The Dallas Cowboys added a key piece to their defensive front this week when they inked veteran Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy to a three-year deal worth 18.3 million (9 million guaranteed). There's a possibility, with the NFL no longer suspending players for positive marijuana test under the new CBA, that Randy Gregory could be back in 2020 also.
The Cowboys could definitely use some more help in the trenches on defense and there's one name that could add a lot of value in free agency, and that's Defensive End Everson Griffen.
Griffen is a former fourth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2010 out of USC. After not registering a sack his rookie year, he would rack up 17.5 over the next three seasons. His breakout season came in 2014 when he had his first double-digit sack season with 12. In 2015, he made his first Pro Bowl after compiling 10.5 sacks. Over the next two seasons, Griffen received two more Pro Bowl nods including a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2017 after a career-high 13 sacks. He only played in 11 games and produced 5.5 sacks in 2018, however, he got his fourth Pro Bowl selection after producing 8 sacks last season.
This could create quite the intriguing defensive front if the Cowboys do snag Griffen in free agency. Former All-Pro DeMarcus Lawrence had a lackluster five sacks in 2019, however, adding Griffen would lessen the number of double teams Lawrence will have to deal with. This would provide a very formidable duo coming off the edge, and when you consider the possibility of Gregory being reinstated, the Cowboys would have a three-headed monster rushing the passer from the perimeter. Lastly, McCoy and his 59.5 career sacks (at least five in each of the last eight seasons) have already bolstered the interior and replaced former starter Maliek Collins who went to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Vikings' defense is undergoing a transformation. Everson Griffen opted to void the remainder of his contract (2020-22), per source, which creates significant cap space, but there's more work to be done. A look at other moves to possibly come: https://t.co/XvQGYyEBB1
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) February 20, 2020
Griffen has spent his entire career with the Vikings and put together quite the resume. He has registered 74.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, 16 passes defended, and two interceptions. Now, of course, all this will depend on the interest level of the Cowboys and what Griffen feels his price tag should be. Nonetheless, if this were to happen, the Cowboys could already have a very solid lineup on the defensive line before the NFL Draft in April.
