CBS Sports: Dallas Cowboys should watch Penn State’s Kalen King

Even though the 2023 NFL season is upon us, it’s never too early to look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft and the top prospects expected to come off the board. And if things go the way the Dallas Cowboys expect, their pick will be announced by the time midnight rolls around on the east coast.

Given the talent on both sides of the ball projected to be coming out, the Cowboys should have some solid options to choose from. Josh Edwards of CBS Sports recently highlighted one player who could be of interest to Dallas with their future selection: Kalen King of Penn State.

The junior cornerback is entering his third season with the Nittany Lions, coming off a season which earned him a third-team All-Big Ten selection. In 13 games, King recorded three interceptions, 30 tackles (23 solo) and 18 passes defended. Mel Kiper of ESPN listed King as the No. 11 overall player on his 2024 NFL Draft Big Board heading into the 2023 college football season.

“Stephon Gilmore will soon turn 33 and is entering the final year of his contract,” Edwards wrote. “Either next year or soon thereafter, Dallas needs to have a backup plan in motion. King steps in across from Trevon Diggs. He has replaced Joey Porter Jr. as the cornerback to know in Happy Valley.”

Kalen King returns as one of the most important pieces of Penn State’s defense

King will look to take the next step in his development under the guidance of defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, entering his second season in Happy Valley. Diaz’s defense finished the 2022 campaign 16th in the nation, and returns a cast of stars including King.

Ahead of the season opener against West Virginia, King talked about the impact Diaz has had on the defense as a whole.

“Coach Manny preaches it every day before practice,” King said. “We have meetings where we meet with the unit, we just go over plays, what he expects from us, calls for the day, just things of that nature. So every time we take the field, anytime Manny is out there with us, we have a purpose to do it for. Manny’s one of those coaches who makes you want to play for him. He motivates you to play for him.”

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