Dallas Cowboys free agency 2019: Top 5 targets
By Joe Romano
Sheldon Richardson, DT
Two defensive positions should top Dallas’ wish list in free agency; safety and defensive tackle. As it stands the Cowboys only have two defensive tackles on their roster in Maliek Collins and Antwaun Woods. The former is a second round pick who’s been solid but inconsistent. Woods has come on strong but is a spot that can be upgraded. If you throw in Tyrone Crawford who is listed as a defensive end but plays tackle in nickel downs, the Cowboys still have a glaring need at a 1-technique run stuffing body.
Sheldon Richardson could fit that bill for Rod Marinelli and company. Richardson is a talented player who’s unfortunately bounced around in his young career. Despite only being 28 he’s played for three teams, two in the last two years. Off the field concerns have made him sign a one-year deal, to prove that he can play to an elite level. In Minnesota he was part of a strong defense that clogged the middle for opposing offenses.
Marinelli is known to make the most out of every defensive lineman that played for him. With David Irving leaving this offseason Dallas could see themselves open to a player with off the field concerns given the strength and leadership of this coaching staff. Richardson has been quiet off the field as of late and could provide this defense with the interior presence it lacks.
Grady Jarrett is the most talented free agent defensive tackle but it is hard to envision the Falcons letting him go. Other players to keep an eye on for Dallas at that position are Malcolm Brown from New England, Ndamakung Suh from Los Angeles and on a lower scale Rodney Gunter of Arizona.