The upcoming 2023 version of the Dallas Cowboys has one of the deepest rosters in recent memory.
Dallas returns 19 of 22 starters from last year’s team after falling just short in San Francisco in the Divisional round of the playoffs.
Two of those three departures have been upgraded by veterans who are still considered to be at the top of their game: Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore.
Will McClay & Co. have done an excellent job of using the draft to acquire talent.
Most units have young players behind the starters who are poised for a larger role in the rotation.
That gives enough confidence to keep panic at bay should one of the top guys on the depth chart miss time.
One of the positions on the roster that does not have that luxury is linebacker.
The Cowboys took a hit there Saturday night that has most of the fanbase feeling deflated.
Promising rookie DeMarvion Overshown tore the ACL in his left knee against the Seahawks making a routine tackle inside the 10 yard line.
Overshown has been a stand out at camp since being drafted in the 3rd round from the University of Texas.
The former Longhorn looked like the perfect player for Dan Quinn’s defense.
A former safety, Overshown has the flexibility that Dallas covets in their defenders.
At the point of his injury, Overshown looked like a seasoned veteran on the field, making three tackles in his first six plays.
Already struggling for depth, Dallas now has to hang their hopes on Jabril Cox and Devin Harper.
Two players who have yet to reach the potential that made Dallas draft them to begin with, and who were already leapfrogged on the depth chart by Overshown.
I’m no expert, and I obviously take no part in the construction of the team, but it is my personal opinion that Dallas needs to look to free agency for help.
Currently, their top two linebackers have history of spinal stenosis, and could be one hit away from missing time.
The free agent list has one player that sticks out to me who could step in and play a vital role in the success of this year’s team.
Not just as insurance and depth, but potentially for a large role in the regular rotation.
Rashaan Evans
Back in 2018, Alabama LB Rashaan Evans was one name I had circled on my draft board.
Evans is a thumper who also has sideline to sideline speed, and I badly wanted him in Dallas, who needed linebacker help at the time.
Here we are five years later, and Dallas once again could use help at linebacker.
The Cowboys did indeed draft a linebacker in the 1st round that season, taking Leighton Vander Esch with the 18th overall pick.
Vander Esch has played well for Dallas, and is currently the top linebacker on the depth chart.
Evans was drafted just four picks after LVE by the Tennessee Titans.
He had a solid career in Tennessee, but the Titans declined the fifth year option on his contract.
Free agency led him to sign with the Atlanta Falcons last season, and he had a resurgent year.
Evans tallied a career high 159 tackles for Atlanta, also contributing 2.0 sacks and six tackles for loss.
At just 27 years old, he has plenty left in the tank.
The former captain of the Crimson Tide defense would be a menace, and would allow Quinn to continue his plan of using LVE as an EDGE player in certain packages.
Evans’ veteran leadership would also be welcome to help the development of second year player Damone Clark.
I know what you’re thinking. Is Dallas willing to pay for his services?
What if I told you his contract with Atlanta last season cost them just $1.75 million?
Evans signed with the Falcons for a base salary of $1.035 million, with $500,000 guaranteed and a signing bonus of $365,000.
It’s the type of contract that is right in Stephen Jones’ wheelhouse, and it makes too much sense to add him to this defense.
Pull the trigger, Jerry.