After announcing they signed Defensive Tackle Carlos Watkins to a one-year contract earlier today the Dallas Cowboys continue to stock up on defensive lineman by doing the same with Brent Urban.
The #Cowboys have agreed to terms with defensive linemen Brent Urban to a 1-year deal, per source.
— Kate Urban (@Kate_KanSkate) March 18, 2021
You know you don’t have to worry about your sources being accurate when the wife of said player makes it twitter official. Brent Urban is heading south to suit up for the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 and he seems pretty excited about it.
https://twitter.com/urbanlegend96/status/1372638050916970497
While this isn’t the “big name” signing many Cowboys fans were hoping for it’s a good, solid offseason addition nonetheless. Brent Urban’s addition will go a long ways in helping one of Dallas’ biggest weaknesses on defense last season as a run defender, something he’s graded out pretty well as according to Pro Football Focus.
New Cowboys DT Brent Urban had a 79.7 run defense @PFF grade in 2018 and 83.7 grade in 2020. Latter was third-highest run defense grade among all NFL interior linemen.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 18, 2021
Believe it or not, but adding Brent Urban to the mix is a move that should upgrade the Dallas Cowboys interior defensive line this season. While this isn’t the sexiest of offseason moves it is one that should be viewed as an upgrade.
Instead of Watkins and Urban why they don’t sign one better player to play along with Gallimore? They can draft one more young talent in 4-5th round
It’s not surprising. These are the kind of moves the Cowboys always make in free agency. They sign players to fill holes so that they can enter the NFL Draft without any glaring “needs”.
Should be viewed as an upgrade, only because The Jones Boys haven’t done SQWAT!!!!
Doesn’t matter how they draft, because whomever they draft (Anae, Bernard, Robinson, etc….) will be inactive on game day.
Agreed Brian. I have watched Urban play some and he made a positive impression on me. Think that is a pretty good add. No knowledge on Watkins.
Sam, Watkins played very well at Clemson, especially his final year when they won National Championship in 2016, when he had 50 total tackles, 12.5 TFL, 10.5 Sacks, 4 PD.
Drafted in 4th rd by Texans in 2017, in his 4 years, played in 42 games, 74 total tackles, 9 TFL, 4 sacks, 5 PD.
Hope he can get back more toward his college results, but he may be a decent signing.
Sam, Watkins, 6’3″ 300, played very well at Clemson, especially in 2016 when they won National. Championship, 50 Ts, 12,5 TFL, 10.5 Sacks, 4 PD. Played decent at Texans, 4th rd pick, hopefully he can get back to he college results.
I seen both of these players pla while they werr in college and a few gamos here and there during their pro career. They both good players, better than Ankou, Hill and Hamilton. They are both at the same level as Woods or Gallimore but much more experienced. They are not the type to take over a game or dazzle you with stats, but they are good players, especially compared to last year.
Third highest grade against the run in 2020, hmm, that sounds like something we definitely need.
BRIAN- I’m curious about these recent DL signings. Do any of them actually protect as starters? What will their role be? Situational pass rushers or 3rd down DTs? I know D linemen often times rotate in and out but are any of them actually better than what we already have?
I was hoping for an upgrade especially at DT. I’m guessing or hoping they will still try to get a stud DT via the draft. Improve that position and the whole defense benefits.
Right now I think only Brent Urban projects as a starter. He’s mostly a two down run defender though.
Thanks for the info Van. Juan, sadly I agree with you. There was nothing more irritating to me last year, (given the teams position) than watching young players sitting on the bench, on all three levels of the defense. Inexcusable and indefensible. Could we have some ballers that maybe aren’t great practice players? Nobody knows, including the coaching staff and front office.
That style of personnel management will only allow you to uncover gems by “luck”. Bernard, Gifford, Carter, Robinson, Anae? No idea. It was even tough getting snaps for Gregory.