Dallas Cowboys: 3 Replacements for Randy Gregory in free agency

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Von Miller (40) celebrates after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Von Miller (40) celebrates after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Dallas Cowboys
December 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys lost Randy Gregory, after thinking they retained him, and now need to look to the open market to find another starting defensive end

On Tuesday, it appeared the Dallas Cowboys were going to retain free agency pass-rusher Randy Gregory as the two sides apparently came to terms on a multi-year extension. But then, Dallas reportedly tried to put some offset language in the deal that upset Gregory and his camp, and he bolted.

Gregory ended up signing with the Denver Broncos, which means the Cowboys are now stuck without a starter opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. The good news, however, is that there are still some options available for them in free agency.

Here we look at three players who could end up being excellent fits as a replacement for Randy Gregory.

Dallas Cowboys EDGE replacement No. 3: Dante Fowler

Dante Fowler is a player who has not yet lived up to his expectations. A former No. 3 overall pick, he had eight sacks in his second season with the Jacksonville Jaguars but then did very little until his fourth season in the league.

While playing for the Los Angeles Rams, where Aaron Donald got roughly five blockers assigned to him on every play, Fowler racked up 11.5 sacks. He turned that into a new deal with the Atlanta Falcons where he worked with Dan Quinn.

Fowler didn’t pan out with the Dirty Birds but Quinn clearly liked him. There’s a chance the two could try and connect once again as the Cowboys could bring in a younger player who has a lot of potential that could be untapped still.