Why Cowboys' rumored interest in free agent makes tons of sense
Whenever the Dallas Cowboys are tied to a known free agent in the NFL, it's wise to keep your hopes on the low end of the spectrum. The front office is always "looking for ways to get better," but chances are if the price isn't a low one, the Cowboys won't pull the trigger. One […]
Whenever the Dallas Cowboys are tied to a known free agent in the NFL, it's wise to keep your hopes on the low end of the spectrum. The front office is always "looking for ways to get better," but chances are if the price isn't a low one, the Cowboys won't pull the trigger.
One of the latest names somehow linked to the Cowboys is former Minnesota Vikings LB Anthony Barr. The ninth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft is still looking for a team after the draft and there are reasons to believe he makes sense for Dallas.
Clarence Hill from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweeted there was definitely interest from the Cowboys if the price was right. Hill has since deleted the tweet. ESPN predicted Anthony Barr as a Cowboys' post-draft signing in a recent article.
You're probably thinking, I don't buy it. The Cowboys won't do it. And while that's understandable, there are three reasons why this move would make plenty of sense even for the conservative front office.
1. It's a low-risk, high-reward bet
Although Barr is quite known by most NFL fans, he's not likely to sign an expensive contract in 2022. Still unsigned in May, Barr could see his value take a hit due to a long injury history. Over the last two years, he's played in only 13 games and has missed at least two games in six out of his eight years in the league.
As such, Barr is quite the fit in Dallas. The Cowboys are known for taking in veterans with question marks at bargain contracts and are unafraid of making such bets.
2. Dan Quinn's hybrid roles
Micah Parsons and Jayron Kearse get most of the love when people discuss how Dan Quinn is deploying creative hybrid roles on his defense. But think about guys like Dorance Armstrong, a defensive end who dropped into coverage several times and lined up as a mugged-up linebacker threatening the A gaps.
The 30-year-old linebacker knows he has the skills to rush the passer, and he probably knows the Cowboys would give him the chance to do so under Quinn. Some could point out that's redundant with Micah but that's missing the point. If we're talking hybrid players, the more the merrier.
3. George Edwards reunion.
Now a Senior Defensive Assistant for the Cowboys, Edwards was the Vikings' Defensive Coordinator from 2014 to 2019. Barr and Edwards got to the Vikings in the same year and this could be the perfect chance for a reunion between the two. The pair were involved in some of the best defenses in recent memory for Minnesota.
For more thoughts on Anthony Barr and why he makes sense for the Dallas Cowboys, check out Monday night's A to Z Sports Primetime!
Featured image via Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
