The Cowboys have a few things going for them and as long as the money’s right, they should be a desirable landing spot for Shaq Leonard. | From @ReidDHanson
When Shaq Leonard was released by Indianapolis last week, the Cowboys were immediately linked as a potential suitor. But unlike most links to Dallas, this one had actual teeth. The Cowboys’ thinnest position on their roster is arguably their LB corps so a former All-Pro like Leonard just makes sense.
Playing primarily out of a nickel defense that utilizes extra safeties and rarely asks more than two off-ball LBs to take the field together, the Cowboys have their starters in place. Damone Clark, an ascending second-year LB out LSU, and Markquese Bell, a converted SAF, have been doing admirably at LB for Dallas.
The two players understand Dan Quinn’s system and are proving to be true three-down players for the Cowboys. But behind them the well looks dry.
A neck injury in Week 5 had already ended the season of Leighton Vander Esch, and before that, Dallas lost rookie LB DaMarvion Overshown to a preseason ACL tear. The player they hoped would have developed by now, Jabril Cox, never did, resulting in his preseason release. Even Devin Harper was lost when Cincinnati claimed him off waivers in late September.
Aside from Bell and Clark, the Cowboys only have Rashaan Evans playing the off-ball LB position at the moment.
On one hand, this could be seen as a bad thing, but on the other hand, it’s that glaringly obvious need at the LB position that’s Dallas’ biggest selling point.
The Cowboys need Leonard and that could work to their advantage. Players want to be where they’re needed. The Cowboys are extremely shallow at the position and can all but guarantee snaps to Leonard on Day 1.
The chances of Bell and Clark going injury-free from here on out is fairly slim. LB is a physical position, and at the very least, an extra LB could give them breathers in a regular rotation.
Leonard might not be likely to regain All-Pro form, but last seen, he’s still pretty darn good. He’s particularly effective in run support, which happens to be an area in which Dallas struggled. It should be no mystery as to why the Cowboys are interested in adding Leonard and why they scheduled a visit for Tuesday.
Recent reports indicate other teams may also be interested in the former Colt and Dallas will have to sell him on the idea of joining the Cowboys. While money is understandably a big factor in any free agent sales pitch, the attractiveness of the situation is also sure to play a role.
Besides money, the Cowboys have a few things separating them from the pack:
- An immediate need
- A long-term need
- Contender status
- A dominant defense around him
The immediate need is clear. Rotating Leonard in on obvious run situations is a way he could make an instant impact on the Cowboys.
Yet, unlike other teams who just need Leonard to hold down the fort while other players recover from injuries, Dallas needs him for the entire season. There are no reinforcements coming for the Cowboys which means Leonard can feel confident he won’t be benched a few weeks down the road.
The Cowboys are also quite clearly playing for something. They are one of the top teams in the NFC and on a clear path to the postseason. Leonard would be playing for something in Dallas.
The Cowboys also have an elite defense in place around him. Their defensive line and secondary are elite. Leonard wouldn’t be picking up the slack of others – he’d be playing with an All-Star cast and only have to focus on himself.
As long as the money is right, there are reasons to believe the Cowboys have the inside track on adding Leonard.
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