The Dallas Cowboys haven't done a whole lot in the early stages of free agency, and that's not much of a surprise. This is what we've come to expect. The Cowboys aren't that interested in chasing free agents at the inflated cost that comes with free agency. Instead, they'll wait until the market volatility dies down and get involved.
With Defensive Tackle Dalvin Tomlinson off of the board to the Minnesota Vikings to be their 3-technique defensive tackle, the Cowboys are still looking for a player to help improve their run defense. Even after tendering Antwaun Woods with the original round restricted free agent sheet, they need to find an upgrade to play in front of Woods on the depth chart.
One player that comes to mind is Malcom Brown, who has had previous stints with the New England Patriots and most recently with the New Orleans Saints. Coming in at 6-2 and 320 pounds, Brown brings the necessary size and production to the 1-tech defensive tackle spot that could really help boost the Dallas Cowboys run defense and help Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch stay clean and do what they do best; run to the football.
According to Pro Football Focus, Brown finished 2020 seventh in the NFL in run stop % among players who played at least 68 snaps against the run. Only three players who played more run snaps than Brown had a higher run stop % per Pro Football Focus.
For perspective, Brown had nearly 100 fewer snaps against the run than Neville Gallimore but finished tied with Gallimore with 15 run stops. For even more perspective, Brown had 160 fewer run snaps than the best defensive player in the NFL, Aaron Donald, and finished tied with Donald in run stops.
This is how good Malcom Brown is at stopping the run.
The Cowboys missed out on the top 1-technique defensive tackle in free agency, but it might actually be better for them in the long-run if they're able to sign Malcom Brown. As the starter, but in a rotation with Antwaun Woods, the Cowboys could be really good against the run in 2021. And as they work to fill holes in free agency, this one makes way too much sense.
They may not have landed Dalvin Tomlinson, but Malcom Brown is the move the Dallas Cowboys need to make to begin fixing their defense ahead of the 2021 season.
