3 veterans the Cowboys should replace in the NFL Draft

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Defensive Lineman Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys follows the action against the New York Jets in the second half at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 13: Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys makes the sack on Brandon Allen #8 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. Tyrone Crawford

The Cowboys front office will be ecstatic to get Crawford and his $9.1 million salary off their books in 2021. His inevitable departure will leave a void in the team’s starting lineup, but it should be relatively simple to secure an upgrade in the draft.

Unlike linebacker, the Cowboys should strongly consider spending a first-round pick to improve their options at edge rusher. They need someone who can take some heat off of DeMarcus Lawrence in the short-term before taking over his responsibility as the team’s No. 1 pass rusher in the future.

If Dallas goes for an edge rusher with their No. 10 pick in Round 1 then Gregory Rousseau should be their clear target. He’s the only defensive end with the talent to justify going that high in this year’s draft.

If the Cowboys go with a different position on Day 1, it’s imperative they come back around on Day 2 and fill this need. Quincy Roche, Carlos Basham, or Chris Rumph could all be interesting options in Round 2. Any number of draft prospects can give Dallas more production than Crawford did this season.

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