The Dallas Cowboys, after going 13-3 in 2016, went one-and-done in the playoffs, largely due to their inability to get pressure on Aaron Rodgers. This is something owner Jerry Jones hopes to remedy heading into 2017.
Using typical Jonesian phrasing, he had an interesting way of expressing the kind of player he hopes to bring in to make it happen.
“If I have a chance to bring one of these premiere pass rushers, one of these war daddies that takes two to block, if I have a chance to get a player like that – I would … it’s not a question of that,” Jones said on “J Dub City” on ESPN Dallas 103.3, via the Dallas Morning News. “It’s a question of where is he? And who gives him up if he’s a veteran, or where is he in the draft, or where is he anywhere? So, yeah we do need pressure. We’re going to try to do something about it.”
Of course, the ideal target for this type of player is the man most likely to be selected No. 1 in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft, Myles Garrett out of Texas A&M. He made it clear he’d love to head to Dallas in a trade-up scenario (more on that here).
Jones has been aggressive in the past to move up in the draft for players he covets, but the price tag for Garrett’s services is likely far too high. Being that the Cowboys finished with such an excellent record in 2016, they’re slated to pick at No. 28 overall. This means it would likely cost pretty much their entire draft to move up into the top spot, much like the kind of move that was almost made by the Baltimore Ravens to acquire quarterback Matt Ryan back in 2008.
So, as Garrett is likely be out of the question for the ‘Boys, they’ll have to do some heavy scouting on other pass rushers coming into the league this year and/or target some free agents. One such free agent could be former Dallas star DeMarcus Ware, who recently indicated he’d love to play for the Cowboys if he doesn’t return to Denver.