Dallas Cowboys 3 high profile defensive free agents to target in 2022 offseason
By Randy Gurzi
Dallas Cowboys FA target No. 1: Tyrann Mathieu, Safety
It felt as though we entered bizarro world this offseason as the Dallas Cowboys signed three safeties in free agency. After years of stubbornly (and foolishly) ignoring the position to their own detriment, Dallas ended up agreeing to terms with Damontae Kazee, Jayron Kearse, and Malik Hooker.
But in typical Dallas fashion, they still messed that up as all three were given one-year deals. That means they could essentially be right back to having only Donovan Wilson as a decent starting option. Of course, they could look to bring these players back — or they could look to make an even bigger splash.
Provided Dan Quinn was finally able to get them to budge on their anti-safety ways, he might be able to convince them that they should go for a huge splash in order to put the defense over the top. If that were to happen, they could go after Tyrann Mathieu, who is one of the best in the NFL at what he does.
Mathieu has simply been a ball hawk for his entire career. He has played in 219 career games with the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Kansas City Chiefs. He’s recorded 610 tackles, 10 sacks, 26 interceptions, 76 pass defenses, four forced fumbles, six recoveries, and has three-career defensive touchdowns.
Simply put, Mathieu is a play-maker. Dallas would be wise to explore him — even though they once famously said he wasn’t a fit in their scheme. The good news on that front is Rod Marinelli, who loved Taco Charlton more than T.J. Watt, is no longer there to convince the front office that elite players don’t “fit” a scheme.
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If they do come to this realization and land Mathieu, that could push this defense over the top in 2022.