Dallas Cowboys: Ranking new additions by order of importance
By Randy Gurzi
12. Tarell Basham, EDGE
As important as it was to add a young defensive end such as Chauncey Golston in the draft, it was also important to bring in some veteran help. Dallas did this in free agency when they picked up Tarell Basham who spent the past three seasons with the New York Jets after starting his career with the Indianapolis Colts.
A former third-round pick from Ohio, Basham was a player the Cowboys were reportedly interested in back in 2017 when the Colts landed him at No. 80. It’s safe to say Basham never met his potential with the Colts as he was waived the following season.
He was claimed by the Jets where he started to find a role. In 42 games, with 12 starts, he had 69 tackles with 5.5 sacks. 3.5 of those sacks came this past season for the Jets and surely helped him as he looked for a new home.
The problem is, he now finds himself in a crowded position. He’s not going to start over DeMarcus Lawrence or Randy Gregory which means he’s again a rotational player. Dallas has several of those including Dorance Armstrong, Bradlee Anae and Golston, who were actually draft picks by this team, meaning they will be given the benefit of the doubt if it’s close.
This one probably would have felt much more important without Golston, but with him, Basham could be on the bubble.