The Dallas Cowboys have a new era unfolding with Brian Schottenheimer calling the shots. They made several additions in free agency, as they looked to bring in some veteran options.
One of those additions was a reunion when they signed DE Dante Fowler Jr. to a one-year, $6 million deal. While this move may not be seen as anything significant among fans, it could end up being their best value signing.
Dante Fowler Has Chance to Be Terrific Value Signing
Fowler spent the 2024 season with the Washington Commanders, joining Dan Quinn for his first season as the head coach there. Over 17 games last season, he had 39 total tackles, 14 TFLs, 12 QB hits, and 10.5 sacks.
Prior to joining Washington, he was with the Cowboys for the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. In 34 games, Fowler Jr. had 40 total tackles, 16 QB hits, and 10 sacks.
Considering he was the 3rd overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he has been known able to be a sound pass rusher throughout his career. In nine years with the Cowboys, Jaguars, Rams, Falcons, and Commanders, he has supplied 279 total tackles, 70 TFLs, and 55.5 sacks.
Micah Parsons is the alpha along the defensive line, but that unit for the Cowboys has a ton of talent. They extended Osa Odighizuwa, drafted Donovan Ezeiruaku in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, while having Marshawn Kneeland and Sam Williams return from injury.
Kneeland had a partially torn lateral meniscus that forced him to miss multiple games in 2024, meanwhile, Williams was done for the year due to a torn ACL. That means Fowler Jr. will be leaned on early in the season but he's shown that he can be effective at generating pressure.
In his two seasons in Dallas, Fowler Jr. finished with at least a 63 overall grade and 70 pass-rush grade according to PFF.
The Florida product has four seasons with at least six sacks. Adding another pass rusher for only $6 million could end up being a massive steal, especially if he's able to replicate the type of year he had in 2024.