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Dallas Cowboys Free Agency: Jarvis Jones a Defensive End Option?

By Randy Gurzi

Jan 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) gets up after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) gets up after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Dallas Cowboys desperate for help at defensive end, could they look to former first round pick Jarvis Jones as an option if free agency

In building their roster, the Dallas Cowboys have shown no problem with trying out high profiled players who didn’t work out in their previous stop. One such player who could fit that bill would be outside linebacker Jarvis Jones of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former 17th overall pick is set to hit the open market, and with Dallas so desperate for pass rushing help could this be a match?

Obviously, the first deterrent in keeping Jones from joining the’Boys is his production. Despite being a first-round pick, the former Georgia Bulldog never recorded more than two sacks in a single season and had just six total sacks for his career. Despite that lack of production, there was a reason Jones went in the top-20. After spending one season in USC, he was not medically cleared to return to the Trojans after having spinal stenosis from a neck injury.

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Jones then moved across country to join the Dawgs and as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense, and he became a pass rushing monster.

He recorded 28 sacks in two seasons for the SEC team and then went to the NFL. In the draft he wound up with the Steelers, who also run a 3-4 defense. That scheme similarity between UGA and Pittsburgh is another reason Jones to Dallas seems unlikely.

According to a leaked draft board for the Cowboys from 2013, they didn’t even have Jones on their board at all. The reason for this could very well be since Jones didn’t fit as an end in their defense. Perhaps after seeing him play in the NFL that theory has changed, but maybe not.

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Jones would be worth kicking the tires on if he’s looking for a place to prove he can still produce an edge rush—if he is willing to take a small contract. If he’s trying to find somewhere to get paid though, Dallas is not the spot.

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