The Dallas Cowboys don’t need to kick the tires on NaVorro Bowman as the recently middle linebacker would impede the growth of Jaylon Smith.
There are a couple things to get out of the way first. No. 1, the Dallas Cowboys defense is terrible. They’re bad against the run and bad against the pass. Outside of the play of defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, there’s a ton of holes. One of the bigger spots of trouble happens to be at middle linebacker — which brings up point number two, Jaylon Smith has been a liability this season.
So with those two issues, it makes sense that when the San Francisco 49ers released middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman, some might wonder if there’s a chance the Boys would make a move. While their front office has made no intentions known, such a move would actually be a bad decision.
While images of Rolando McClain’s first season with Dallas may pop into one’s mind, this is a different scenario. Dallas needed a guy to fill in for an injured Sean Lee when they gambled on McClain. As they sit now, they have a middle linebacker in Smith. He’s been attacked greatly so far this season, but Dallas has to leave him out there.
More from Dallas Cowboys
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Zack is back, good news for Dak and the Cowboys
- Dallas Cowboys: Are Dak’s interceptions cause for concern?
- Cowboys: Micah Parsons will be even more impactful in 2023
- 2023 NFL Season: It’s now or never for the Dallas Cowboys
After a serious knee injury cost him his rookie season, Smith spent all of the last year-plus trying to get healthy. The fact he’s even on the field is a huge plus and Dallas has to allow him to work out the kinks. He’ll learn on the fly, and now that he can play the following offseason will be about football, not rehab.
Signing Bowman takes Smith off the field, and will be a setback for a guy they spent a premium pick on during the 2016 NFL Draft. On top of that, it’s not like this defense is really one player away. They’re young at a lot of positions, and learning the game —plus have shown recently they want that youth to play when they cut cornerback Nolan Carroll to make room for rookies Jourdan Lewis and Chidobe Awuzie to get more snaps.
Next: NFL 2017: Picks against the spread for Week 6
The rewards of their 2017 snaps will be felt within the next year or two. Signing a high-priced veteran will only halt those rewards.