Yes. Still overpaying based on production and lack thereof. Neither I nor the Cowboys can do anything about the past sunk costs, but we can do something about it in the future.
Free Agency is not as easy as going to the concession stand where there is a specific price for each of a small, medium and large beer.
Just because Crawford is a bit over-paid at 7M this season, it does not mean they can just get a better player for the 7M.
Considering that the top DT averages 22.5M and the top DE averages 23.5M, signing a free agent that averages 7M is not going to mean getting a Great player.
If they sign a free agent that averages 7M, that player is not going to be radically better than Crawford and they'll likely have to give that player a multi-year contract.
The issue is not that Crawford will make 7M in 2019.
The issue is that they have not found a replacement for him in the draft.
If Crawford were as low level of player has many fans claim, then they should have been able to find a replacement with any random 4th round or later pick.
In terms of snaps counts played on defense for the Cowboys DLine:
Crawford
2018: 2nd most
2017: 3rd most
2016: 2nd most
2015: Most
Of the 3 positions that Crawford plays (3-tech DT, RDE and LDE), they have had more talented players on the roster at each position to start training camp most or all of the past 4 years; however, something always happens such that Crawford ends up in the top 3 in terms of snap counts.
2018:
RDE Gregory/Taco
3-tech: Collins/Irving
LDE: DLaw
Crawford ends up playing primarily at the 3-tech spot because Irving flaked out and then got injured and Collins was limited with a nagging foot injury.
They also had Datone Jones who looked like he might be a lower cost replacement for Crawford but he was injured in the pre-season and ended up on IR.
2017:
Crawford ends up playing primary at RDE.
They had used a 1st on Taco and had seemingly better fits at RDE Mayowa and Tapper on the roster, but Crawford ended up playing the most snaps at RDE.
They had also drafted Gregory previously to play RDE but he was in rehab/suspended.
2019:
The only legit NFL 3-tech under contract is M.Collins but he has had foot problems every year.
Irving and Datone Jones are free agents.
Crawford is 10x better than Daniel Ross.
It seems like they might be drafting another 3-tech despite fans wanting a big 1-tech.
Considering that they are likely gong to give DLaw a mega-contract, they're highly unlikely to sign an elite 3-tech DT.
In free agency, it really makes the most sense to ether sign an elite player or a low cost player. Signing a player that averages 7M does get an elite player but it also isn't really low cost either.