Joey Bosa's draft value couldn't be much higher, but if Charley Casserly is right, perhaps it should be.
The NFL Media analyst said Bosa is a more attractive draft prospect than three dynamic NFL defensive linemen. Casserly -- the former Washington Redskins and Houston Texans general manager -- was discussing Bosa's value within the context of the Dallas Cowboys' pick at No. 4 overall, noting the club's need for a pass-rushing defensive end.
"Some people will say he's not an elite player; shouldn't be taken that high. To me he's better than Ziggy Ansah, who (was drafted) around that point, he's better than Leonard Williams, who should've gone by that point in the draft," Casserly said on NFL Network's "Path to the Draft". "And guess what? He's a safer pick and will be more productive than Jadeveon Clowney has been. That answers that question to me."
Williams, the No. 6 pick of the New York Jets last year, was an active member of the Jets' defensive front as a rookie, making 63 tackles in 15 starts. More so than Williams, Ansah has been a pass-rushing presence in recording an average of 10 sacks per season over his first three years with the Detroit Lions. Clowney's NFL career started slowly due to injury, but the former No. 1 overall pick flashed some of his potential last year in recording 4.5 sacks over nine starts. Ansah was drafted No. 5 overall by the Lions in 2013.
Casserly noted Lance Zierlein's report that there isn't a positive consensus in the Cowboys building about Bosa as the No. 4 overall pick. The club has also been busy evaluating some of the draft's top quarterback prospects, although club owner Jerry Jones has said the pick won't be used on a quarterback. If that's the Cowboys' draft model, Bosa could be the best option.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and other club representatives traveled to the OSU campus last month to conduct a workout of Bosa and some other Buckeyes prospects. Dallas' need at defensive end stems from a variety of issues, from Randy Gregory's suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy to the health status of DeMarcus Lawrence, who underwent back surgery after the season. The club also has shown no apparent interest in re-signing troubled end Greg Hardy.
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