Four ways the Dallas Cowboys can save salary cap space

#3 – Tyrone Down

There is always the option of cutting a player. It would usually be a player that is being overpaid. In other instances, it would be a panic way to save cap if a trade is not found.

Defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford needs a new contract after this season. He has been great as a depth player and someone they can move around the line with ease.

Although his stats have never been good enough to make you jump out of your seat, they have been good enough to remain a reliable starter. This past season was cut short due to a hip injury requiring surgery.

In 2018 he was limited to 15 games, but he did play well. It was a career year that saw him rack up 5.5 sacks, 34 tackles, and two passes defended. He also managed to force one fumble.

When you put those stats with someone who can play on the interior and the edge, that’s a valuable asset. I’m a big fan of his and I think he is underrated by Cowboys fans. With defensive end Robert Quinn likely leaving as a free agent, Crawford becomes that much more valuable.

Acquiring a defensive lineman in the draft is very likely. How high of a draft pick is up to debate, but the line should be addressed regardless.

The Cowboys have the option of cutting Crawford, which would save them $8 million. With that, drafting defensive linemen will be much more of an emergency. That’s because DeMarcus Lawrence would then be the only remaining starter on the team under contract.

Jerry can also give Crawford a call and see if he will take a pay cut. While I can see him willingly taking a pay cut, I don’t think it will be enough to truly help out the Cowboys.