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In a ten-part series, we are going to take a comprehensive look at the Cowboys and how they might get better in 2017. This is part eight(b).
In part one of this 10-part series, we set the ground rules by discussing the Cowboys’ team-building philosophy. In parts two, three, and four, we looked at where the Cowboys are strong, okay, and weak. In part five, we showed how the Cowboys can create cap space to sign in-house and outside free agents. In part six, we divided the Cowboys’ in-house free agents into three piles, likely to keep, possible keepers, and unlikely to keep. In part seven, we looked at the external free agent options on offense. In part eight(a), we talked about outside free agents for the secondary. This article will discuss the defensive line.
What holes does Dallas need to fill with free agents on defense?
Before looking at the free agents available, we need to recall two things. First, let’s revisit the ground rules by which the Cowboys operate. In the first article in this series, we talked about five elements of the Cowboy’s team philosophy. The last three are relevant here.
3. Plug holes through free agency, but don’t break the bank.
4. Go into the draft with holes filled, so you can take the best player available.
5. Stay young. Don’t re-sign any player over 30.
The most important of these is #4 - to use free agency to fill holes so the team can draft the best player available when their turn comes. OCC’s article on Will McClay reaffirms this point.
That leads us to the second point - the fourth article in this series where we identified the Cowboys’ holes. On defense, the Cowboys have two big holes - cornerback and safety. They also need to upgrade the pass rush, but with seven linemen under contract, they could survive by focusing on the draft. As long as Jaylon Smith returns, they are in the best shape at linebacker.
Dallas has plenty of internal options to fill these slots. The question is whether they can A) do better, and/or B) find someone as good on a more affordable deal.
Defensive End (including Outside Linebackers)
The Cowboys already have four or five defensive ends - DeMarcus Lawrence, Benson Mayowa, Tyrone Crawford, and Charles Tapper. David Irving can also play DE, and may be at his best there, as he was at the end of the Tampa Bay game last year. If they add another in free agency, who moves inside? Tyrone Crawford? He has health problems as it is, and says playing outside keeps him from getting beaten up so much. Mayowa is too light to play inside, Lawrence should be our best DE, and Charles Tapper was used as a 3-4 DE in college, which negated some of his speed. Despite Jerry Jones talking about a “war daddy” it’s not clear whether Dallas will sign any new edge rusher.
This is especially true if Dallas decides to draft a defensive end with their first round pick, which seems to be where most mocks send them. Drafting a defensive end makes sense because:
- DeMarcus Lawrence is on the last year of his contract, and his health and suspension issues, and lack of production in 2016 raise questions as to whether Dallas will seek to extend him beyond this season.
- Tyrone Crawford has a contract that will keep Dallas from cutting him soon, but he doesn’t seem to be the long-term answer.
- Randy Gregory can’t be counted on to ever play again.
- Charles Tapper was sidelined by back issues last year and is largely unknown.
With uncertainty down the road, Dallas needs to keep adding linemen in search of ones who can stick. This is best done through the draft.
So, while Dallas may have a potentially crowded situation for 2017, they might suddenly have the kind of holes they have in the secondary if they don’t keep filling. Dallas has also carried 10 defensive linemen at times, which could allow them to “redshirt” a rookie defensive linemen who isn’t quite ready in his first year.
With that in mind, let’s look at who might be available at defensive end.
DEFENSIVE END
AGE
TEAM
2016 AAV
MARKET VALUE
Calais Campbell
Calais Campbell
30
ARI
$11,000,000
Market Value
Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul
28
NYG
$10,000,000
Market Value
Mario Williams
Mario Williams
32
MIA
$8,500,000
-
Jabaal Sheard
Jabaal Sheard
27
NE
$5,500,000
Market Value
Glenn Dorsey
Glenn Dorsey
31
SF
$4,362,500
-
Chris Baker
Chris Baker
29
WAS
$3,000,000
Market Value
Charles Johnson
Charles Johnson
30
CAR
$3,000,000
Market Value
Andre Branch
Andre Branch
27
MIA
$2,750,000
Market Value
Chris Long
Chris Long
31
NE
$2,375,000
-
Vance Walker
Vance Walker
29
DEN
$2,000,000
-
Stephen Paea
Stephen Paea
28
CLE
$1,900,000
Market Value
Mario Addison
Mario Addison
29
CAR
$1,280,000
Market Value
Lawrence Guy
Lawrence Guy
26
BAL
$1,150,000
-
Jack Crawford
Jack Crawford
28
DAL
$1,100,000
-
Tony Jerod-Eddie
Tony Jerod-Eddie
26
SF
$1,000,000
-
Cullen Jenkins
Cullen Jenkins
36
WAS
$985,000
-
Antonio Smith
Antonio Smith
35
HOU
$985,000
-
Darryl Tapp
Darryl Tapp
32
NO
$985,000
-
Evander Hood
Evander Hood
30
WAS
$935,000
-
Margus Hunt
Margus Hunt
29
CIN
$917,776
-
Wallace Gilberry
Wallace Gilberry
32
CIN
$885,000
-
Justin Trattou
Justin Trattou
28
MIN
$810,000
-
Billy Winn
Billy Winn
27
DEN
$760,000
-
Cam Thomas
Cam Thomas
30
LA
$760,000
-
Kendall Reyes
Kendall Reyes
27
KC
$760,000
-
C.J. Wilson
C.J. Wilson
29
CHI
$760,000
-
Jarvis Jenkins
Jarvis Jenkins
28
KC
$760,000
-
John Hughes
John Hughes
28
TB
$760,000
-
Damion Square
Damion Square
28
LAC
$725,000
-
Damontre Moore
Damontre Moore
24
SEA
$675,000
-
Greg Scruggs
Greg Scruggs
26
NE
$667,500
-
William Gholston
William Gholston
25
TB
$640,136
Market Value
Devin Taylor
Devin Taylor
27
DET
$615,146
Market Value
Cornelius Washington
Cornelius Washington
27
CHI
$565,947
-
As before, the most expensive guys on this list are just not realistic targets for the Cowboys. This pretty much rules out Calais Campbell ($8.3M plus 30 years old), and Jason Pierre-Paul who was just franchise tagged by the Giants ($14.6M, with mangled hand). These are the others that Spotrac has estimated market value for.
Jabaal Sheard, 27, $8.8 million, 580 snaps, PFF 79.6.
Chris Baker, 29, $7.3 million, 783 snaps, PFF 82.2 (rated as interior DL).
Charles Johnson, 30, $5.9 million, 541 snaps, PFF 81.4.
Andre Branch, 27, $7.2 million, 774 snaps, PFF 56.4.
William Gholston, 25, $5.8 million, 585 snaps, PFF 45.1.
Devin Taylor, 27, $7 million, 665 snaps, PFF 39.1.
Of these, Sheard looks too expensive while Johnson is over 30. Baker might make more sense inside, but he’s really a 3-4 DE.
If you throw in the outside linebackers who might switch to defensive end, here’s that list.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
AGE
TEAM
2016 AAV
MARKET VALUE
DeMarcus Ware
DeMarcus Ware
34
DEN
$10,000,000
Market Value
Robert Mathis
Robert Mathis
35
IND
$9,000,000
-
Julius Peppers
Julius Peppers
37
GB
$8,666,667
-
Nick Perry
Nick Perry
26
GB
$5,050,000
Market Value
Trent Cole
Trent Cole
34
IND
$4,250,000
-
Barkevious Mingo
Barkevious Mingo
26
NE
$4,086,750
-
Erik Walden
Erik Walden
31
IND
$4,000,000
-
Paul Kruger
Paul Kruger
31
NO
$3,000,000
-
Chad Greenway
Chad Greenway
34
MIN
$2,750,000
-
Akeem Ayers
Akeem Ayers
27
IND
$2,600,000
-
Jarvis Jones
Jarvis Jones
27
PIT
$2,176,376
-
Melvin Ingram
Melvin Ingram
27
LAC
$2,099,559
Market Value
Chandler Jones
Chandler Jones
26
ARI
$2,043,138
Market Value
Datone Jones
Datone Jones
26
GB
$1,929,147
-
Andrew Gachkar
Andrew Gachkar
28
DAL
$1,750,000
-
John Simon
John Simon
26
HOU
$1,671,000
-
James Harrison
James Harrison
38
PIT
$1,375,000
-
Mark Herzlich
Mark Herzlich
29
NYG
$1,300,000
-
Courtney Upshaw
Courtney Upshaw
27
ATL
$1,250,000
-
Bryan Braman
Bryan Braman
29
PHI
$1,047,500
-
Dwight Freeney
Dwight Freeney
37
ATL
$1,000,000
-
Michael Morgan
Michael Morgan
29
SEA
$1,000,000
-
Philip Wheeler
Philip Wheeler
32
ATL
$965,000
-
Lorenzo Alexander
Lorenzo Alexander
33
BUF
$885,000
Market Value
Sam Acho
Sam Acho
28
CHI
$840,000
-
Spencer Paysinger
Spencer Paysinger
28
MIA
$840,000
-
Lerentee McCray
Lerentee McCray
26
BUF
$800,000
-
Dekoda Watson
Dekoda Watson
28
DEN
$760,000
-
Chris Carter
Chris Carter
27
IND
$760,000
-
Josh Bynes
Josh Bynes
27
DET
$760,000
-
Corey Lemonier
Corey Lemonier
25
NYJ
$675,813
-
Alex Okafor
Alex Okafor
26
ARI
$658,607
-
Jelani Jenkins
Jelani Jenkins
24
MIA
$658,172
-
Josh Martin
Josh Martin
25
NYJ
$630,000
-
Tourek Williams
Tourek Williams
25
LAC
$567,515
-
Michael Mauti
Michael Mauti
27
NO
$555,682
-
Armonty Bryant
Armonty Bryant
26
DET
$555,150
-
David Bass
David Bass
26
TEN
$540,000
-
DeMarcus Ware is estimated at $5.9M. He has already been debated on BTB more than once. Despite his age, he could be an option, depending on price. At this price, he looks a bit too expensive. But at $5M or less, he might be a good choice if he came on a one- or two-year deal with no carryover cost if he retired after next season. The reason to consider him is that he would bring what Randy Gregory was drafted to bring — speed off the edge. That’s one thing lacking in Dallas’s defense. As others have mentioned, he would also be a good mentor and teacher for DeMarcus Lawrence, Benson Mayowa, David Irving, and the other linemen.
Melvin Ingram ($17.2 M) and Chandler Jones ($16.2M) are too expensive and both have received the franchise tag. Not only is it a money issue, it’s a snaps issue. Olivier Vernon, for example, the high priced free agent the Giants signed last year, played 1,040 defensive snaps last year, the most in the NFL. Tyrone Crawford led Dallas defensive ends with 593 snaps, for 59th in the NFL. In Rod Marinelli’s rotation, it’s even more challenging to pay top dollar.
Nick Perry, 26, $8.5M, 606 snaps. He’s the other most intriguing candidate besides Ware. OCC had an article on him recently. At 6-3, 265, he’s got the size to play defensive end, and he’s the perfect age. But will the Packers let him go?
If the Cowboys added Ware, he would likely play no more than 320-400 snaps, or 20-25 per game if he stayed healthy the whole season. He would largely serve as a stop gap until Randy Gregory returned, or if Gregory never returns, until Dallas could draft another edge rusher with speed.
If Perry was the move, the Cowboys would be looking for him to settle in for four-five years and perhaps take the role they hoped DeMarcus Lawrence would fill.
Defensive Tackle
Dallas is thinner at defensive tackle, especially if Tyrone Crawford is left outside next year. Terrell McClain could be brought back, but was injured two of his three years here. Let’s see what’s available on the market.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
AGE
TEAM
2016 AAV
MARKET VALUE
Vince Wilfork
Vince Wilfork
35
HOU
$4,500,000
-
Domata Peko
Domata Peko
32
CIN
$4,500,000
-
Earl Mitchell
Earl Mitchell
29
MIA
$4,000,000
-
Tyson Alualu
Tyson Alualu
29
JAC
$3,000,000
-
Jonathan Babineaux
Jonathan Babineaux
35
ATL
$3,000,000
-
Nick Fairley
Nick Fairley
29
NO
$3,000,000
-
Dontari Poe
Dontari Poe
26
KC
$2,830,002
Market Value
Frostee Rucker
Frostee Rucker
33
ARI
$2,159,375
-
Alan Branch
Alan Branch
32
NE
$2,150,000
-
Sean Lissemore
Sean Lissemore
29
LAC
$2,000,000
-
Sylvester Williams
Sylvester Williams
28
DEN
$1,895,438
Market Value
Karl Klug
Karl Klug
28
TEN
$1,850,000
-
Stefan Charles
Stefan Charles
28
DET
$1,750,000
-
Corbin Bryant
Corbin Bryant
29
BUF
$1,671,000
-
Tyrunn Walker
Tyrunn Walker
26
DET
$1,600,000
-
Kawann Short
Kawann Short
28
CAR
$1,157,584
Market Value
Terrell McClain
Terrell McClain
28
DAL
$1,016,667
-
Johnathan Hankins
Johnathan Hankins
25
NYG
$1,007,672
-
Kedric Golston
Kedric Golston
33
WAS
$1,005,000
-
Tony McDaniel
Tony McDaniel
32
SEA
$985,000
-
Leger Douzable
Leger Douzable
30
BUF
$885,000
-
Brandon Thompson
Brandon Thompson
27
CIN
$840,000
-
Kyle Love
Kyle Love
30
CAR
$760,000
-
Ricardo Mathews
Ricardo Mathews
29
PIT
$760,000
-
Sealver Siliga
Sealver Siliga
27
TB
$760,000
-
Bennie Logan
Bennie Logan
27
PHI
$758,108
-
Devon Still
Devon Still
27
HOU
$675,000
-
John Jenkins
John Jenkins
27
SEA
$675,000
-
Jordan Hill
Jordan Hill
26
JAC
$675,000
-
Brandon Williams
Brandon Williams
27
BAL
$668,750
Market Value
Akeem Spence
Akeem Spence
25
TB
$661,106
-
Stacy McGee
Stacy McGee
27
OAK
$559,670
-
Kawaan Short ($17.4M), Dontari Poe ($12.1M), and Brandon Williams ($12.4M) are too expensive and Short got the franchise tag.
Sylvester Williams ($4.5M) would be affordable, but is Dallas likely to spend that kind of money at defensive tackle? Unlikely after the Cedric Thornton experiment didn’t go so well in year one.
The more likely move, if Dallas is going to sign anyone for the inside, would be to bring back Terrell McClain or Jack Crawford on cheap contracts. But this is unlikely to be a high priority.
Perhaps the most likely scenario is for Dallas to look to add inside in the draft, like they did with Maliek Collins. This will keep them young, and allow them to keep seeking difference makers without having to spend a lot of money to do so.
Part 1: What Is Dallas’s Team Building Philosophy?
Part 2: Where is Dallas Strong?
Part 3: Where is Dallas Just Okay?
Part 4: Where is Dallas Weakest?
Part 5: Freeing up Money For Free Agent Signings
Part 6: In-house Free Agents
Part 7: Outside Free Agents on Offense
Part 8a: Outside Free Agents, Defensive Secondary
Next - Part 9: Drafting on Offense
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