The Dallas Cowboys front office is no stranger to finding diamonds in the rough. The newest addition to the Cowboys defense will help solidify the defensive end position with a veteran player.

Carl Lawson is a veteran player who brings experience from playing in multiple defenses and should be well-rested. This statement comes from Lawson only playing six games last year.

What does Carl Lawson bring to the defense?

Carl Lawson’s Pedigree

Carl Lawson came to the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent signing to help give some experience and juice to the defensive end position.

Starting his career as a fourth-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017. Lawson played 16 games in his rookie year and recorded 8.5 sacks as a linebacker.

Along with his 8.5 sacks, he also contributed 16 combined tackles and eight tackles for a loss—great numbers for a fourth-round rookie.

From 2018-2020, he played in 35 games for the Bengals. He transitioned to the defensive end position in his final year with the Bengals.

In his final three years with the Bengals, he tallied 11.5 sacks, 65 combined tackles, and 11 tackles for a loss.

Fans saw Carl Lawson become a New York Jet in 2022. He returned to the linebacker position and played all 17 games. In those 17 games, he recorded 7 sacks, 33 combined tackles, and 9 for a loss.

In the 2023 season, the Jets put Carl Lawson’s hand back in the dirt when they moved him back to the defensive end. He would only play in six games that year, with no sacks, 5 combined tackles, and no tackles for a loss.

Over his six-year career, he has accrued 107 quarterback hits.

It’s not a bad pedigree being added to an undermanned defensive end unit.

Carl Lawson’s Fit on the Defense

The Cowboys defense needed help at the defensive end position. As all fans know, the team is top-heavy, talent-wise, at this position.

DeMarcus Lawrence is the starter and leader of the defense at the left defensive end position. Behind him are Chauncey Golston, Durrell Johnson, and Al-Quadin Muhammad.

The reserves at the left end spot do not bring a lot of name recognition, but it should be OK.

At the opposite end of the line, at the right defensive end position, the team has all-world talent, Micah Parsons.

Behind Parsons, fans will find Marshawn Kneeland and Tyrus Wheat.

Marshawn Kneeland has been showing he belongs in the NFL and will get time in the regular season.

Carl Lawson will bring not only another veteran presence to the defensive side of the ball but also an understanding of playing two different positions.

The experience of playing both linebacker and defensive could see Carl Lawson being moved around the defense, much like Micah Parsons.

If fans look back at Carl Lawson’s statistics, his best and most healthy years were at linebacker.

Being able to move him around the defense could assist Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer in hiding Micah Parsons.

The ability to hide coverage and blitzes with two players who can play with their hand in the dirt or standing will only make the defense more unpredictable.

The unpredictability of a defense is an offensive coordinator’s nightmare.

Health is a Concern

The one knock on Carl Lawson is availability. In his six years in the league, he has played 74 of 98 games, missing 24 games.

The experienced edge rusher became a free agent in March after a challenging 2023 season with the Jets, where he only played 101 snaps. Lawson described it as a “tough situation,” which also applies to the torn Achilles that sidelined him for the 2021 campaign.

The old saying “availability is the best ability” could be taken to heart in this instance.

As much of an impact as Carl Lawson could make, it all depends on how much he can get on the field.

He has recently stated how much he has left in the tank on dallascowboys.com,

“A lot. I feel like a younger player. My potential hasn’t been reached due to injury, situation, or teams that I’ve been on that haven’t clicked. … I’ve been a very effective pass rusher in this league, but on losing teams. So this is an opportunity to get on a team that can be up in games and I can show my ability, now that I’m healthy, so I’m excited.”

The Dallas Cowboys defense could be getting a Carl Lawson, who has turned back the clock. Offenses should be scared.

Carl Lawson, Micah Parsons, and DeMarcus Lawrence will all be targeting the quarterback. This defense has the potential to be an all-time great defense.

Despite all the grief from fans, the front office is able to find help with cheap players who have a history of being good players.

This could be the latest diamond in the rough for the Dallas Cowboys.