The Cowboys have some capable players on the interior of their defensive line in Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, Quinton Bohanna, and Chauncey Golston. However, the need for a consistent 1-tech is still an issue.

Veteran Jonathan Hankins provided that in the second half of the 2022 season, but he was only on a one-year. I mentioned on Monday that Dallas should consider bringing Hankins back. However, Cowboys insider Bryan Broaddus said on Wednesday that Hankins isn't in a hurry to sign a deal at the moment. 

Hankins is dragging his feet on a possible signing. https://t.co/A306H6wd0v

— BryanBroaddus (@BryanBroaddus) March 22, 2023

Hankins will be 31 at the end of the month and is headed into his 11th season in the NFL. So, taking his time to find the right situation is understandable, it just may not fit with the timetable of the Cowboys.

The size of Hankins at 340 pounds makes him an imposing figure, and he can stop the run and draw double teams which won't allow offensive linemen to get to the second level, which also makes things easier for linebackers to roam and make plays. 

If the Cowboys don't bring Hankins back there are other options on the open market. 

Tyler Browning of AtoZ Sports recently mentioned former second-round pick A'Shawn Robinson as a good fit for the Cowboys. Also, there are other veterans like Al Woods and Poona Ford who both played for the Seattle Seahawks last season. 

None of these alternative options will require a big financial commitment, and neither will Hankins. So, it's just a matter of if the Cowboys see one of them as a fit going forward, or maybe waiting until the NFL draft to snag a guy like Mazi Smith out of Michigan with an early pick.

The Cowboys will need to solve this puzzle if they want to take their defense to the next level and remain a contender in the NFC.