The Dallas Cowboys are in need of some depth at defensive end as they have two key free agents at that position in Greg Hardy and Jeremy Mincey. They will also see Randy Gregory serve a four-game suspension, so finding depth wherever they can is an absolute must. The Cowboys could look to select a defensive end during the 2016 NFL Draft, however they will attempt to fill up some of these holes prior to the draft. Following this method will allow the Cowboys to draft the best overall player on their draft board in the first round.
The Cowboys should look to sign defensive end Jason Jones, formerly of the Detroit Lions. Jones is a defensive end who has spent nine seasons in the NFL and at only 29 can still be a productive pass rusher. Jones played for the Tennessee Titans from 2008-2011, followed by a stint with the Seattle Seahawks that lasted one season. He finally ended up on the Detroit Lions where he would develop as an edge rusher from 2013-2015.
During the 2015 season Jones would recorded 15 starts, 31 combined tackles, 4.5 sacks, a pass defense and a forced fumble. In his NFL career Jones has amassed 176 combined tackles, 28 sacks, 24 pass defenses and 10 forced fumbles. With only David Irving, Demarcus Lawrence, Ryan Russell and the newly signed Cedric Thornton and Benson Mayowa, the Cowboys are trying to fill the void left by Hardy and Mincey in any way they can.
Dallas will look to have a strong draft class to complement its offseason moves and will have the fourth overall pick in the draft. The Cowboys have been linked to NFL prospects such as pass rusher Joey Bosa, DeForest Buckner and running back Ezekiel Elliott, however the top player on their draft board has been defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
Ramsey would help shore up the defensive backfield with 2015 first round pick Byron Jones. The Cowboys would also be able to finally move on from Brandon Carr who has been an ineffective cornerback for most of his time in Dallas. Moving on from Carr would save the Cowboys money and could allow them to be more active in free agency. The signing of Jones would be a bargain compared to the amount of money pass rushers earned in free agency this offseason.
