Dallas Cowboys: 5 Realistic targets in 2019 NFL free agency
By Randy Gurzi
4. Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Los Angeles Rams
Dallas has done a good job in the past of finding players who didn’t meet their draft expectations and getting decent production out of them. They can do that again this offseason by targeting edge rusher Dante Fowler, Jr. who spent the last part of 2018 with the Los Angeles Rams.
Fowler was originally selected No. 3 overall in 2015 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn ACL in minicamp which slowed his progress. Fowler did return and play well in 2016, registering eight sacks for the Jags in a rotational role. He never was able to become a full-time starter due to the Jags being crowded at the position and knowing they weren’t going to extend him, Fowler was traded at the deadline this past season to Los Angeles.
He was able to make a run to the Super Bowl but it unlikely to return to the cap-strapped Rams. That could open the door for Dallas to try and land an edge rusher who can line up opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. Currently, the Cowboys have been using Tyrone Crawford and Randy Gregory in that role, but Crawford could slide inside and fill a huge need at the three-technique.
It’s also safe to say that the team has soured on 2017 first round pick Taco Charlton. Fowler May never live up to his No. 3 overall pick status, but he could offer a better piece on the edge than what Charlton has provided in his first two seasons in the league.