5 prospects the Dallas Cowboys should keep their eye on

Since we were on the topic of saving money, why not explore another way to shed some cash? Again, the defense is going to need a look.

Dallas has three impactful defensive linemen that require new contracts this offseason. They are Antwaun Woods, Aldon Smith, and Tyrone Crawford.

The most difficult player to replace amongst the three linemen would be Smith. He has played as the second-best player along the Cowboys’ defensive line this season. He made 47 total tackles and sacked opposing quarterbacks 5.0 times in 14 games so far this season.

He played the 2020 season on a one-year, $1.35 million contract. He can ask for north of $5 million per season, and Jerry Jones might not be willing to give in. Instead, he can draft a defensive lineman and pay him under $5 million next season.

One of the biggest pass-rush names on the draft board is Gregory Rousseau. The Miami product is a dominant force that is sitting out this season. Another talent lost this season because of Covid-19.

The one advantage Farley has over Rousseau is he caught people’s eyes in his first year. Rousseau, on the other hand, did not play much. He only played in one game due to an ankle injury.

All there is to judge Rousseau is his 2019 freshman season. While it is a small sample to work with, it is as impressive a small sample you can have.

In only 13 games, the edge rusher racked up 15.5 sacks along with 54 total tackles. Only one person in college football had more sacks in 2019. That was Chase Young, the second overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft.

To put it into perspective, Young is probably going to win the defensive rookie of the year. Being in the same range as Young is appealing. I’m just saying Young had 1.0 more sack, but Rousseau had eight more tackles. Then again, Young forced four more fumbles.

The Hurricane possesses a great motor and work ethic, which will help him secure a starting role on the opposite side of star defensive end, DeMarcus Lawrence. It would be a premium pick used on a premium player at a premium position.

I think Rousseau would be my favorite pick for the Cowboys. He takes a slight edge over Farley. There is something we can’t rule out because you know Jerry wants to save some money.