Cowboys Rumors: Cowboys to draft Pittsburgh DT prospect Aaron Donald at #16?

With May's NFL Draft just over a month away, Cowboys rumors will be switching gears as the Dallas Cowboys deliberate internally over who to select with the 16th overall pick.

Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News posits former Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald as one logical answer to that question in his latest post on DallasNews.com:

"The Cowboys just signed Henry Melton, a former Pro Bowler who figures to be slotted at the three-technique position that many believe Donald will play at the next level if picked by a team with a defense similar to the one Dallas has. But Melton’s contract is a one-year deal that includes a club option."

Sabin continued, adding:  "There is a chance Melton won’t perform as an elite player considering he is recovering from anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee."

If that happens to be the case, the Dallas Cowboys would have a cost-effective replacement in Aaron Donald, who may be able to provide comparable production for the Cowboys without the added injury history.

All of this speculation surrounding Aaron Donald in Dallas may also be a little hasty, as the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers are also said to be coveting Donald at the #14 and #15 overall picks respectively.

However, if both teams choose to pass on Donald, the Dallas Cowboys could find an immense bargain in picking him up at #16. Donald has a very good balance of speed for a defensive tackle (4.68 seconds at the NFL Combine), along with strength (35 reps at 225 lbs on the bench press at the Combine).

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