frame will be the top priorities for his NFL strength coach.
The Fit
While he’s not your prototypical edge rusher, he is the kind of hybrid athlete that Christian Parker loves to use at the line of scrimmage. Parker looks for edge defenders who have the speed to stress the pocket and the intelligence to drop into coverage to confuse the quarterback. Height fits the Cowboys’ new vision of a fast, aggressive defense that prioritizes disruption over bulk. His ability to stand up as an outside linebacker or put his hand in the dirt in obvious passing situations gives the coaching staff the flexibility they need to stay creative with their pressure packages.
The Final Word
Given his long college road and injury history, Height is currently projected as a third-round pick. He could fall near the pick 92 vicinity where the Cowboys currently sit thanks to the Osa Odighizuwa trade with the 49ers. He represents a low-risk investment with the potential for a high reward as a designated pass rush specialist. He provides the speed and versatility that the current roster is missing in the depth spots. Drafting Height gives the Cowboys a specialized weapon that can keep the pressure on during passing downs.
