Dallas Cowboys: Is Sheldon Richardson in the cards?

Sheldon Richardson has been linked to the Dallas Cowboys several times and is again available. Will the two sides finally connect?

One name that has been connected to the Dallas Cowboys several times throughout the years is Sheldon Richardson. A former first-round pick of the New York Jets out of Missouri back in 2013, Richardson is a player Dallas was reportedly interested in near the end of his tenure with Gang Green.

New York was (shockingly) looking to unload talent to re-tool their roster and the Cowboys were said to have kicked the tires. In the end, the Jets traded him to the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick.

Naturally, that price was too steep for Dallas but then Richardson was available again the following offseason and the speculation started once more. The Cowboys didn’t land him in free agency, however, as Richardson signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

Following a strong campaign with them, Dallas didn’t even sniff the deal he got in 2019. That was when the Cleveland Browns came calling and Richardson agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract to play in Northeast Ohio.

For two seasons, he was the most consistent defensive tackle in Cleveland and racked up 126 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Even with his production, Richardson found himself on the chopping block after Cleveland made several moves in free agency and it was announced on Friday that he would be released.

The move saves the Browns roughly $11 million in cap space but it does leave them weaker on the line since Richardson was still such a force. His ability to perform should also allow him to again land on his feer, despite being 30 years old.

As for Dallas, they still have a major need at defensive tackle. Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore are both young and while they could prove to be decent contributors, neither has distinguished themselves just yet. Brent Urban is also there and was an underrated signing, but is he enough of a talent to overlook Richardson who is clearly the better pass rusher?

Right now, there’s been no indication that the Cowboys are interested in Richardson but that could change. They have shown in the past that he’s a player they like and he could provide a needed veteran presence to help their young tackles progress.