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NFL Draft Notebook: Dallas Cowboys address their defense and more

By John Blair

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Micah Parsons poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage after being selected 12th by the Dallas Cowboys during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Micah Parsons poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage after being selected 12th by the Dallas Cowboys during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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2022 NFL Draft sleeper Justin Rice
2022 NFL Draft sleeper Justin Rice Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

2022 NFL Draft Sleeper of the Week

This week’s Sleeper of the Week is linebacker Justin Rice. What makes Rice such an interesting prospect is the fact that he will finish his college career playing for three different schools and has already been named an all-conference pick in both the Sun Belt and Mountain West. Rice will likely establish himself as one of the top players in the Mountain West again this season when he will play his one and only season at Utah State.

As a prospect, the trait that really stands out with Rice is his instincts and ability to get to the ball. This past season Rice led Arkansas State in tackles with 76 tackles which was 22 more tackles than any other Red Wolf defender had. In 2019, he finished third in the Mountain West in tackles after recording 112 tackles for Fresno State. He has been a playmaker on defense as well having recorded ten sacks over the last two years and two interceptions in 2019.

While Rice’s production has been outstanding in college he does have some concerns when projecting him to the NFL. One of these issues is that he is not the strongest linebacker and has trouble getting off blocks at times. While Rice is far from a bad athlete he will need to post strong testing numbers, to prove he is the type of athlete who can succeed in the NFL.

Another red flag with Rice will be why did he transfer so much during his college career. While it helps that he followed his former Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson to Utah State and left Fresno State at least partly due to the issues California was having with Covid, a team will have to make sure no other issues were involved in him transferring.

When it comes to projecting Rice to the NFL he will project as someone who can make a contribution on special teams at the very least. If he puts up another strong year this season, adds some strength, and tests well he could be looked at as someone who could turn into a starting linebacker in the NFL down the road.

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