Although the defensive end wasn’t considered a high-priority position for the Cowboys, the Cowboys may be thinking long-term about the position and preparing for the future. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is getting older, which raises concerns about his ability to perform at the same level in the future.

Kneeland had 28 tackles for loss in his collegiate career at Western Michigan, providing strength and the ability to set the edge against the run. In his four years, he accumulated 12.5 sacks and a total of 149 tackles. Although the stats may not show it, he was skilled at bull-rushing quarterbacks causing chaos in the backfield.

Kneeland, still only 22 years old with plenty of room to grow, has landed in an ideal spot for a contender with a strong defense. He now has the opportunity to learn from elite-level players such as DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons.