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NFL.com thinks the Dallas Cowboys could sign this free agent pass rusher

By Steven Mullenax

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys defeat the Dolphins 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys defeat the Dolphins 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The official website for the NFL thinks it could be fun if the Dallas Cowboys were to sign this veteran free agent pass rusher this offseason.

The Dallas Cowboys need more pass rushers. Not exactly breaking news. But where exactly will Dallas find these War Daddies?

Many speculate the Cowboys will use one of their early round draft selections to address the need. Unfortunately, Dallas’ track record for finding premier pass rushers via the NFL Draft hasn’t been very good in recent years.

In 2014, the Cowboys traded up in the second round of the draft to select Boise State defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. After leading the team with 8.0 sacks in 2015, Lawrence was suspended for the first portion of last season due to violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Lawrence ended 2016 playing in just nine games and recording only 11 total tackles and one sack on the year.

Drug-related issues also plagued the Cowboys second round selection the following year, Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory. The talented defensive end has played in a total of 14 games the past two seasons due to his own drug suspensions. Gregory’s recorded 20 total tackles and one sack in that span. He is currently suspended for the entire upcoming season as well.

Finally, last offseason, the Cowboys used a fourth round selection to draft Oklahoma prospect Charles Tapper. But a back injury robbed Tapper of his entire rookie campaign. That essentially makes this upcoming season his first as a professional.

With a track record like that, maybe the Cowboys would be better off signing a veteran pass rusher in free agency that is already a proven commodity. But based on their philosophy so far, Dallas is strictly a bargain bin shopper when it comes to free agents. And NFL.com suggests it could be fun if they found a former Cowboy defensive great in that bin this offseason…DeMarcus Ware.

"“Cowboys fans would love to make a run at Jason Pierre-Paul, and owner Jerry Jones always finds a way to magically create more salary-cap room than anyone expects,” wrote Gregg Rosenthal, Around The NFL Editor for NFL.com. “With the price for JPP possibly topping $15 million per season, bringing back old friend [DeMarcus] Ware is a lot more realistic. Less is more with Ware at 34. The former Cowboy could make a big impact as a situational pass rusher and should be willing to take a low-cost deal to return “home.”"

Limited by injuries last season, Ware was only able to play 10 games for the Denver Broncos. He was still able to record 15 total tackles, 4.0 sacks and one pass defend in that span. That sack total was better than all but four members of the Cowboys defensive line last season. Dallas defensive lineman David Irving recorded the exact same number of sacks despite playing in five more contests than Ware in 2016.

Ware was the Cowboys first round selection out of Troy back in 2005. During his nine-year career in Dallas, he recorded 117.0 sacks. Ware is currently the Cowboys’ franchise leader in that category.

Next: Dallas Cowboys All-Time Best Defensive Players By Position

According to Adam Schefter, Ware is interested in returning to Denver next season or possibly joining the Cowboys via free agency. The former Dallas great isn’t the kind of player the Cowboys normally sign, mainly due to his age. But it’s hard to resist the storybook idea of bringing back Ware to win a ring in Dallas, where it all started for him.

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