Could the Cowboys trade the Saints for a true nose tackle?
One of the biggest areas of concern for the Dallas Cowboys is their run defense. Last season, the Cowboys allowed a whopping 158.8 rushing yards to opposing offenses on the ground, the second-highest average in the NFL in 2020.
And the biggest culprit for this depressing stat is believed to be the inferior play of the team’s interior defensive line. Most notably, the team’s lack of a true one-technique defensive tackle to help close those rushing lanes.
In the past, the Cowboys have been downright stubborn when it comes to investing in a nose tackle. But the hiring of Mike McCarthy last year as the new head coach seemed to change that trend, as the Cowboys actually spent monies to bring in former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dontari Poe to fill that role. Unfortunately, his poor play resulted in Poe being dismissed from the team midseason.
But there’s still hope that the Cowboys aren’t done addressing the lingering issue at the position. And a new opportunity to do so has emerged via the New Orleans Saints. According to a report on NFL.com, the Saints are looking to trade their nose tackle, Malcom Brown.
The 27-year old Brown is a two-time Super Bowl winner after spending his first four years with the New England Patriots. The Pats made Brown their first-round selection out of Texas in 2015. A native of Brenham, Texas (situated between Austin and Houston), playing for the Cowboys would be a homecoming for Brown while also filling a major need for America’s Team.
Pro Football Focus gave Brown a positive grade of 72.9 for his overall play last season. He recorded 27 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two QB hits, and a sack as a 13-game starter for New Orleans in 2020. The Saints possessed the fourth-best run defense in the NFL last year, allowing only 93.9 rushing yards per game.
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Malcom Brown is currently entering the final year of a three-year, $15 million deal he inked with the New Orleans Saints back in March of 2019. The Saints are reportedly considering parting ways with the talented defender due to their salary cap issues. NBC Sports believes a Day Three selection could secure Brown’s services.