5 free agents with Dan Quinn ties Cowboys could secure

Before coming to the Dallas Cowboys to serve as defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn held many other jobs in the NFL. From 2001 to today, Quinn has held positions with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and was best known for being the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for five seasons.

This means the coordinator has connections to many players around the league, which could help the Cowboys secure some players in free agency. Despite whether you think it was Jerry Jones’ elaborate scheme that made Quinn sign a new contract with Dallas or you just think Quinn didn’t like the leftover available head coaching jobs, there’s no denying that signing Quinn was a very important offseason move for the Cowboys.

Quinn was a key part of the huge turnaround in the Cowboys’ defense. Whatever he does with those players, it’s working. Several players have praised Quinn for his coaching style and credited him with their growth throughout the 2021-22 season. That’s why many weren’t surprised that his name was often in the mix for job vacancies.

If people like the guy this much, you’d think people may even come to Dallas just to play for him. There are some free agents out there who the Cowboys could really use who have some kind of prior connection with Quinn. Could he bring them to the Lone Star State?

Free agents with connections to Dan Quinn who he could pull to the Dallas Cowboys

4. Dante Fowler Jr., DE

Dante Fowler Jr. is currently a defensive end with the Atlanta Falcons. Quinn was his coach in his final season with Atlanta. While Fowler did not have a phenomenal year (mostly due to injury) he did play with a team that seemed to struggle overall. In 14 games he had 4.5 sacks, 36 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, and eight QB hits. Unfortunately, this probably wasn’t the production Atlanta wanted given they were paying him over $10 million this year.

But, Fowler is a classic case of a guy who just may not be with the right team. To be fair to him, he did lead the Falcons in sacks and sack yards and was second in tackles for loss. Fowler has also shined in the past with another squad. In 2019, he had an 11.5 sack season with the Los Angeles Rams.

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With names like Randy Gregory, Dorance Armstrong, Francis Bernard, and Leighton Vander Esch all on the Cowboys free agent list, Dallas could use a guy like Fowler. He will likely come with a lower price tag, which is a huge benefit considering the Cowboys are struggling with cap space. Fowler would also probably like to continue his career under a coach who has proven he can shape many defensive players.

He’s not a flashy choice, but Fowler is a guy who could benefit from being on a defense that is hungry to continue improving.

3. Richard Sherman, CB

Richard Sherman has had quite the career. At 33 years old, he is a three-time All-Pro, a Super Bowl champion, and a five-time Pro Bowler. Although landing on the IR twice (any player who is placed to the IR twice in a season is automatically disqualified for the rest of the season) only allowed him to play in five games this season, Sherman still played an integral role on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In October, when defensive backs coach Kevin Ross was out with COVID, Sherman stepped up to help coach the unit. While he may not be the high-level cornerback he was in his 20s, there is no denying that Sherman’s leadership and knowledge of the game could help any roster. Young corners like Kelvin Joseph and Jourdan Lewis could learn a lot from Sherman.

Plus, with plenty of time to rest, Sherman could be a veteran outside starter to balance out a young Cowboys secondary. What’s his connection to Quinn? The Legion of Boom, of course. Quinn was the DC for the Seattle Seahawks when this defensive unit was in its prime. This ball-hawking secondary consisted of guys like Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor.

Thomas may never be a Cowboy, though he begged Jason Garrett to give him a chance, but Sherman just might be after all.

From 2012 to 2015, Seattle led the league in defensive scoring and allowed the fewest points scored for four years straight. Quinn was a huge part of that.

We know Sherman comes with injury concerns, but the man knows how to win and has a relationship with Quinn. He could be a great free agent addition to the Cowboys.

2. Younghoe Koo, K

Younghoe Koo may not be a defensive player, but he is a player with ties to Quinn, and a player that Dallas desperately needs. Koo was on Quinn’s Falcons squad for the final two years of his head coaching stint in Atlanta.

Is Koo the best kicker in the NFL? Far from it. But is he an available, affordable free agent who can be better than Greg Zuerlein? Without a doubt.

Koo is one of only six kickers in the entire NFL who made every single one of his extra-point attempts. He went 30 for 30. Zuerlein, on the other hand, went 42 for 48. Koo also made more of his field goal kicks than Zuerlein.

Zuerlein made over $2 million last year to have the brutal season he had. Dallas would be wise to cut Greg the Leg to not only save money in cap space but to also sign a kicker who will likely be much cheaper.

Special teams may not be his current job, but if Quinn could get the Cowboys a new kicker, it would be a huge victory.

1. Damontae Kazee & Keanu Neal

What this slide is really trying to stay is there are several current Cowboys defensive free agents who had such a great season under Quinn, that they would likely want to stay and play for him. Luckily for Dallas, there is no “pursuing” with these players. It’s a matter of securing guys who are already in the system.

Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal are examples of guys who have already followed Quinn. These two Falcons made the trip to America’s Team to play for Quinn last year, and they will likely want to stay to play for him.

Under Quinn this year, Kazee had the most tackles and forced fumbles he has had since 2018. This logic also applies to guys who weren’t even with Quinn on the Falcons, like Jayron Kearse. Kearse had his best season in the NFL (by a long shot) under Quinn’s coaching.

There’s no denying that players on the Dallas defense benefitted from having Quinn as their coach and coordinator. While many players in the NFL go where the money is, there is something to be said for knowing you will have success with a certain team. Quinn’s new contract could make a lot of Cowboys defenders stay in Dallas.

Jerry Jones claims his big scheme was behind Dan Quinn extension

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones went on the radio Friday morning to talk about how he secured Dan Quinn. The bulk of it left us all very confused.