3 biggest remaining needs for the Cowboys after spending spree
1. Defensive Tackle
On defense, the Cowboys have worked out their cornerback, safety, defensive end, and linebacker room so far in free agency. But, they still have work to do to bolster their defensive line.
Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, Quinton Bohanna, and Isaac Alarcon were the only defensive tackles on the Cowboys roster after free agency started. More signings to this group in the coming weeks was a priority.
Signing back Johnathan Hankins was a great first move for this position. They acquired him at the trade deadline last season from the Raiders for a sixth-round pick. His presence up front was big for Dallas when he was healthy.
He played in just five games for the Cowboys in 2022 and missed the last four games of the regular season with an injury. But in two playoff games, Hankins had one sack, five tackles, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit.
Hankins is a great run defender and he gets things started up front. Dallas signed the 30-year-old veteran to a one year deal on Wednesday.
Carlos Watkins is another in-house free agent that the Cowboys should re-sign as well. Watkins has been with the team since 2021, and he haas been a great role player up front. He had 11 stuffs over the past two seasons with 58 tackles.
Dallas has interest in re-signing him.
Stephen Jones on what’s left to accomplish for Cowboys
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 28, 2023
DT _ Would like to keep vets Johnathan Hankins & Carlos Watkins
TE _ Still looking to beef up that position, likely in draft
G _ Indicates that’s where FA Chuma Edoga will line up
K _ “An itch that needs to be scratched” pic.twitter.com/4eUjJmmTDS
The Cowboys can also add a defensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft. It hasn’t been a common theme for Dallas to select one early in drafts, as they have only selected one in the first two rounds since 1992 — Trysten Hill in 2019, and we all know how that panned out.
But with the Cowboys having an all-around solid roster and defensive tackle being one of their weakest position groups, the team could decide to select one early. Players like Bryan Bresee, Keeanu Benton, and Siaki Ika would all help Dallas’ front seven.
