Cowboys top-10 free agent additions under Will McClay’s guidance

7. Jeremy Mincey, EDGE, 2014

In 2014, the Cowboys found themselves trying to replace a legend. DeMarcus Ware was released due to salary cap restraints and he went on to win a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos. In Dallas, they found their next star defensive end in the second round of the NFL Draft when they took DeMarcus Lawrence.

While that’s the case now, it wasn’t in 2014. Lawrence hardly played as a rookie, recording just nine tackles. He did show out in the playoffs but injuries limited him in the regular season.

Thankfully, they found someone capable of holding things down in free agency when they signed Jeremy Mincey. A former sixth-round pick for the New England Patriots, Mincey spent the first six seasons of his career in Jacksonville, although he did finish year six with the Broncos following his release.

Mincey’s signing hardly made any noise but he proved to be a great addition, starting all 16 games for the NFC East Champions. He played well also, recording 37 tackles and six sacks, helping them get into the playoffs.

Once in the postseason, he continued to perform at a high level, putting up nine tackles and two sacks in just two games. He did return for one more year but was behind Greg Hardy and didn’t have near the impact he did in 2014 — although considering what a nightmare Hardy was, it would have been better to keep Mincey starting opposite Lawrence that year.