The Dallas Cowboys continued their productive offseason Wednesday afternoon. According to multiple reports, the team has agreed to terms to bring back defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins on a one-year deal.
As I noted last week, one glaring weakness of the Dan Quinn defense is the ability to stop the run. This afternoon was a step in the right direction to address the problem.
Not too long ago, Hankins said he wasn’t ready to sign anywhere just yet, but the Cowboys made it work.
The deal’s price has yet to be released, but it looks like the veteran minimum for one year. The early reports say it is worth about $1.5M, which is on par.
Hankins missed the end of the regular season with a pectoral strain suffered in Week 14’s win over Houston but was able to return for the playoffs.
He doesn’t pop off the screen with his play, but the impact he makes helps. Hankins played in five games, starting three last season. He made 10 tackles and one tackle for loss. He does what he was brought in to do. Plug the hole, and help slow down running backs.
Even with Hankins returning and the team resigning Dante Fowler last week, the team should take a defensive player in the draft early.
The team shouldn’t be done resigning depth on the line, though, and I expect them to resign Carlos Watkins at some point. The current DTs include Hankins, Osa Odighizuwa, Quinton Bohanna, and Neville Gallimore.
They still need to do some significant work on the team’s biggest weakness. The great moves the team has made so far this offseason will now allow them to go into the draft with only a handful of needs.
With Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks coming over via trades, they can shift the focus to the defensive line.
It is a good signing for the Cowboys. The team is doing everything right this offseason. The first time in a long time I can say that. The team has plenty of options they can find even in the draft.
A player like Mazi Smith could fit right into the defense for the Cowboys. If he is around at pick 26 there is no reason why Jerry Jones shouldn’t take him. I know we all think he will take the big flashy college player, but man don’t let Smith slip to Dallas.
Before the offseason started, Smith seemed to be a second round pick. After his tape and everything else recently, he looks to jump into the first round. He may even go before the late 20s where the Cowboys pick.
Regardless of what happens now, Dallas has addressed every single need they had coming into 2023.
They made the big trades to help the biggest issues. Now it is time to use the draft to beef up that defensive line.
Who knows what the team will do on draft day, but with the returns of Hankins they could possibly take a guy in round two if they don’t sign any free agents.