In a move that came as a surprise to many outside the Colts organization, Indianapolis announced they are parting ways with their former All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard. Leonard will go to waivers allowing NFL teams to claim him under the terms of his current deal. If he goes unclaimed, every team will be free to negotiate with the 28-year-old veteran.
Claiming order is determined by team record, and the Cowboys could very well have interest in the 6-foot-2, 230-pound South Carolina State product. They are desperately thin in their LB ranks and have been creatively deploying safeties to fill many of the traditional LB roles.
Coming off a game where the struggling Panthers were able to move the ball at a clip of 4.8 yards per carry, Dallas could use some assistance in run support. LBs Damone Clark and Markquese Bell have been carrying the burden and a veteran like Leonard could make a significant impact in the rotation behind them.
With that said, Leonard was released for a reason. The standout LB suffered through significant injuries over the last two seasons and has seen a reduction of playing time in 2023 as a result. Often exiting the field on third downs, Leonard had grown dissatisfied with his role in Indianapolis, eventually prompting his release.
What exactly Leonard has left in the tank is a topic for debate. Based on PFF grades he’s at his best playing the run and tackling. His pass-rush scores and coverage scores have taken a significant dip since his injuries. Based on his snaps with the Colts, all of those scores are validated since they often took him off the field in passing scenarios.
Luckily for the Cowboys they don’t necessarily need a coverage LB right now. Between their two starters and their slew of SAF options, they are rich in pass defense. It’s run defense they need. By all appearances, Leonard has that.
Anyone expecting Shaq Leonard to be the star he used to be will be sadly mistaken but on a team like the Cowboys he could be useful in a run-stopping role. He’s slightly better than Clark in ADoT and adds depth to an extremely shallow unit. If he clears waivers 🤷🏼♂️ kick the tires pic.twitter.com/qFQXGn6j6n
— Reid D Hanson (@ReidDHanson) November 22, 2023
Given his injury history it’s unlikely any team will claim him off waivers and take on the terms of his current deal. Leonard would cost an awarded team over $6 million for the rest of the season. The Cowboys are one of several teams who could make that signing without shuffling money around, but it would eat up all of their remaining space. The mix between teams with the space, the need, and postseason aspirations is a limited group.
That bodes well for Dallas since they are low on the list of wavier priority. If the Cowboys want him, they will have to negotiate with him after he presumably clears waivers.
What makes Dallas an attractive place to Leonard is the lack of depth they have at the position group. Aside from the recently elevated Rashaan Evans, the Cowboys have a perfect landing spot for a veteran seeking opportunity. It’s not a full-time role like he once had but it’s a potentially significant role on an otherwise dominant defense with a team that has realistic Super Bowl aspirations.
This has the makings of a low-risk, high-reward signing. Leonard is a smart, high-character player who will be an asset on the field and in the locker room. He’ll help insulate the Cowboys for injuries and add run support skills to a team that appears to need them.
He has to clear waivers first and the money has to be right, but this appears to be a perfect match under the right conditions.
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