Dallas Cowboys free agency: 4 Defensive players they need to add
By Randy Gurzi
3. Larry Ogunjobi, Defensive Tackle
The first player in Charlotte history to ever be selected in the NFL Draft, Larry Ogunjobi was a third-round pick for the Cleveland Browns in 2017. By 2018, he was a fixture in their defense and had a breakout campaign.
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Ogunjobi had 52 tackles and 5.5 sacks for Cleveland, standing out as an interior pass-rushing presence. Then in 2019, the Browns moved him to a different role with Sheldon Richardson coming in to play more of the three-technique.
Despite playing out of position, Ogunjobi had another 50 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Still, his effectiveness was down and he entered 2020 with questions about his future. Now, he’s likely set to hit the open market after posting 46 tackles and 2.5 sacks in a contract season.
So why should Dallas target Larry O if he has been on the decline? Simple, they can get a talented player with a lot to prove — on a cheap contract. Not only that, but Ogunjobi can return to the position he played in 2019 for Cleveland where he focused mainly on rushing the passer.
Ogunjobi might struggle some in run defense but the NFL nowadays is all about stopping the pass. If you can’t get pressure on the quarterback, it doesn’t matter if you do stop the run. That’s why adding players such as Ogunjobi who can generate a pass rush would be a wise move.