Cowboys: DT Al Woods would fill an important need
It's been a very productive free agency period for the Dallas Cowboys. They traded for cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Brandin Cooks as well as re-signing safety Donovan Wilson, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, and edge rusher Dante Fowler. There's another spot on the Cowboys' defense that can use a veteran presence. Jonathan Hankins is […]
It's been a very productive free agency period for the Dallas Cowboys. They traded for cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Brandin Cooks as well as re-signing safety Donovan Wilson, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, and edge rusher Dante Fowler.
There's another spot on the Cowboys' defense that can use a veteran presence.
Jonathan Hankins is taking his time to decide on his next move. So, the Cowboys have a need at the 1-tech/nose tackle spot, and they should entertain veteran Al Woods to fill it.
Woods was released by the Seattle Seahawks earlier this week after spending the last two seasons there. Yes, he's 36 years old and entering his 14th season, but Woods is still causing havoc.
Woods doesn't provide much as a pass rusher, but he doesn't need to, that's not his game. He's a space-eater that can take on double teams and still be an effective run stuffer with his power and quickness off the line of scrimmage, something the Cowboys have lacked consistently for a while.
If you're thinking about blocking Woods one-on-one, just say goodbye to your running backs when it comes to getting anything between the tackles because they pretty much become a buffalo calf being stalked by a male lion.
Having a presence like Woods helps the entire defense.
It allows other defensive linemen to have more one-on-one opportunities, and it lets linebackers roam against the run seeing as interior offensive linemen can't get to the second level. Also, his ability to move the pocket can force quarterbacks to the outside and make them sitting ducks for edge rushers which can cut down on the amount of time cornerbacks and safeties have to cover.
The Cowboys have talent on their defensive interior with Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, Quinton Bohanna, and Chauncey Golston. However, adding a veteran like Woods would give them quite the rotation with the ability to add more in the NFL draft, and the financial commitment wouldn't be much at all.
Woods could be yet another savvy veteran addition for the Cowboys in free agency if they choose to do so.
