Micah Parsons' contract is the elephant in the Dallas Cowboys' front office this season. One of the other pressing questions surrounding the franchise is whether they will re-sign Osa Odighizuwa or let him test free agency.
Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports reported shortly after the season that Dallas wants to extend Odighizuwa before the legal tampering period opens on March 10. We'll see if that comes to fruition. It would behoove the Cowboys to get out in front of this before they have to get into a bidding war to keep their standout defensive tackle.
Re-signing Odighizuwa feels like a no-brainer considering he's the most disruptive interior defender in recent Cowboys history. The million-dollar question, though, is whether he's worth $20-25 million per year.
If the Joneses don't think so, they'll have to add at least two DTs in free agency to account for Odighizuwa's production and potentially draft one relatively high in April.
The defensive tackle market is nothing to write home about this year, but an intriguing option may soon be available.
Falcons DT Grady Jarrett would be the perfect Cowboys signing
Even with the NFL announcing that is salary cap could reach as high as $281 million, the Atlanta Falcons are projected to be $4.987 million over the cap. Veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett sticks out as an obvious cut candidate. Doing so would create over $16 million in cap savings.
Jarrett has been a cornerstone of Atlanta's defense for a decade. Approaching his age-32 season, the former fifth-round pick doesn't have any guaranteed money left on his contract and will count over $20 million on the cap next season, per Over The Cap.
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A two-time Pro Bowler, Jarrett isn't the world beater he was in his prime but he is still a quality defensive tackle. He started all 17 games last season, producing 34 pressures, nine tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks and 28 defensive stops.
Jarrett has been productive year in and year out despite playing on a pedestrian Falcons defensive line. Atlanta's defense in general has been average throughout his tenure.
Approaching his mid-30s, Jarrett may relish the opportunity to play on the same front as Micah Parsons. With DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs patrolling the secondary, Jarrett will have more time to get after quarterbacks.
Even at his age, Jarrett won't come cheap given his reputation around the league. Assuming he'd be a lot cheaper than Odighizuwa's projected salary, though, he'd be a perfect get for new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
There's a path for the Cowboys to rebuild their DT room in one fell swoop this offseason. Signing Jarrett (if cut) to replace Odighizuwa would be a fantastic start.