The Dallas Cowboys will enter the offseason with roster holes on both sides of the ball for head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the front office to fill.
Of course, they can’t all be done in one offseason, but certain positions should take priority, and one is a defensive tackle.
For new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, having a run-stopping tackle is needed as the Cowboys struggled against the run for years.
Not known for big free-agency splashes, the Cowboys could look to Cincinnati Bengals free agent B.J. Hill as a candidate to kick off the free-agent spending (with $100 million in the room) in style.
“The Cowboys could be looking at some changes on the defensive line, as DeMarcus Lawrence, Chauncey Golston and Osa Odighizuwa among others are searching for new deals,” CBS Sports writes. “B.J. Hill of the Bengals could be a veteran player Dallas targets to boost what was the fourth-worst run defense in the NFL last year. He’s recorded 16 sacks, 225 combined tackles and 53 QB hits in four seasons with Cincinnati.”
One sticking point will be money, and Spotrac.com has Hill’s evaluation as $9 million APY. Now Stephen Jones’ ears will prick up.
That won’t break the bank, so a two-year, $18 million deal would be well-received by the powers that be, plus he fills a serious need.
With Osa’s future uncertain, so too is DeMarcus Lawrence’s, coupled with the so-so development of Mazi Smith, a solid veteran defensive tackle has to come in.
Is that Hill?
He earned a 69.2 run grade per PFF last season (20th best in football among defensive tackles, if you’re into that), so he has a history of being solid against the run.
Hill won’t break the bank, isn’t an older veteran (only 29), and fills a need for the Cowboys while getting the offseason off to a positive start.
