Cowboys Defensive End News: Clifton Geathers Re-Signed, Michael Brockers In Play For Thursday Night?

Three nights away and finally the real thing will be here. The 2012 NFL Draft is almost here and everyone is getting anxious for the big event on Thursday. Nick Eatman of the mothership reported The Cowboys did make a move on Friday re-signing defensive end Clifton Geathers. The move isn't really a shocker because Geathers is a player the Cowboys obviously like. They signed him off waivers back in 2010 when the Seahawks released him.

Geathers intrigues the Cowboys front office for a couple of reasons. He has size at 6'7, and 320 pounds. His combine performance back in 2010 does show he has some athletic ability for a man of his stature. He ran a 4.98 40 yard dash, had a 36 inch vertical jump and a 7.69 three-cone drill.

His NFL.com combine profile is an interesting read.

Geathers has great size and above average strength for the defensive line position. He is better defending the run than the pass when he plays with good pad level. Geathers is inconsistent keeping good knee bend and his pad level down to maintain leverage on blockers. He can generate power once he gets going but he isn’t explosive off the line of scrimmage. Geathers needs lots of work developing his hand use and pass rush package. His technique is lacking to separate and shed. He only flashes as a playmaker and is an inconsistent reactor. Geathers is somewhat of a project and will need time to develop. There are some character concerns that need to be checked out.

His scouting report is pretty much spot on here. You shouldn't expect too much from him as a pass rusher, but he is really good against the run. He did flash some playmaking ability at South Carolina, that is why the Cowboys were willing to let him develop on their roster for a couple of years. This will be his make or break season with the Cowboys though. After this season, he may not get too many more opportunities to show the team he can play in their rotation on the defensive line. The Cowboys have been patient with him, but it is now time for Geathers to step up and play his best football.

He will have a tough time even making the 53 man roster this summer because the Cowboys will probably add at least one defensive end to stiffen up the competition. If Geathers can ever live up to his size and athletic ability, he would be a good rotational player as a five technique.

Take the jump for more defensive end news....

The big news of the week for the Cowboys is the speculation that they have basically narrowed their first-round draft choices down to about five prospects. KD Drummond's post cleverly discussed the speculation that the Cowboys are down to Fletcher Cox, Michael Brockers, Dontari Poe, Mark Barron and David DeCastro. Right now I am all in for Barron, but Cox would be a great pick for the defensive line. The problem is, Cox may be long gone before the Cowboys even get a chance to draft him.

Related: CBS Sports: Cowboys Have Five Targets For One Draft Pick, Will They Get Their Man?

If Cox and Barron are gone, and the Cowboys want to beef up the defensive line, well then Michael Brockers may be the pick. According to NFL.com writer Jason La Canfora, there may be an epic battle in the making between the Cowboys and their divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles.

If LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers makes it to the middle of the first round, he's a player Dallas (14th) and Philadelphia (one pick later) are very high on. Would one of them try to move into Arizona's spot at 13 to make sure they land him? It's one of the interesting flashpoints in this draft -- you're talking about two aggressive front offices that could be in direct competition for a player.

Brockers would be a great fit in Philly, but then again a lot of talented defensive players make a lot of sense for Andy Reid with the 15th overall pick. Would the Eagles be desperate enough to get their guy and move up in the draft just so their rival doesn't land the player they want? Sure it is possible, anything is possible in the draft. As odd as it was, the Cowboys have made draft day trades with the Eagles before, but in this case, they would be battling each other for the same player.

The Eagles are sitting right behind the Cowboys and will get our leftovers. That is an interesting way to look at the situation, but whoever Dallas passes on might become an Eagle. So that is something to mull over the next few days leading up until Thursday night.

As for Brockers, I think he is a legitimate backup plan for the Cowboys war room. If Fletcher Cox and Mark Barron are both gone (nightmare scenario), the Cowboys could take Brockers and call it a night. In my opinion, Brockers would be a good pick because of his upside. Yes there is a bust factor, but many scouts point out his combination of size and raw ability could transform into a dynamic defensive lineman down the road.

The defensive end position is seriously lacking in talent, and it has been for a couple of years now. Brockers as a rookie might be better than Marcus Spears and Kenyon Coleman combined. Having a disruptive defensive end would open up a lot of plays for the players around him. I am rooting for Cox or Barron, but I wouldn't be mad if Brockers ended up being the pick if both are gone.

The countdown has begun folks, in roughly 72-75 hours, we will know who the next great Cowboy is.