Demarcus Lawrence rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

2. Dallas Cowboys

The 2018 season was up and down for the Dallas Cowboys. Early on the team looked to be dead in the water at 3-5, but they stormed back, courtesy of a five-game win streak, to win the NFC East and make a playoff run. Finishing 10-6, they defeated the Seattle Seahawks during Wild Card weekend but came up short against the eventual NFC Conference champions, the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional round.

The team’s calling card became their defense. Led by strong linebacker play, a physical secondary and a steady defensive line, the Cowboys finished 11th in points allowed per game.

However, even with all the talent on that side of the ball, the Cowboys struggled to get pressure on the quarterback and to force turnovers. They only had 20 takeaways and 39 sacks as a team. Fittingly, both of those issues can be partly solved by re-signing Lawrence.

The Cowboys and Jerry Jones may feel inclined to franchise tag Lawrence for a second consecutive year. Although, it is unclear if Lawrence will hold out if tagged again, as he seeks a new contract.

Jones has to know how critical keeping Lawrence is for that defense. He was the one legitimate pass rusher to go with linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch and corners Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuzie.

With a decent amount of cap space, the Cowboys need to re-sign Lawrence. Letting the player who has led your team in sacks over the past two seasons walk away is not a good idea.