Free agent Cowboys fans begged for has been a godsend for Mike Zimmer

A report came out last week that New York Jets fans were a driving force in the team's offseason signings of Tyron Smith and Mike Williams. Both moves blew up in the Jets' face, which is why fan opinions typically don't hold any weight in personnel decisions.

That's what makes Woody Johnson one of the worst owners in the NFL. Not many owners would peruse social media for free-agency inspiration. Sometimes, though, we wish Jerry Jones would actually take what Dallas Cowboys fans have to say to heart.

If he did, the Cowboys would have Derrick Henry. They wouldn't have traded for Trey Lance or Jonathan Mingo, and they definitely wouldn't have waited until the eleventh hour to sign Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.

RELATED: Rookie RB is making Cowboys' Trey Lance trade look even more idiotic

Beyond Henry, Cowboys fans circled a number of defensive players as ideal signings. That included nose tackle Grover Stewart and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Jones didn't oblige in either case, but he eventually listened to reason regarding edge rusher Carl Lawson.

Cowboys fans were right about wanting Dallas to sign Carl Lawson

It took longer than expected, but the Cowboys finally signed Lawson in mid-August, nearly three weeks after Sam Williams tore his ACL in training camp. They actually released Lawson during the roster crunch, but quickly re-signed him to the practice squad.

It look time for Lawson to get acclimated to Mike Zimmer's scheme and while he isn't playing heavy snaps, he's made a world of difference.

Since Week 5, Lawson leads the NFC with 13 quarterback hits, per Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan. Additionally, only Micah Parsons (eight) and DeMarvion Overshown (five) have more sacks than Lawson's four. He's third on the team in QB hits and fourth with 18 pressures, per PFF.

These numbers don't jump off the screen, but they are notable for someone who signed for essentially the vet minimum.

It's no surprise the Cowboys got Lawson at a bargain. He's missed significant time in his career due to injury and he played just six games in 2023 with the Jets.

Those were red flags, but Lawson was productive in 2022 to the tune of seven sacks, 49 pressures and a 72.8 pass-rush grade, via PFF. The former first-round pick has had success in the league. He's exactly what they needed in light of Williams' season-ending injury.

We'll see what Lawson's snap share looks like when DeMarcus Lawrence is back and Marshawn Kneeland gets healthier, but he's earned a role regardless. Very quietly, the 29-year-old has been one of the best value signings of the 2024 offseason.

More Cowboys news and analysis