Dallas Cowboys upgrades & downgrades

Oct 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Greg Hardy (76) motions to get the crowd louder against the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

UPGRADE – SACKS

Sitting in 28th place in the NFL for sacks for the 2014 season the Cowboys made it a priority to add a pass rushing threat to their game.

In five seasons with the Carolina Panthers Greg Hardy had 34 sacks – despite the pending punishment from the NFL for off the field incidents, the Cowboys couldn’t pass on such a talent.

They didn’t stop there though, again being unable to resist drafting Randy Gregory who had dropped to the bottom of the second round of the draft.

Considered as arguably the best pass rusher in the draft and in most circles a top 15 draft talent he too non footballing questions regarding his character that caused him to plummet.

While Hardy hasn’t yet convinced everyone he’s the right character to have around the team, his presence on the field as improved the team tenfold.

In five games of 2014 the team were averaging a sack a game; this year it’s 2.6.

Serving a suspension for the first four games of the season, Hardy returned to face Tom Brady and the Patriots in Week 5.

Without him the team had six sacks in the opening four games.

Hardy already has three for the season himself just two games in, and with him in the team they have floored the quarterback seven times in just two outings.

Getting to the quarterback was arguably the Cowboys biggest flaw in 2014.

They’ve without doubt upgraded there.

Next: Downgrade - Touchdowns!