Dallas Cowboys Player to Cut No. 2
Everson Griffen DE
Age: 32
Contract: 1 year/$6 M
PFF Rank: 96th of 110
Age has finally caught up to Everson Griffen. The player who led the NFL in pressures at one point last season seems like a shell of his former self here in 2020. At first, we thought it was because he was out of shape and just needed to regain his legs. But six weeks in, it’s become clear he’s no longer the explosive edge player we thought we were signing.
Griffen has looked slow and hesitant. Multiple occasions he’s been in the right position to make a play, only to freeze and get beat inside or around the edge. Griffen is no longer an explosive edge player who can man the right defensive end spot. He’s no longer a player who should play passing downs. He’s not even a player who can play in running situations.
Everson Griffen had 30 snaps with one tackle.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 20, 2020
Basically, every snap Griffen takes is a snap stolen from Bradlee Anae, Aldon Smith, and soon to be back Randy Gregory. Unlike Poe, Griffen appears to be working with effort. Cutting him isn’t satisfying but it is necessary.
At nearly 33 years of age, Griffen doesn’t factor into Dallas’ long-term plans at DE and all effort should be placed on players who do factor in for 2021 and beyond. Dallas has plenty of options at DE and cutting the floundering Griffen opens those options up.