Dallas Cowboys: Bargain shopping at the infirmary

EDGE – Haason Reddick

Although he has been hurt in his career, this acquisition is more about figuring out where to play Reddick rather than his injury history. His poor play as an off-the-ball linebacker is the main reason Reddick will be allowed to test free agency but a last-minute position change could determine his ultimate outcome.

Reddick was the Cardinal’s first-round pick, 13th overall, in the 2017 draft and he spent his first three years in Arizona trying to figure out how to be an off-the-ball- linebacker. This proved to be a huge mistake as the Cardinals finally moved Reddick back to his college position on the edge and the team saw immediate results.

It’s true that Reddick has never missed a game due to injury but he has only started 31 games since entering the league. The reason I have him here is that late in the 2020 season, he had some eye-popping statistics that could intrigue the teams that play in the NFC East.

Week 14 was his coming-out-party against New York as Reddick terrorized the Giants for five sacks. He then doubled down the following week with 10 quarterback pressures against the Philadelphia Eagles.

If your a Dallas Cowboys fan wondering who else could play in this new LEO defensive role, I can’t think of another bargain free agent to come in and provide the excitement and the ability to pass rush from that spot.

Sure the Cowboys could go all in and sign a free agent like Jadeveon Clowney, who by the way almost made it to the infirmary list, but his price tag will be far from a bargain so Reddick gets the nod here.

Bargain shopping in the infirmary comes with higher levels of risk but the reward for landing a top-tier contributor could be more enticing than spending big on the 2021 free-agent class. Whatever the case, I hope the Cowboys can find a few diamonds in the rough.