3 Dallas Cowboys who could be absolutely pivotal in 2020
By Reid Hanson
Dallas Cowboys Pivotal Player No. 2
Tyrone Crawford
Everyone’s favorite player to cut could once again prove to be indispensable for the Dallas Cowboys defense. It’s easy to take the chronically overpaid Tyrone Crawford for granted but the reality is, in three of the last four seasons he’s been the Dallas Cowboys second-best D-lineman.
Every year fans try to cut him, every year the Dallas Cowboys pick up someone to replace him, and every year he locks down his spot. The versatile lineman has been a multipurpose tool for the Cowboys over the years. Part 3-tech, part defensive end, Crawford has played wherever the Cowboys needed him.
At this point in his career he’s proven to be a much better end than tackle and with the exception of select nickel NASCAR packages, that’s where he’ll likely play in 2020: defensive end.
Tyrone Crawford isn’t the optimal solution at end. In fact, he’s probably our third choice. Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith both possess better skillsets at right edge. The only problem is both of those players are suspended. We hope they will be reinstated before training camp but we certainly shouldn’t expect it.
Besides, even if Gregory and Smith do come back we don’t know exactly what we’ll be getting. Gregory hasn’t played in over a year and Smith has been out a half-decade. The anchor at RDE is truly Crawford.
Craw provides the stability needed at RDE. He’s a well-rounded end who can hold up against the run and offers secondary pass-rush moves against the pass. If Crawford wasn’t in the mix, I’d be very worried about the right edge this season. But knowing he’s around ensures the Cowboys to be adequately equipped at defensive end should Gregory and/or Smith not get back in time.