Dallas Cowboys: Three remaining free agents to consider in 2021
By Connor Green
3. Gerald McCoy, DT
The Dallas Cowboys gave up the second-most rushing yards per game last season with 158.8. It was apparent early on last year that the team would benefit from adding help to the interior of its defensive line.
The Cowboys attempted to address this need last season by signing veteran defensive lineman Gerald McCoy. Unfortunately, the 33-year old did not even play a single snap with America’s Team after he suffered a season-ending quad injury that resulted in his release in August.
The Cowboys once again find themselves in a position where they are in desperate need of a big man who can solidify the interior of their young defensive line, picking up McCoy might not be a bad move to address that need. Especially in light of the news that he still believes he can play at a high level in the NFL.
McCoy has played ten seasons in the league with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers and managed to get selected to six Pro Bowls during that span. In his last season with the Panthers, the veteran defender managed to get five sacks and seven tackles for a loss while playing all 16 games.
Currently, the Cowboy’s interior defensive line is led by young players like Trysten Hill, who is coming off a season-ending ACL injury, and Neville Gallimore who started nine games in his rookie season for Dallas last year and managed to rack up 28 total tackles and four tackles for a loss. Both of these young players would benefit from the tutelage of a veteran like McCoy.
The bottom line is the Dallas Cowboys could use an upgrade at the defensive tackle position. Getting a veteran player like McCoy for the right cost could fill this need while also adding some much-needed experience to the interior of the line for America’s Team.