Dallas Cowboys: 3 Packers who could be free agent targets
With a new head coach in tow in Mike McCarthy, the Dallas Cowboys could look to add some of his former Packers’ players to the roster via free agency.
After nearly a decade under former head coach Jason Garrett, the Dallas Cowboys elected to shake things up this offseason. Following a disappointing 8-8 campaign without a playoff berth, the Cowboys opted to part ways with Garrett and hired former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy to replace him.
With McCarthy now in charge, and a new coaching staff installed, the Cowboys will enter into free agency looking to improve their roster. And if the Super Bowl-winning head coach decides to find some help in the familiar, perhaps he’ll look to sign some players from his old stomping grounds. With that in mind, here are three Packers who are unrestricted free agents that could be potential targets.
Blake Martinez, LB
At this time, it is unknown whether the Cowboys will elect to re-sign key veteran free agents in linebackers Sean Lee and Joe Thomas. Combined with the fact starter Leighton Vander Esch is coming off neck surgery and considering Jaylon Smith‘s injury past, McCarthy and company may elect to bring in a trusted name to help secure the linebacker corps.
Blake Martinez is the very definition of a tackling machine. Last season, the 2016 fourth-round selection out of Stanford racked up a career-high 155 total tackles, second-most in the NFL. That was after recording two consecutive seasons of 144 tackles each. Just 26-years old, Martinez would find a welcome home in a Cowboys’ defensive unit that has struggled with consistent tackling.
Kyler Fackrell, LB/DE
McCarthy has gone on record saying he wants as many as six pass rushers along his defensive line in Dallas. If that’s true, he’ll likely need to add one or two in free agency. And if the Cowboys opt to blur the line between a 4-3 and a 3-4 defense, they’ll need versatile defenders to run it.
Enter in linebacker Kyler Fackrell. A third-rounder out of Utah State back in 2016, Fackrell had his best season in Green Bay during McCarthy’s final one racking up a whopping 10.5 sacks in 2018. That number dropped to just a single sack last season, and now the four-year veteran is scheduled to hit free agency.
Jason Spriggs, OT
Despite the presence of high-draft selections in Connor Williams and Connor McGovern, the Cowboys could look to secure more depth along their offensive line this offseason. Specifically at their swing tackle position. Although veteran Cameron Fleming is under contract for 2020, his inconsistent play might force Dallas to find a replacement.
If they do, Jason Spriggs could be the answer. A second-round selection by Green Bay back in 2016, Spriggs started just nine games in his first three seasons. Last year, after McCarthy was fired as head coach, the Packers opted to waived/injured the 25-year old offensive tackle in August and he eventually reverted to Injured Reserve.
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Jason Spriggs is a former second-rounder and a spot-starter for the Green Bay Packers that could play that same role for the Dallas Cowboys under his previous head coach as a swing tackle.