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Dallas Cowboys: Top-5 Free Agent Edge Rushers to Target

By Reid Hanson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is sacked by Vinny Curry #75 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is sacked by Vinny Curry #75 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NY – DECEMBER 30: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins is hit by Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills and fumbles causing a turnover in the third quarter during NFL game action at New Era Field on December 30, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Shaq Lawson

Age: 25

PFF Rank: 51

Coming in at what appears to be the top of the Dallas Cowboys’ budget is Shaq Lawson. Spotrac estimates Lawson to command a 4-year/ $30.7 million contract ($7.6 million average annual), which would put them just below Robert Quinn territory.

Shaq Lawson is entering free agency coming off a career year. Despite not starting a single game, Lawson posted 13 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, 12 hurries, 28 pressures, and 6.5 sacks

Why would they choose Lawson over Quinn? Age. Lawson will be 26 when the season starts and Quinn will be 30. But with that said, Quinn is the better edge player (tops in the NFL in pass-rush win rate) and Shaq plays more LDE (the same side as Tank Lawrence). All things equal Quinn is a better option but since Lawson is 5-years younger and probably $3 million per season cheaper, he may be the preferable signing.

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Vinny Curry

Age: 32

PFF Rank: 22

The same thing that hurts Quinn’s chances helps Curry’s: Age. While Curry is a full two years older, his age indicates he’s also looking for more modest deal. The Philadelphia pass-rusher is an ideal rotational piece at RDE. Last season he racked up 5 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, 7 hurries, 6 knockdowns, 18 pressures, and 5 sacks.

Curry was Pro Football Focus’ 12th ranked edge rusher in 2019 – four spots above D-Law and five spots above Quinn. If the Cowboys want to go cheap and bring in someone proven on passing downs, a Dornace Armstrong Jr. (or Tyrone Crawford if he takes a pay-cut) and Vinny Curry rotation would work just fine.

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