Dallas Cowboys: 4 players who could make the pass-rush dominant in ‘18
By Reid Hanson
Tyrone Crawford – Right Defensive End
28-years-old
6’4” 290lbs
Key stat: PFF’s 25th ranked edge player
I can see Cowboys Nation rolling their eyes from here. Tyrone Crawford, arguably the most overpaid Dallas Cowboys player on the roster, has built quite the reputation for underperforming. While he may never live up to that $10-million per year contract he’s playing on, he’s still an extremely productive player who is guaranteed a large role in 2018.
Crawford, or “Craw”, is a victim of versatility. The ability to play both inside and outside has seemingly worked to his detriment because the Cowboys have never let him focus on one craft/one role for any worthwhile period of time.
Until now…
Word out of The Star is that Crawford has been asked to cut weight. Considerable weight. The kind of weight that fully commits him to the defensive end position.
Over the past three seasons, Craw has pulled in between 4-5 sacks per season. Consistent, but not an overly impressive figure. But anyone watching the film can see he has more close calls than anyone else on the roster.
Factoring his tackles, pressures, and hits and Tyrone Crawford ranks as Pro Football Focus’ 25th edge player in the NFL. Surprising? Probably. This illustrates he’s due for a breakout in the sack column. You can only be on the wrong (or right) side of a coin flip so long. The odds are inevitably going to tip.
Here’s why they tip now:
Like the aforementioned two before him on this list, Tyrone Crawford is essentially playing on a make-or-break deal. If he doesn’t perform better, the high-priced vet is financially expendable in 2019. The Dallas Cowboys know this and Crawford knows this. Never underestimate the power of financial incentive.
Even if Tyrone Crawford can’t improve on his numbers, his impact as a pressure player will be enough to add to this extremely impressive pass-rush.