Dallas Cowboys: 5 Early targets in 2021 free agency

2. Dalvin Tomlinson, Defensive Tackle

Probably the most exciting thing about the 2020 offseason for Dallas Cowboys fans was the signing of Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe. Neither was the big-name players they once were but the fact is, Dallas tried to land talent for the interior of their defensive line — something they desperately needed to do for years.

Of course, we all know how things ended. McCoy was injured and released before ever playing a down and Poe is unsigned now after he was cut seven games into his Cowboys career. While neither worked out, the hope is that the decision-makers in Dallas learn from this — and learn the right way.

The fear is going to be their way of learning from this will be to never sign a free agent defensive tackle again. That type of knee-jerk reaction is something they love to do. Hopefully, that won’t be the case here, because what they need to realize is, they should go after a talented player in their prime, not one who left that prime several years ago.

With that being said, there’s a divisional rival who fits the mold of what Dallas needs, Dalvin Tomlinson. The 6-3, 318-pound Tomlinson was added in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and is everything the Cowboys need on their front line. He’s strong against the run and can generate pressure when the opposing team drops back to pass.

He won’t be cheap but whatever Tomlinson costs, he will be worth it as he can shore up a lot of problems this team has on defense.