Dallas Cowboys: 3 Bargain Free Agent Pass-Rushers

DeMarcus Ware

Age: 34

Height: 6’4” Weight: 258lbs

Sacks Last Season: 4

Last Team: Denver Broncos

You had to know this one was coming, right? Bringing DeMarcus Ware back to Dallas isn’t just naive romanticism, but a mutually beneficial move.

Injuries kept Ware from making much noise statistically last season. Only playing 315 snaps, he collected a career low four sacks. But his snaps were productive, earning him a 45 ranking by PFF (again, higher than the best Cowboy last season) and in a pass-rush specialist role, he could be an instant upgrade to anyone the Dallas Cowboys currently have.

3-4 or 4-3 doesn’t matter here. All that matters is that he can rush the passer.

Like Julius Peppers, DeMarcus Ware is playing to win. He’s not searching for a payday or a heavy snap count. He wants to make a difference on money downs, doing what he does best – rush the passer.

Many will argue DeMarcus Ware is better suited to be a 3-4 outside linebacker and not a right defensive end in a 4-3 defense (the position he would play with the Dallas Cowboys). While that is absolutely correct in a fulltime role, it wouldn’t matter as a specialist with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys only need him (and Peppers, for that matter) for his pass-rushing skills on obvious passing downs. In that role it doesn’t matter if the Cowboys are a 4-3, 3-4, or 4-6. All that matters is that he can rush the passer.

It’s about gaps and assignments not stance or exact positioning.

Heck, the Cowboys played a significant number of snaps last season with only 2 down linemen. It doesn’t matter. He’s not going to play on 1^st or 2^nd down (unless it’s a passing situation at the end of a half) so he’s rarely going play the run. He can even line up in a 2-point stance if he wants. It just doesn’t matter.