Which free agent players should the Cowboys approach to fill glaring holes on D-line?

[America's Cowboy]

I have trouble believing that Thomas is 256. He is listed elsewhere closer to 300.

Ford got a three-year, $30 million deal with $17 million guaranteed. Thomas got two years, $8 million. Dallas was never going to consider Ford at that price.

Doh. I didn't know the Rams signed Poona Ford for that much. Definitely too expensive for the Cowboys.

Oh well. Let's hope Solomon Thomas works out. His PFF grades for last year were not good.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The Cowboys have Kneeland, Odighizuwa, Mazi and Parsons as their four starters. I don't think the Joneses believe they have glaring holes. I think they believe they need depth, which they will probably seek in the draft. Maybe throw in a very low-cost vet.

BTW, Golston signed with the Giants.

the joneses think we have 4 DL men, so where is the hole? quality is meaningless to these two bafoons

 

[Gambit]

Chauncey Golston just signed a decent 3 year contract with the Commanders.

Sam Williams is coming off both an ACL & MCL tears in his knee. It will take him more than a year to hopefully get back to full strength.

Cowboys did resign DT Osa Odighizuwa, plus Tyrus Wheat. Cowboys also about to resign Micah Parsons.

Cowboys still have glaring holes to fill along the defensive line. With the start of free agency underway, who should they approach to help fill holes along our D-line?

How about Solomon Thomas on a 2 year deal worth up to $8 mil?

 

[diamonddelts]

Ask and ye shall receive. Solomon Thomas is now a Cowboy. Dallas officially has the worst run defense in the NFL coming into the 2025 season.

 

[Captain43Crash]

I hear you brother @baltcowboy . Cowboys should bring back Lawson. He performed fairly well.

Thanks for the corrections, brother @gimmesix .

Should the Cowboys approach 38 year old veteran DT Calais Campbell? He actually performed pretty good as a rotational piece for the Dolphins, was stout against the run and even accumulated 5 sacks. Yes, he will be 39 years old when the 2025 begins, but he is still producing fairly well for an old but big DT inside the D-line.

https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/calais-campbell/4364

He even was cheap ($2 million) playing for the Dolphins last year, so I assume he would cost the same to come play for the Cowboys. What do you think?

Yes! Better than Mazi!

 

[charron]

I honestly do not know because I want the best DT vs the run and because it's not sexy like rushing the passer the Cowboys have no value in a guy who simply eats up OL and takles running backs. So I haven't bothered to look up who is available to rotate in as the 1tech this team desperately needs. They'll sign another guy who will shoot a gap leaving gaping running lanes.

 

[CowboyFrog]

How about Solomon Thomas on a 2 year deal worth up to $8 mil?

do you think this improves the team? serious question i get your tired of all the complaining but with who they could've gone after are you happy with that addition?

 

[Gambit]

do you think this improves the team? serious question i get your tired of all the complaining but with who they could've gone after are you happy with that addition?

In a word yes. Why though?

He's a good rotational 3 t as of yesterday we had a 1t in Mazi and a 3t it Osa. This provides valuable veteran depth at a good price. Familiar with new DL coach who was able to work with him and improved his game in New York. We just spent premium money on starting 3T Osa, we needed depth.

So yes, it improves the team.

 

[CowboyFrog]

In a word yes. Why though?

He's a good rotational 3 t as of yesterday we had a 1t in Mazi and a 3t it Osa. This provides valuable veteran depth at a good price. Familiar with new DL coach who was able to work with him and improved his game in New York. We just spent premium money on starting 3T Osa, we needed depth.

So yes, it improves the team.

compared to other DT's that they could have gone for? Again the price being "Right" doesnt mean it was the best coarse of action, they freed up cap space what better place to spend it than at DT where youve been absolutley slayed for decades..

 

[Gambit]

compared to other DT's that they could have gone for? Again the price being "Right" doesnt mean it was the best coarse of action, they freed up cap space what better place to spend it than at DT where youve been absolutley slayed for decades..

what question do you really want to ask?

Communication is challenging when one has to guess. You asked if I thought it improved the team. I do. I said why I think that

Are you asking is he the absolute best 3t available we could've signed? If so just ask that. Not hard to do.

Clearly he is not. But after paying Osa we weren't investing a 2nd premium contract there when we have a ton of other needs.

Whether or not you or I agree with that approach, it's the reality of the situation.

This is a deep DT draft class, I fully expect that we will add more talent to the line there as well.

 

[CowboyFrog]

what question do you really want to ask?

Communication is challenging when one has to guess. You asked if I thought it improved the team. I do. I said why I think that

Are you asking is he the absolute best 3t available we could've signed? If so just ask that. Not hard to do.

Clearly he is not. But after paying Osa we weren't investing a 2nd premium contract there when we have a ton of other needs.

Whether or not you or I agree with that approach, it's the reality of the situation.

This is a deep DT draft class, I fully expect that we will add more talent to the line there as well.

Actually this was the question

" but with who they could've gone after are you happy with that addition?"

The draft class is even more reason to spend on a short term high quality DT and grab his succesor in the draft. RB for sure great position to fill in the draft but DT's are knownw to take a couple seasons to get up to speed.

 

[gtb1943]

In a word yes. Why though?

He's a good rotational 3 t as of yesterday we had a 1t in Mazi and a 3t it Osa. This provides valuable veteran depth at a good price. Familiar with new DL coach who was able to work with him and improved his game in New York. We just spent premium money on starting 3T Osa, we needed depth.

So yes, it improves the team.

He is a joke against the run; homer
our biggest weakness

 

[Gambit]

He is a joke against the run; homer
our biggest weakness

LOL
Because I recognize that every team needs quality veteran depth along the line on a team that's zero depth in that position has improved by adding some, I'm a homer?

Get out of your emotions. We had 2 DT under contract. We now have 3. He has shown improvement in rushing passer last couple of seasons working with our new DL coach and should continue doing so.

You fans who expect every player to be weakness free 3 players deep are so out of touch of reality it's funny to me.

He is but one piece to the cog. But one ingredient in the meal. One page in the book.

It's okay to say something has helped in area of need and not demand it solves every need on team.

 

[75boyz]

I don't know about the rest of yall but a middle manned by Mazi, Osa and Solomon Thomas as run stoppers doesn't exactly give me confidence.

It kinda reminds me of last year actually.

 

[Gambit]

Actually this was the question

" but with who they could've gone after are you happy with that addition?"

The draft class is even more reason to spend on a short term high quality DT and grab his succesor in the draft. RB for sure great position to fill in the draft but DT's are knownw to take a couple seasons to get up to speed.

It in no way changes my answer or reason.

They signed a veteran depth player at a position of need. Does he have warts? Yes. Does he have weaknesses? Yes. But does Every other player in NFL.

This move neither makes or breaks the team, but does improve it from quality depth standpoint.

Whether or not I'm happy.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Iffy pick. Solomon Thomas at 6'2", 256 lbs had a 2024 PFF grade of 45.6 for a D-lineman. He had a run defense grade of 41.5, a pass rush grade of 61.2 and an overall grade of 45.6 with 22 pressures and 4 sacks.

https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/solomon-thomas/11758

Poona Ford at 5'11", 310 had a 2024 PFF grade of 85.1 with 23 pressures and 3 sacks. He had a run defense grade of 78.8, a pass rush grade of 71.1 and an overall grade of 85.1.

https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/poona-ford/48875

I was banging the drum for Poona but no one listened.

 

[calicowboy54]

Ask and ye shall receive. Solomon Thomas is now a Cowboy. Dallas officially has the worst run defense in the NFL coming into the 2025 season.

he was great at stanford but he played LDE. if he goes back their playing strong side we might have a DLaw replacement albeit poor mans

 

[shabazz]

Iffy pick. Solomon Thomas at 6'2", 256 lbs had a 2024 PFF grade of 45.6 for a D-lineman. He had a run defense grade of 41.5, a pass rush grade of 61.2 and an overall grade of 45.6 with 22 pressures and 4 sacks.

https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/solomon-thomas/11758

Poona Ford at 5'11", 310 had a 2024 PFF grade of 85.1 with 23 pressures and 3 sacks. He had a run defense grade of 78.8, a pass rush grade of 71.1 and an overall grade of 85.1.

https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/poona-ford/48875

I'd be fine with Poona Tang to shore up the D but I'm still very concerned with our LB situation

 

[rambo2]

the joneses think we have 4 DL men, so where is the hole? quality is meaningless to these two bafoons

They feel the draft is loaded with defensive tackles.

 

[gtb1943]

LOL
Because I recognize that every team needs quality veteran depth along the line on a team that's zero depth in that position has improved by adding some, I'm a homer?

Get out of your emotions. We had 2 DT under contract. We now have 3. He has shown improvement in rushing passer last couple of seasons working with our new DL coach and should continue doing so.

You fans who expect every player to be weakness free 3 players deep are so out of touch of reality it's funny to me.

He is but one piece to the cog. But one ingredient in the meal. One page in the book.

It's okay to say something has helped in area of need and not demand it solves every need on team.

quality depth?
homer talk again