Edge Rusher Options the Dallas Cowboys Should Consider Bringing in
This week has been one piece of bad news after another for the Dallas Cowboys. First Michael Gallup is now on IR with a strained calf, now La'el Collins has been suspened for 5 games. He won't play due to missed drug tests. That was just the offense! Randy Gregory's status for the team's game […]
This week has been one piece of bad news after another for the Dallas Cowboys. First Michael Gallup is now on IR with a strained calf, now La'el Collins has been suspened for 5 games. He won't play due to missed drug tests. That was just the offense!
Randy Gregory's status for the team's game against the Chargers is in doubt. Gregory tested positive for COVID earlier this week, and unless he can produce 2 positive tests before Sunday he won't be active.
Even if he were cleared, it might not be ideal for his health. Recovering from COVID can take more than a few days to overcome depending on the severity of the symptoms.
On top of this, DeMarcus Lawrence injured his foot in practice and will be out this week's game and beyond.
The Cowboys are getting ready for their second-straight test at quarterback versus Justin Herbert. Herbert was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and had a strong start to the season against Washington last Sunday. Losing both your starting edge rushers is not an ideal way to start the season.
At the moment, the remaining defensive ends on the roster are Tarell Basham, Dorance Armstrong, Bradley Anae and Chauncey Golston. You can include Azur Kamara in that group as well, but he's listed as a linebacker.
The Dallas Cowboys are also looking to experiment with rookie Micah Parsons at edge, but haven't made a full commitment to him playing there full time.
The Cowboys would be better off exploring other options to fill in on the outside, rather than relegating their stud rookie there. Even though Lawrence's injury won't be season-ending, the team needs more answers to play on the outside than who they currently have.
Instead, there are options available to improve the depth on the edge. Even if this is a short-term fix, this team's ready to win now. They can't afford to fall behind because of issues rushing the passer.
Here are some realistic names we found to be available.
Ron'Dell Carter
No hard feelings, right? Ron'Dell Carter played well enough in preseason that he was a surprising initial roster cut from the final 53. The Dallas Cowboys wanted to bring him back on the practice squad. Instead, he's with the Arizona Cardinals' with hopes that this will be a better chance to play.
Carter was active for 3 games in 2020, playing on a small number of snaps on defense. However, in his few games on the field he showed skill at setting the edge versus the run game. Taking that next needed step in year two that he put on display in August.
Now, desperate times call for desperate measures. Carter knows the defense, the personnel and has improved based on his play. This isn't a sexy move, but a smart one instead. It could be time for bygones to be bygones.
Olivier Vernon
Now THIS would be sexy. Not only is Olivier Vernon a former division rival and Pro Bowl defensive end, but he's still a free agent coming off a 9 sack, 12 tackle-for-loss season. Numbers alone, this makes plenty of sense.
However, there's still plenty to factor in here. He turns 31 on October 7, and is coming off a torn Achilles he suffered in the Browns playoff game against Pittsburgh.
He'll need to pass medical's and be brought in for a workout. A healthy Vernon is easily the best free agent defender on the market and would be a preferred replacement outside until Lawrence returns.
Vic Beasley
This former sack-leader knows Dan Quinn all too well from their time together. Beasley was a part of the Atlanta Falcons for 5 seasons from 2015-19, where he had 37.5 sacks, leading the NFL and was an All-Pro in 2016.
Last season, injuries and lack of productivity made him only play 5 games with the Tennessee Titans, and 5 more with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Beasley wasn't the same player away from Dan Quinn that he was with him. We shouldn't expect 15.5 sack-type numbers, but a reunion could be in order.
Aldon Smith
What goes around comes around. Aldon Smith was a controversial, albeit inexpensive signing in 2020. He finished his first season since 2015 with 5 sacks, second on the Cowboys, in a rotation that featured Lawrence and Gregory.
Aldon Smith played a full, 16 games with the Dallas Cowboys last season. Even though it's a new defensive scheme and coordinator, he showed he's able to adapt last season. Having not played in 5 years and producing like he did was eye-opening enough. It shouldn't be shocking if he can do it again.
Bruce Irvin
Another familiar name to Dan Quinn is Bruce Irvin. Irvin played in Dan Quinn's scheme from 2012-14 in Seattle, where they won a Super Bowl together, and 8 games in Atlanta in 2018. In their 4 combined seasons together, Irvin has 20 of his career sacks plus 21 tackles for loss and 3 forced fumbles.
Irvin has bounced around the league for the last few seasons, spending time in Oakland and Carolina as well. He's not the youngest player out there, turning 34 this November. However, the Dallas Cowboys showed they're willing to bring in someone with valuable experience despite age, bringing in Michael Bennett in 2019.
Irvin won't be a world breaker, but he's a smart veteran who's played and succeeded with Dan Quinn. If the Cowboys are going to "nickel and dime" free agents, Irvin would be a smart add-on.
Dion Jordan
A quietly productive player, Dion Jordan has been an "edge for hire" player since he was drafted 3rd overall back in 2013. He's never lived up to the hype of a player drafted that high, but has added value to pass rush depths in the league.
Most recently, he was added to the San Francisco 49ers last season after Nick Bosa suffered a season-ending injury. He finished with 3 sacks and a forced fumble in rotation.
If the Dallas Cowboys are comfortable with who they have, but want to bolster the depth with more experience, than Jordan makes plenty of sense.
He's not good enough to replace Lawrence or Gregory, but instead give the team a player who can apply pressure to the quarterback, while the other edges on the team can get more snaps along side.
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Ifeadi Odenigbo is a surprising name. Surprising given the fact that he's on the Cleveland Browns practice squad and not an active roster. He's spent his last two seasons in Minnesota, having a productive pair of season with 10.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
He signed a team-friendly free agent deal with the New York Giants back in March, but was released during final cuts.
Odenigbo's productive, inexpensive and can rush the passer. He doesn't have the name recognition or connections that other players on this list do, but he has played similarly to Maurice Canady did before coming to Dallas. He's 27 but is seemingly just coming into his prime.
