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Is edge rusher the Dallas Cowboys biggest draft need?

By Steven Mullenax

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 27: Zach Allen #2 of the Boston College Eagles celebrates after the Eagles stopped the Florida State Seminoles on a fourth down during the third quarter at Alumni Stadium on October 27, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 27: Zach Allen #2 of the Boston College Eagles celebrates after the Eagles stopped the Florida State Seminoles on a fourth down during the third quarter at Alumni Stadium on October 27, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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After starting to make some moves in free agency, has edge rusher become the Dallas Cowboys‘ biggest need heading into the 2019 NFL Draft?

Last season, the Dallas Cowboys had a great combo of edge rushers on the outside of their defensive line. At left end, two-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence playing on the franchise tag hoping to replicate his 2017 success to earn himself a long term contract. And at right end, Randy Gregory, a 2015 second round selection who had made his way back to the league after multiple drug-related suspensions.

Both Lawrence and Gregory combined to post 16.5 sacks last year in Dallas, leading the team. But this offseason, the position of defensive end has suddenly become a vital need. Lawrence is currently in the midst of contract negotiations, reportedly refusing to get shoulder surgery before a deal is signed.

While Gregory has been indefinitely suspended by the NFL once again for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, threatening his football future.

The Cowboys certainly have options on the depth chart they can turn to, but each has their own issues. Longtime veteran defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford was involved in a bar fight earlier this month that the NFL is reportedly investigating.

Dallas used a first-round selection on defensive end Taco Charlton in 2017. But the young defender has underwhelmed, leading to him being a healthy scratch at one point last season. The Cowboys also used a fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft on Kansas defensive end Dorance Armstrong. The rookie rusher played in just 26.6 percent of the defensive snaps last season, recording 13 total tackles and half a sack in 15 games.

In free agency, the Cowboys signed defensive lineman Kerry Hyder Jr. and Christian Covington. Both are projected to be used at defensive tackle.

Here’s how DallasCowboys.com’s Rob Phillips recently responded to a mailbag question on the team’s official website about the Cowboys’ draft needs …

"“Edge rusher has to be a top priority and still could be a draft focus even if they address it before then. It’s a strong D-Line class overall. Christian Covington and Kerry Hyder will help the defensive tackle rotation, but they still need somebody to help the group on the outside given Randy Gregory’s indefinite suspension.”"

The Cowboys are reportedly in the mix for a possible trade for Miami Dolphins’ edge rusher Robert Quinn. The 28-year old is an eight-year veteran who visited Dallas just last week. Quinn is reportedly visiting the New Orleans Saints this week. His possible addition certainly makes sense for the Cowboys who suddenly have some major issues at the position.

Next. Dallas Cowboys - 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time. dark

Regardless if a deal for Robert Quinn gets done or not, the Dallas Cowboys enter the 2019 NFL Draft with edge rusher as a priority. Unfortunately, the Cowboys do not own a first-round selection in this draft class due to last season’s trade for wide receiver Amari Cooper. So Dallas would have to wait until the 58th overall selection in the second round to find an edge rusher at this point. Some possible targets include Boston College’s Zach Allen, Florida’s Jachai Polite, Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson, and Florida State’s Brian Burns.

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