Defensive Tackle

[Paperbag]

Eberflus may be what Mazi needs.

Quinn screwed him up, then Zimmer had to try to get him to rebound. And with all the injuries, one player can't lead the defense.
Now he will be learning another system,

It just might be but 3rd scheme in 3 years is tough on all of them

 

[Chasing6]

It just might be but 3rd scheme in 3 years is tough on all of them

He was asked to lose weight. Then had to try and gain it back. He should be back to who he is this year. He needs to be a space eater plan and simple.

 

[CCBoy]

He was asked to lose weight. Then had to try and gain it back. He should be back to who he is this year. He needs to be a space eater plan and simple.

He was well scouted and top shelf talented when he was told to change from a #1 to #3.

Randy White wasn't even a defensive tackle his first two seasons.

 

[conner01]

Exactly this! Mazi has all the physical tools, but doesn't command respect when he lines up. He needs to be a rotational piece who only is has to earn playing time.

Physically he is a beast. But his game is like a 175 lb guy out there. Poor technique and I think some is just poor effort

 

[Stsinaz12]

Depth contributors

Chauncey Golston: For the first three years of his NFL career, Golston was trapped by his own versatility. Most of his time in Dallas has featured him as interior line depth, and that's why he's on this episode of this series and not the defensive end portion, though his best season, by far, came in 2024, when he was tasked with helping out at the edge due to a ravaging of injury that cost the Cowboys several bodies there. Golston produced a career-high 5.5 sacks off of the edge, but also has value as a defensive tackle, making it worth consideration to keep him around.

BJ Hill: A little less costly than Williams, at a projection of $9 million annually (per Spotrac), Hill still presents a tangibly impactful option for the Cowboys at defensive tackle. Also a former third-round pick (2018), he spent the first four seasons of his NFL career combating the Cowboys for the Giants before joining the Bengals, where he's been since 2021. He's been more consistent than Williams by averaging four sacks per season over the last four campaigns, with 225 combined tackles in that timeframe, the latter showing exactly how often he's involved in both the pass rush and run defense.

Poona Ford: This portion of my list begin the midrange of financial expense, with Ford projected at near $6 million annually, and that is good value for a player who logged 17 starts last season. They weren't quiet starts, either, seeing as he not only had three sacks and 39 combined tackles, eight for a loss, but also five pass deflections (more than some defensive backs in the NFL) and an interception. His ability to disrupt passing lanes is stellar, and he's far from shabby in collapsing the pocket and defending the run — the fifth-highest graded interior defensive lineman in the league in 2024.

Teair Tart: Also on this end of the pricing spectrum is Tart, hovering around a projection of $5 million annually, though there is quite the value gap between Tart and Ford. Whereas Ford has proven himself a consistent starter, Tart hasn't logged a single start since 2019, but was available for all 17 games last season for the Chargers. I'm in for Tart as a depth piece, if he's willing to come in at lower than $5 million, because we've seen firsthand just how much depth can be tested at times in Dallas, and in the NFL as a whole, once the injury bug starts getting hungry.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...e-combo-meal-in-free-agency-exist-for-cowboys

I have zero faith that they will sign anyone from the outside for more than 2mill. Last time they did it was 2020 and they wiffed on all 4 guys.

 

[CCBoy]

I have zero faith that they will sign anyone from the outside for more than 2mill. Last time they did it was 2020 and they wiffed on all 4 guys.

$3 M is a strong contract for a non-starter. That comes with experience. They do the judging and merit involved.

 

[eromeopolk]

Depth contributors

Chauncey Golston: For the first three years of his NFL career, Golston was trapped by his own versatility. Most of his time in Dallas has featured him as interior line depth, and that's why he's on this episode of this series and not the defensive end portion, though his best season, by far, came in 2024, when he was tasked with helping out at the edge due to a ravaging of injury that cost the Cowboys several bodies there. Golston produced a career-high 5.5 sacks off of the edge, but also has value as a defensive tackle, making it worth consideration to keep him around.

BJ Hill: A little less costly than Williams, at a projection of $9 million annually (per Spotrac), Hill still presents a tangibly impactful option for the Cowboys at defensive tackle. Also a former third-round pick (2018), he spent the first four seasons of his NFL career combating the Cowboys for the Giants before joining the Bengals, where he's been since 2021. He's been more consistent than Williams by averaging four sacks per season over the last four campaigns, with 225 combined tackles in that timeframe, the latter showing exactly how often he's involved in both the pass rush and run defense.

Poona Ford: This portion of my list begin the midrange of financial expense, with Ford projected at near $6 million annually, and that is good value for a player who logged 17 starts last season. They weren't quiet starts, either, seeing as he not only had three sacks and 39 combined tackles, eight for a loss, but also five pass deflections (more than some defensive backs in the NFL) and an interception. His ability to disrupt passing lanes is stellar, and he's far from shabby in collapsing the pocket and defending the run — the fifth-highest graded interior defensive lineman in the league in 2024.

Teair Tart: Also on this end of the pricing spectrum is Tart, hovering around a projection of $5 million annually, though there is quite the value gap between Tart and Ford. Whereas Ford has proven himself a consistent starter, Tart hasn't logged a single start since 2019, but was available for all 17 games last season for the Chargers. I'm in for Tart as a depth piece, if he's willing to come in at lower than $5 million, because we've seen firsthand just how much depth can be tested at times in Dallas, and in the NFL as a whole, once the injury bug starts getting hungry.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...e-combo-meal-in-free-agency-exist-for-cowboys

Gholston is a must keep and go for Jeffery Simmons in a trade. Titans have no QB and Simmons is already under contract with ties to the Cowboys (Jason Hatcher, the last DT to make a Pro Bowl for the Jonesboys).

 

[kskboys]

Javon Hargrave to be released by SF. He’s coming back off of a bicep tear.

That would be nice.

 

[kskboys]

The Niners will be the third franchise, all good ones, to not give Hargrave a 2nd contract. There must be a reason.

Prolly wants too much.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Prolly wants too much.

Steelers felt he was not effective against the run. Likely the same reason the Eagles did not re-sign him, and now the 49ers are not going to re-sign him. He must be looking for way more than he’s worth because Philly and SF are both not afraid to pay for what they want.