Dallas Cowboys Should Pursue Defensive Tackle Maurice Hurst

It’s not often at this point in free agency that talented players instantly become available. Generally, after the dust has settled a month into free agency, you have to wait until the the training camp cuts start happening to see the kind of talent that’s not available on the free agent market. But now that he’s cleared waivers, Maurice Hurst becomes the top free agent available for any team in need of defensive tackle help, which is almost every team.

The Dallas Cowboys should take a run a t Hurst, who is only 25 and has been in the league for three seasons now. Though his 2020 was a down year, with just 0.5 sacks and  one tackle for loss in 11 games, he did have six quarterback hits per Pro Football Reference, which were the second most in his career.

Hurst also accrued 11 total pressures and 11 stops per Pro Football Focus. He was graded as the 23rd best defensive tackle overall and the 16th best pass rushing interior defensive lineman. He graded out ahead of notable lineman Fletcher Cox and Dalvin Tomlinson.

The former Michigan Wolverine comes with a question mark, most notably to his health. Hurst was found to have a heart condition at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. The discovery led to a dramatic fall in the NFL Draft that saw him selected in the fifth round by the Raiders. That question remains, though it’s unknown if that’s what led to his release.

Regardless of his 2020 season and his heart issue, the Cowboys should look into adding the balanced defensive tackle.

Hurst would immediately step into the starter rotation with Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore and it allows you some flexibility to play Gallimore at some 1-technique defensive tackle.

A team can never have enough defensive lineman, especially those who play along the interior. As the Dallas Cowboys look to improve their interior defensive line play in an attempt to help their linebackers, taking a deep look at Maurice Hurst and signing him if the medical check out is the wise move to make. Even if you’re concerned about his heart condition, as part of a 3-technique defensive tackle rotation with Hill and Gallimore. hurst should be fresh and could potentially give you more with just. A third of the defensive snaps.

With the draft less than two weeks away now, the Cowboys can still add pieces that help them draft free and unbridled by drafting for need. Maurice Hurst would be a really nice addition at this stage of the offseason.