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
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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
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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.