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Dallas Cowboys insider’s shocking revelation about David Irving

By Steven Mullenax

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass in in the first quarter of a football game as David Irving #95 and Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys try to rush at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass in in the first quarter of a football game as David Irving #95 and Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys try to rush at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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A Dallas Cowboys insider reveals his shocking feelings about the future of defensive tackle David Irving and his upcoming free agency.

Despite playing in only eight games this season, somehow, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving has had a breakout year. But could it also be his final season in Dallas? One Cowboys insider believes it just might be.

Since snatching the undrafted free agent off of the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad back in 2015, the 6-foot-7, 290 pound Irving has shown flashes of greatness in Dallas. During his rookie season, he blocked a field goal that nearly gave the Cowboys a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Last season, Irving exploded on the national scene recording four total tackles, 1.0 sack, a pass defend and three forced fumbles in only 19 defensive snaps against the Green Bay Packers in Week Six.

Accompanying these flashes of potential were also long stretches of disappearing acts, where fans would question if Irving was even on the field at times. But that inconsistent play seemed to taper off at the end of last year, as the young defender posted three sacks in the Cowboys final three games of the regular season.

With the search continuing for a “War Daddy” pass rusher in Dallas, there were hopes that Irving might be able to fill that void in 2017. Unfortunately, the now 24-year old defender was levied a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy. That delayed Irving’s season three debut until Week Five’s matchup against Packers. And the lanky defensive tackle made up for lost time.

Against Green Bay once again, Irving shined recording five combined tackles, 2.0 sacks and a pass defend in his return. In fact, he recorded at least one sack in each of his first four games following his suspension. Unfortunately, a concussion he suffered against the Washington Redskins in Week 13 has sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Still, Irving had an impressive eight-game run, recording a total of 22 tackles, 7.0  sacks and six pass defends, all career-highs. This upcoming offseason, the three-year veteran is a restricted free agent.

Most seem to believe the Cowboys will place a first or second round tender on Irving, which means other NFL teams may sign him to an offer sheet but Dallas has the right to match. If the Cowboys allow Irving to sign elsewhere, they would receive draft compensation for doing so. Based on his performance, Dallas seems unlikely to let Irving go.

But one Cowboys insider has a feeling if a another team were to sign Irving to an offer sheet at a high tender amount, Dallas might let him walk in exchange for that draft pick.

"“I hate to say, for this last month of the season, I think we saw the last of David Irving here,” revealed football analyst Bryan Broaddus on the Talkin’ Cowboys podcast earlier this week. “I believe if somebody offered [the Cowboys] a second round tender for him, that they would take the second round pick … I have a feeling that they just tender what they have to tender and if it turns into a move on situation, they move on.”"

This is a shocking revelation as Irving played so well this season, despite the fact his suspension and a concussion limited him to only eight games. But projecting his production for a full year, Irving appears to be a pass rusher who can get you double-digit sack totals. Moving on from Irving for a second round selection seems like an awful big risk.

Next: Top 10 Undrafted Free Agents in Dallas Cowboys History

But you have to give the benefit of the doubt to Broaddus here. He has access to insider knowledge no one else has. If he has a feeling about a player, it’s likely based things he’s seen and heard through the grapevine.

And honestly, no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors with these coaches and players. When it comes to Irving’s future in Dallas, there will be a lot of factors to consider when determining if he’s worth a high draft selection or not. The next question to be answered is how highly do other NFL teams actually value David Irving.

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