Fansided

Dallas Cowboys free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

By Mike Phillips

FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Team owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys talks with the media during a press conference at the Ford Center at The Star on January 08, 2020 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Team owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys talks with the media during a press conference at the Ford Center at The Star on January 08, 2020 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Javon Hargrave #79 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Javon Hargrave #79 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

3. Javon Hargrave, DT

Another area on the Dallas defense that could use some bolstering is the defensive tackle position. Maliek Collins is a solid player who just completed his rookie contract, so he could be in line for a big payday in free agency.

The Cowboys seemed to prepare for the possibility of Collins’ departure by drafting Trysten Hill in the second round a year ago, but his rookie season was underwhelming. If Hill isn’t ready for a bigger role next season, the Cowboys have to address this position in free agency.

The smart money says the Cowboys would look to retain Collins, but another good fit for this spot would be Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. A third round pick by the Steelers in 2016, Hargrave blossomed into a strong interior defender a year ago, setting a career high in tackles (60) and adding four sacks for good measure.

Like Klein before him, Hargrave isn’t as sexy a name as some of the top potential free agents at his position, but he could provide tremendous value for a team that has to weigh the salary cap carefully. Hargrave’s ability to not only stop the run but create pressure from the A-gap could make life hell for opposing quarterbacks in the NFC East.

There should be a vast market for Hargrave’s services, but it likely won’t explode to the effect that the elite defensive linemen like Jadeveon Clowney and Yannick Ngakoue could. Hargrave could even prove to be an upgrade over Collins, so that is something the Cowboys should strongly consider.

Home/Dallas Cowboys