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Cowboys would be Wise to Extend Tyrone Crawford Now

By Reid Hanson

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The Dallas Cowboys’ starting 3-tech DT stands to boost his value in a big way this season. The Cowboys should re-sign him while they can still afford to do so.

The Dallas Cowboys have multiple players in contract years this season, but no player stands to boost his value more than starting 3-technique defensive tackle, Tyrone Crawford. With free agency only a season away, Craw is positioned to cash in big if he can put together a strong 2015 season

Contract years have proven to be highly motivating for Cowboys players over the years. The two most recent examples are Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray. Both players boosted their stock in 2014, parlaying that success into a larger-than-expected payday in 2015.

Tyrone Crawford now stands in that familiar territory as he plays the final year of his rookie deal in 2015. While history suggests, contract years are great to both players and teams alike, this is one case the Dallas Cowboys would be wise to re-sign their soon-to-be star, before it’s too late.

Big things are expected of Tyrone Crawford this season, and as a result, his contract demands will rise. Locking him up now, will give him security in case of catastrophic injury, and save the Cowboys millions on the back-end.

While it’s pure speculation to expect a big year from Crawford, it’s not without evidence to expect them from the former 3rd round pick out of Boise State. Crawford isn’t exactly coming from out of nowhere, as last season he was dubbed the co-defensive MVP right here at Sport DFW.

Tyrone Crawford didn’t post amazing stats for the Cowboys last season but it’s hard not to notice the impact Craw made. Without the assistance of a well-known and/or well-respected counterpart on the defensive line, teams focused on Crawford. Even being the primary focus of a very pedestrian defensive line, Crawford found a way to succeed.

Rated by Pro Football Focus (subscription required) as the 13th ranked DT in the NFL, Crawford was credited with 4 sacks, 9 QB hits, and 17 hurries in 2014. His perseverance in the middle enabled fellow co-defensive MVP Jeremy Mincey to breakout as well, collecting a career-high 6 sacks of his own.

The Cowboys dedicated time, energy, draft picks, and dollars, to upgrade the defensive line this offseason. Upgrading largely on the edges, Crawford is in the perfect position to statistically explode from the 3-technique spot in 2015.

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Rod Marinelli’s 3-technique DT is a premium pass-rusher on virtually every down. Together with the RDE, the 3-tech is asked to penetrate the backfield and create splash plays.  The 3-tech has far less run-stopping responsibilities than his 1-tech neighbor, Nick Hayden. This allows Crawford to make more impact plays by playing with more freedom and abandon.

If you watched film last season, you know Tyrone Crawford already broke out. He has proven he can create plays and general havoc, even when the focus of the opposition. With Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory, and a now-healthy DeMarcus Lawrence lining up next to him, Craw will be the one often neglected by the offense.

Crawford is sure to face more single-team blocks than previously seen, and as a result, he’s sure to increase his production in a big way. It’s hard to imagine any scenario in 2015, where Tyrone Crawford actually loses value. He’s a perfect candidate to be proactively extended in/after training camp.

Signing him now could be the difference between retaining and losing Crawford in 2016.

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Next: 2014 Defensive Grades: Breaking Down Tyrone Crawford

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