The Dallas Cowboys haven’t put all their eggs into one basket just yet, but as things stand right now it looks as if they’re playing a risky game at defensive end opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. With Robert Quinn gone, it’s a little hard to have much faith with the Cowboys current plan to replace his lost production.
I may be wrong, but it looks as if the Dallas Cowboys are banking on what they hope to be a three-headed monster at right defensive end to hopefully replace Robert Quinn. As things stand right now, odds are Tyrone Crawford starts opposite DeMarcus Lawrence with Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith backing him up.
I don’t know about you, but that’s a lot to ask from three players who haven’t played a lot of football recently. We all know Randy Gregory’s been suspended since 2018 and Aldon Smith has been suspended even longer (2015). Tyrone Crawford’s availability should be called into question as well considering he had to have season-ending hip surgery early in the season last year.
Let that sink in for just a little bit…
Tyrone Crawford played in a total of four games, starting two before landing on injured reserve with an hip injury that required surgery. Randy Gregory didn’t play at all in 2019 and Aldon Smith last saw the field in 2015. There’s reason to be concerned, right!?
What if Tyrone Crawford has any lingering effects from last year’s hip injury? What if Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith aren’t reinstated? After all, we know how Roger Goodell is as it pertains to suspensions and Dallas Cowboys players cough cough Ezekiel Elliott. Unfortunately, that’s a lot of questions with no clear answer right now.
Fortunately though, the Dallas Cowboys can still add more depth through either free agency or the draft. Everson Griffin is still out there on the open market as is Jadeveon Clowney. Both would be upgrades over what’s currently on the roster, but they’d also cost a pretty penny to sign as well. I think it’s unlikely the Cowboys go this direction, leaving the 2020 NFL Draft as the best solution.
With that in mind, I wouldn’t be that surprised if the Dallas Cowboys decided to take an EDGE rusher in the first-round with the 17th overall pick. K’Lavon Chaisson is a popular pass rusher often mocked to the Cowboys there, but don’t rule out a player like Zack Baun either because he could provide depth at linebacker as well.
Whatever the Dallas Cowboys decide to do, I think it would be unwise for them to put all their eggs into one basket. Tyrone Crawford, Randy Gregory, and Aldon Smith may very well turn into a fearsome trio opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, however what happens if they don’t and the Cowboys don’t have a backup plan in place?
