Green Bay Packers: 5 Underrated free agent targets in 2018
By Randy Gurzi
2. David Irving, DT, Dallas Cowboys
Despite blowing up in 2017, the Dallas Cowboys have pretty much said they won’t be working on a long-term deal for defensive tackle David Irving. On one hand, it makes sense. Irving has yet to become a full-time starter and even though performing well in 2017, he still was suspended four games for violating the substance abuse policy and missed four other games due to health.
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On the other hand, it makes little sense to subject Irving to any type of market. The fact is, he wreaked havoc while on the field and had seven sacks and six pass deflections in just eight games played. That kind of production from an interior rusher is unreal.
Being restricted means that as long as Dallas places a tender — and they will — they will be given the chance to match any deal from another team. Green Bay could find a number that Dallas won’t want to match, especially considering they already need to work out a contract for unrestricted free agent Demarcus Lawrence, who had 14.5 sacks for them.
If Green Bay lured Irving, he could be a force as either an end or tackle in their defensive scheme, which is said to be a flexible unit run by new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. At 6-7 and 273 pounds, it won’t matter where they decide to use him, Irving’s size and athleticism will be a nightmare for offenses to handle.