Cowboys make another big signing that fans have manifested for months

They may have waited until mid-August, but the Dallas Cowboys are finally beefing up their defensive line. It is clear that Mike Zimmer wasn't satisfied with what the Cowboys brought into training camp.

Zimmer's defenses historically have had a strong spine. You can bet your bottom dollar that the defensive coordinator has had major influence in Dallas' recent flurry of moves.

In the past seven days, they've added edge rusher Carl Lawson, who fills a huge hole in the wake of Sam Williams' season-ending injury. They also traded for cornerback Andrew Booth, who starred in the second preseason game, as well as defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who gives Zimmer another big body to deploy along the interior.

Phillips said he will play the three-tech position, where he has experience in Zimmer's defense under some of Zimmer's proteges. That meant the Cowboys still had to find another nose tackle to deploy alongside Mazi Smith. It did not take long for Zimmer to find his guy.

In a move that Cowboys fans have manifested for months, the team reportedly signed veteran defensive tackle Linval Joseph, who played under Zimmer with the Vikings. Longtime NFL insider Josina Anderson was the first to break the news.

Cowboys sign DT Linval Joseph to reunite Mike Zimmer with another former player

Joseph signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million guaranteed. The 35-year-old is a towering presence at 6-foot-4 and 329 pounds. He was actually teammates with Phillips in Buffalo last season, so Dallas' newest additions have experience playing together.

A former second-round pick of the Giants, Joseph enjoyed his best seasons under Zimmer. He signed with the Vikings months after Zimmer was hired as head coach. Joseph made consecutive Pro Bowls in 2016 and 2017 when he posted a combined 7.5 sacks, 27 QB hits and three forced fumbles.

Now 35 years old, Joseph isn't going to blow up running plays by himself at a high rate anymore. However, he can still a job occupying blocks and plugging gaps, which is exactly what Zimmer needed to execute his defense. An added bonus is that Joseph can be a good mentor for Mazi Smith.

They waited until the last minute, but the Cowboys deserve credit for transforming their interior defensive line. Nobody's saying they have a good IDL group, but Osa Odighizuwa, Smith, Jordan Phillips and Joseph should be more than enough to get by given the talent at other positions.

With Joseph coming to beef up the NT position, the Cowboys' roster doesn't have many question marks left with Week 1 right around the corner.

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