Dallas Cowboys: Another position change for Tyrone Crawford on the way?
By Tim Kohut
Defensive end Tyrone Crawford, the versatile Dallas Cowboys defender, could have yet another new role during the 2018-19 season.
Right before our very eyes, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Tyrone Crawford has quietly become one of the team’s most tenured players, and indisposable of the defensive line. While he’s not the flashiest player, he’s shown the consistency, versatility and toughness to be one of the Cowboys’ mainstays on the defensive line—wherever that may be.
Crawford has played many roles for the Cowboys since drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. First, he was brought on as a 3-4 defensive end under ex-defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
He then played strongside defensive end in Monte Kiffin’s Tampa-2 defense, until eventually sliding into the under-tackle spot, or the three-technique, where he was able to use his quickness and strength to disrupt up the middle. He flourished in that spot, en-route to a 5-year, $45 million extension.
However, back in 2016, due to the emergence of Maliek Collins and Terrell McClain, coupled with a need at defensive end, pushed Crawford back to the outside where he played almost exclusively over the past two years. After slimming down this past offseason, it looked like Crawford would be officially moved to defensive end full time going into the 2018 season.
Unfortunately, that may no longer be the case.
With starting three-technique defensive tackle David Irving once again sidelined for the first four games of the season due to a suspension, the Cowboys will use former Raiders’ second-round pick Jihad Ward to help pick up some of the slack.
But with Collins sidelined with a broken foot, the next man up for Dallas would be Richard Ash, a former undrafted free agent of the Jacksonville Jaguars. For much-needed depth, the Cowboys may have to turn to their Swiss-Army knife that is Crawford once again.
A slimmed-down Crawford could be helpful in passing situations, where Irving particularly thrived in. But at this point, he shouldn’t factor in as an every-down player inside. The six-year veteran will, in all likelihood, split time between defensive end and the under tackle in pass-rushing situations.
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Just as we thought Crawford may have finally found a concrete home on the Cowboys’ defensive line, the injury bug might have forced Dallas to think otherwise. However, it remains to be seen how Dallas ultimately decides to handle Irving’s ill-timed suspension.
But my bet is on Tyrone Crawford, once again, playing the jack of all trades role on this Dallas Cowboys defensive line.