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LT Overton's disappointing draft slide finally comes to an end late in the 4th Round

Alabama DE LT Overton, once a projected day one or day two pick, finally came off the board on day three.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Alabama DE LT Overton was considered a potential Top 50 pick in the NFL Draft a year ago before he decided to return to Tuscaloosa for his senior season.

He came back to improve his consistency finishing the backfield. He was one of the best players in college football at shedding blocks, but struggled to actually finish plays. He managed just three tackles-for-loss and two sacks a year ago.

He doubled those numbers as a senior to six TFLs and four sacks, but it still wasn't the All-American kind of season he hoped for.

Couple that with a mysterious illness that forced him to miss the SEC Championship Game and the opening round of the College Football Playoff against Oklahoma, and his draft stock suffered as a result.

The first two days of the NFL Draft came and went with Overton remaining on the board. As we approached the end of the 4th Round on Saturday, Overton finally heard his name called by the Dallas Cowboys with the 137th overall pick:

LT Overton selected 137th overall by the Dallas Cowboys

Overton will join a Cowboys defensive line that features former Alabama star Quinnen Williams, whom Dallas acquired in a deal last year at the NFL's Trade Deadline.

The Cowboys run a multiple defense with a 3-4 base, but they mix in plenty of 4-2-5 and 4-3 looks as well. It's obvious why they would target Overton in the middle rounds; he's a defensive lineman with a lot of versatility to play inside and out.

He played both DE and DT for the Crimson Tide over his two seasons in Tuscaloosa. He'll likely fill both spots for the Cowboys, too, providing nice depth along the Dallas defensive line at multiple positions.

Overton was a former 5-star recruit who has a lot of potential as a disruptor at the next level. He doesn't have a ton of speed off the edge, but if he can bulk up, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him become a really good pass-rushing defensive tackle in the NFL.

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