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Dallas Cowboys: Second-round tender enough to keep David Irving?

By Steven Mullenax

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: David Irving #95 and Maliek Collins #96 of the Dallas Cowboys sack Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: David Irving #95 and Maliek Collins #96 of the Dallas Cowboys sack Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Cowboys have now placed a second-round tender on defensive tackle David Irving. But will it be enough to keep him in Big D?

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving figures to be a rising star in the NFL. So why did the Cowboys opt to only offer the restricted free agent only a second-round tender on Wednesday?

Well, I believe there are two reasons why. Irving’s inconsistent play and money. First, the latter. By offering a second-round tender, the Cowboys will only have to pay him a salary of $2.914 million this year. A first-round tender would have cost Dallas $4.149 million, so there’s a significant savings there.

But a second-round tender also means Irving is more likely to receive an offer from another NFL team. Of course, the Cowboys have the right to match any offer the 24-year old defender receives. And if Irving is allowed to leave, Dallas would receive a second-round selection in return.

Some speculate that the Cowboys’ front office might prefer a high draft pick over simply keeping the young defensive star. But why?

It’s likely due to the second reason for the lower tender, inconsistent play. Irving has been plagued by it his entire three-year career in Dallas. And last season was no different.

Prior to the start of the 2017 NFL regular season, Irving was seen as a possible breakout candidate. A defensive star in the making, the monstrous 6-foot-7, 290 pound tackle showed glimpses of greatness in his first two seasons in the NFL.

Undrafted out of Iowa State, the Cowboys signed Irving off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad back in late September of 2015. That first year, he recorded 13 total tackles and 0.5 sack in 12 games. The following season, Irving increase his production to 17 total tackles, 4.0 sacks and five pass defends.

But it was a Week Six performance against the Green Bay Packers that really put Irving on the map. In that matchup, he recorded four total tackles, 1.0 sack and forced three fumbles in only 19 defensive snaps. Irving was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week as a result.

So, going into this third-year, there were sky high expectations for the young Irving. Unfortunately, a four-game suspension for performing enhancing drugs delayed his return. Irving made a bellyflop-sized splash in his debut against the Packers in Week Five, posting five total tackles, 2.0 sacks and a pass defend.

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Irving would go on to record 22 combined tackles, 7.0 sacks and six pass defends in his first eight games of the 2017 regular season. Unfortunately, his year ended in Week 13 due to a concussion.

In fact, David Irving has never once played a full 16-game season in the NFL. That’s likely just another reason the Dallas Cowboys seem comfortable with offering a second-round tender for the restricted free agent this offseason.

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