The Dallas Cowboys just wrapped up a first-class shellacking of their division rival, the Washington Commanders.
Most fans agree that the most challenging part of the schedule will begin next week versus the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately for Seattle, Dallas is one of the more complete teams in the league, regardless of what cynics will have you believe.
One position that could use some attention on this team is the linebacking core.
Before Dallas knocked the stuffing out of Washington, a former All-Pro received his walking papers from his team and was made available for teams with Superbowl aspirations.
The reasons for the parting of the ways are all over the place. Could this be an opportunity for Dallas to improve the linebacker unit as winter approaches?
Yep, that's a shout-out for our Game of Thrones fans.
Or could there be variables for the front office to stay hands-off on Mr. Leonard?
Time will tell.
Having more impactful linebacker depth could help Dallas in a major way
Leighton Vander Esch is gone for yet another season. Unfortunately, the linebacker from Boise State has become a frequent flier with the medical staff.
Before that, DeMarvion Overshown watched his rookie season go down the drain with one awkward motion, thus prompting the team to move Markquese Bell to the second level away from the safety group, at least through this season.
Dallas was lucky that Rashaan Evans was available when Leighton went down.
Now that the market is becoming more and more bare, what happens if anyone sprains an ankle?
Markquese Bell heads to the sideline under his own power to be evaluated.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) November 23, 2023
There was a minor scare against Washington when Bell was on the ground awaiting medical attention. He escaped that situation unscathed, but it may not yield the same results next time.
Shaquille Leonard comes in ready-made to play any role, minus special teams.
Don't believe me. Let me direct your attention to Exhibit A, the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Leonard was all over the field. He showed sideline-to-sideline movement skills. The coverage skills were adequate, and the pass rush ability was the cherry on the top.
He recorded 13 sacks in that two-year span, which gave me Demarcus Ware vibes.
Since entering the league in 2018, Shaquille Leonard is the only player with 15+ sacks and 10+ INTs. pic.twitter.com/074dQENGTS
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) November 21, 2023
Dallas saw him front and center in 2019 when he piled up ten tackles and sent the Cowboys home with a not-so-great feeling.
It was the Amari Cooper trade season when things got turned around, but the Colts cut through the Cowboys like a warm knife through butter. There are two sides to every story. I'm about to understand why Dallas should hesitate to pull the trigger.
However, if Leonard can provide 60% of his 2018 and 2019 tape, then Dallas should be on board.
The bill of health has to be clean to get the green light from Jerry & Co.
Everyone loves a good rebuttal. For Shaquille Leonard, that seven-sack year was four years ago.
Yep, it was. For some players, that would constitute a lifetime ago. Granted, Dallas doesn't need the All-Pro version. However, we do need a healthy version of the player.
For the Cowboys to sign Leonard, the back must pass the physical.
Reports surfaced that there may have been some potential health concerns, explicitly pointing to back surgeries that limited his explosion over the past two seasons. Indianapolis didn't want to continue dealing with the issue, among other items.
Dallas has seldom been the team to pluck a free agent from the street and give them some guarantees for the remainder of the year with health issues looming over their heads.
Though teams are concerned about Shaquille Leonard's health, the list of interested parties continues to grow. The #Broncos are now among them:https://t.co/WxFJ3bU48b
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) November 23, 2023
If the back continues to hamper him, it would be hard-pressed to expect Dallas to make a move on him. Markquese Bell and Damone Clark continue to hold the fort with solid, above-average play.
Not only would you be rolling the dice on a potential risk with Leonard, but you would also cut into Bell and Clark's snaps.
The Dallas Cowboys front office has their work cut out for them. Fans expect them to kick the tires on Leonard seriously. But they also know that they need to be responsible for roster management.
I continue to be skeptical about surgeries around the back, but if the health is proper, depth, versatility, and veteran experience are enough for any playoff-bound team to do their due diligence.
