Dallas Cowboys: 5 Free Agent Defensive Tackles to Target
By Reid Hanson

Dallas Cowboys: Free Agent DTs
Poona Ford (restricted)
Poona Ford is a name most Dallas Cowboys Draftniks are familiar with, having been a popular name in the 2018 Draft. The undrafted DT out of Texas is a restricted free agent, so the Dallas Cowboys would have to consider his tender value before doing anything.
Ford is more of a rotational player who would split snaps evenly with Woods on the Dallas D-line. He’s under six foot but can anchor the inside and even handle some 2-gap responsibility when called upon. Ford collected two sacks, eight TFL, and 14 pressures last season playing 430 pass-rush snaps and 272 rushing snaps.
He ranked 15th overall by PFF and is a player on the rise at age 25. A very tantalizing idea.
Bonus Player: Hassan Ridgeway
More from Dallas Cowboys
- Dallas Cowboys Linebackers: 2023 Position Overview
- Ballhawk University: Why the Cowboys will be takeaway leaders
- Dallas Cowboys Player to Watch: Sleeper TE John Stephens, Jr.
- Dallas Cowboys: The impact of Micah Parsons and a well-rounded secondary
- Dallas Cowboys still unsure about their left guard position for 2023
Hassan Ridgeway was a role player for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. The former 4th rounder out of Texas stands 6-foot-3, 305 lbs and figures to fit more as a 3-tech DT and/or 2-gap 5-tech, than as a traditional run-stuffer.
The 26-year-old graded out well in his limited opportunities and could be on the cusp of really breaking out. Likely available for cheap, he’d be an interesting candidate to take from a division rival. They’ve put in the work developing him now Dallas could swoop in and reap the rewards.
1-tech vs 3-tech
As you’ve noticed, this list of good fits consists of both 1-tech run-stoppers as well as 3-tech under tackles. While it’s clear Dallas needs to upgrade at 1-tech the most, they are equally as deficient rushing the passer from inside. Since Dallas historically values 3-tech considerably more, we need to look at both DT spots
.
Related Story. Why DT is so important for the Cowboys entire defense. light
dark. Next. Running through the Cowboys offseason needs in 2021
The Dallas Cowboys need help at DT, that much is fact. It’s safe to say, if the Dallas Cowboys are going to spend big, it’s going to be at the 3-tech. And if they’re going to go cheap, it’s going to be at 1-tech. They could even do both.