FRISCO - If this storyline can continue for the positive, the Dallas Cowboys might've found one of the biggest steals in recent NFL Draft memory.
Standing at 6-3, 325 pounds, former UCLA Bruins defensive tackle Jay Toia was built to stop the run. And stop the run he did in college. The Cowboys selected Toia with one of their three seventh-round draft picks earlier this month, and he's impressing early in the offseason.
During Thursday's voluntary OTAs, Toia got repeated work with the team's starters who were present. If he can prove to be as effective on Sundays as he was for the Bruins, then Dallas might've found competition for a disappointing pick two seasons ago.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys selected Michigan's Mazi Smith in the first round. And while he did show subtle signs of improvement last season, he's been a huge disappointment overall.
Pro Football Focus shows Toia had his best collegiate season last year with an overall grade of 69. While he might have a ways to go before breaking into a starting role in the NFL, he already appears to be trending upward.
It’s early. Guys rotate in. Nobody’s wearing pads. Nobody’s really hitting.
But …
The Cowboys were the fourth-worst run-stopping team last season, allowing 2,331 total yards and a league-worst 25 rushing touchdowns. Dallas was also third-worst in the NFL, allowing a whopping 4.8 yards per carry.
And for a Cowboys' defensive line in need of run-stopping help, Toia could be a Dallas seventh-round draft steal.