The Landry Hat
Fansided

3 free agent signings from NFC East rivals that left Cowboys fans laughing

By Randy Gurzi

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 16: Fletcher Cox #91 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a play in the first quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on October 16, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 16: Fletcher Cox #91 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a play in the first quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on October 16, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Cowboys
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 04: Fletcher Cox #91 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on December 4, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

1. Fletcher Cox, DT, Philadelphia Eagles

There was a time when Fletcher Cox was one of the best defensive tackles in the entire NFL. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Cox has been a thorn in the Cowboys’ side for much of his career. He’s had some huge moments against them and overall, he has 486 tackles, 65 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, and 156 quarterback hits.

As impressive as all of that is, he’s not been the same player the past couple of seasons. That’s not evident with a quick glance at his numbers since he had 43 tackles and seven sacks last season but he’s not the same dominant player he once was, especially when it comes to stopping the run.

In 2022, PFF gave him a grade of just 53.5 in run defense and he was just above a 60 overall. That’s down from 68.7 a year ago and 74.1 in 2020. All the years prior were beyond impressive but it’s clear he’s trending in the wrong direction.

Even with that being the case, Philly re-signed him for $10 million this year. That feels like the most ‘Jerry Jones’ move ever. Clearly, Cox is being paid for what he once was, rather than what he offers. It looks even worse when you see his snaps come at the expense of Jordan Davis (the No. 13 overall pick in 2022) and Milton Williams, who have both been more effective when on the field.

Home/Cowboys News