The Dallas Cowboys have a sizeable hope on the right side of their defensive line with the indefinite suspension of Randy Gregory and the lack of progression of Taco Charlton. Recently released by the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dallas Cowboys should make a run at free agent edge rusher Justin Houston.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HousJu00.htm#2011-2018-sum:defense
In 2018, Houston had nine sacks in 12 games to go along with five forced fumbles. FIVE! In 2017, he had 9.5 sacks in 15 games. He hasn’t played a full 16 game season since 2014.
If you project his last four seasons sack rate over a full 16 game season, he’d be averaging 11 sacks a season over the last four years.
Obviously, he’s a veteran presence that would give the Cowboys a tremendous pass rush on both sides of their defensive line, assuming DeMarcus Lawrence gets a long-term deal.
There are two obstacles to the Dallas Cowboys signing a player like Justin Houston.
The first, is that there will be several teams looking to add his services. Despite his age, he’s still one of the better edge rushers in the NFL. Teams like the Rams, Patriots, Raiders, Browns, and others could all be in on Houston potentially driving his price up.
Secondly, the Cowboys would have to pivot on their free agency strategy. We’ve documented many times over the years, that the Dallas Cowboys have gotten away from chasing veteran free agents. At least the good ones. Generally, they look to sign the second and third tier free agents as opposed to chasing the big fish.
Well, if Jerry Jones comments from the Combine are to be believed, the Dallas Cowboys are getting ready to be aggressive in free agency with the hope of building a Super Bowl contender.
If there was ever a time for the Dallas Cowboys to depart from their free agent spending habits, the time is now. They have an offense that looks ready to contend for a championship, and a defense that showed it has some elite players. They just need a few more pieces to put them over the top.
In the modern pass-happy NFL, you can never have enough pass rushers.
