Another week has passed, and the Dallas Cowboys still have not added a veteran linebacker. It seems like a matter of when, not if, they do so, but with every week that passes, the more likely they are to revisit a trade after the NFL Draft.
In the meantime, Dallas has added more depth to its defensive line, with NFL Network's Mike Garafalo reporting over the weekend that they signed veteran Jonathan Bullard to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleBullard started 37 games over the last three years with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints, respectively. He can't rush the passer, but he's the perfect interior defender to unleash in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
With Bullard and Otito Ogbonnia, Dallas now has two quality backups behind Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. The front office might not be done adding to the IDL, but adding Bullard likely rules out the possibility of drafting a defensive tackle with one of its first three picks.
Signing Jonathan Bullard likely rules out the Dallas Cowboys drafting a DT early
Selecting Clemson's Peter Woods or Ohio State's Kayden McDonald at No. 20 overall has gained traction on social media after the Cowboys traded Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.
While you can never rule anything out with a team that typically drafts the best player on its board, signing Bullard lessens the need for a capable player behind Williams and Clark.
Granted, the future of the position is a bit murky, as Dallas could move on from Clark next year, but a room of Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Bullard, Ogbonnia, Jay Toia, and a potential Day 3 pick is enough to get by, barring injury.
It doesn’t carry the same punch as a Williams-Clark-Odighizuwa trio, but selecting another DT in Round 1 would be redundant and a questionable use of resources given the needs at edge rusher, linebacker, and cornerback.
The Cowboys are at the mercy of the 11 teams drafting in front of them, but they'd be sitting pretty if they come out of the first round with any two of Caleb Downs, Mansoor Delane, Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidor, Dillon Thieneman, Cashius Howell, Avieon Terrell, or Colton Hood.
The common denominator among those prospects? None of them plays defensive tackle.
While Woods or McDonald would be worthy Round 1 picks for Dallas, the Cowboys didn’t do enough in free agency to justify it. They still need two starting-caliber linebackers, along with reinforcements at edge and cornerback.