Dallas Cowboys Expected To TARGET Free Agent EDGE Rushers | Who Is The Best Fit?

Summary

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Locked On Cowboys Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Dallas Cowboys Expected To TARGET Free Agent EDGE Rushers | Who Is The Best Fit?
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Date: February 17, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down the Dallas Cowboys’ urgent need for edge rush help. They analyze the top free agent and trade options at edge rusher, debate the merits and risks of big-ticket versus value options, and discuss which players could realistically fit the Cowboys’ scheme and cap structure. The hosts bring their usual blend of realistic analysis and optimism as they preview how Dallas might address this critical need during the 2026 offseason.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys’ Offseason Edge Rusher Needs ([01:32] – [03:23])

• Depth & Quality Required: The Cowboys must add at least one starting-caliber edge and one solid rotational player this offseason, possibly more for depth.
  • Landon McCool: “You probably need to come out with two, you know, not quite starter but probably at least one solid starter and then one very heavy rotation player out of this offseason period.” ([02:28])
• Limited ‘Edge 1’ Options: Relying on a rookie to be an immediate top pass rusher is risky; most true edge ones are not available in free agency or draft unless fortune strikes.

2. High-Value Free Agent Edge Rushers ([03:23] – [11:41])

• Trey Hendrickson ([03:23] – [06:27])

  • Seen as the only real "edge one" free agent this year.
  • Concerns: Age, hefty price tag ($20–25 million), one-dimensional as mostly a pass-rusher, and durability.
  • Landon McCool: "Buyer beware. Even despite the fact that he is definitely the top end guy, his age... and the contract, all these are factors." ([05:28])

• Odafe Oweh ([06:27] – [08:21])

  • Only 27, flashes potential, strong finish with the Chargers, but has never played more than 700 snaps.
  • Likely to command $20M/year despite being more of an above-average starter than a true star.
  • Landon McCool: "This is what you’re getting when you buy on the open market." ([07:03])

• One-Year Veterans: Joey Bosa & Khalil Mack ([08:21] – [09:47])

  • Both aging but can be impact players in limited roles.
  • Bosa: Preferred for pass-rush specialist duty due to relative youth (31 years old).
    • Landon McCool: "If you get Bosa, you recognize you play him mostly in a pass rush role and try to protect him a little bit." ([09:01])
  • Mack: Still excellent in space and coverage but 35 years old, heavy mileage.
    • Marcus Mosher: "Mack has been better over the last three years, but you are talking about a 35-year-old."

• Jalen Phillips ([10:08] – [11:08])

  • Only 27, injury history but projected at $15M for one year; potentially the "best of both worlds" between youth and versatility.
  • Landon McCool: "If he’s available for a one-year $15 million, I’d absolutely do that." ([10:35])

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3. Best Value Free Agent Edge Rushers ([13:57] – [21:20])

• Bradley Chubb ([14:39])

  • Recent ACL injury, possible value if signed to a "prove-it" deal ($9–10 million).
  • Landon McCool: "Maybe you sign him to a... one year prove-it deal and see if you, if you can get him in a situation..."

• Jadeveon Clowney ([16:22])

  • Performed well for Dallas last season, effective in rotational role, likely wants a pay bump.
  • Marcus Mosher: "He was pretty clearly your best edge rusher [last season]... would love to see them bring him back."

• Caleb on Chaisson ([17:07])

  • Young, flashed juice as a situational rusher, still affordable.

• Dante Fowler ([17:07])

  • Had success on successive one-year deals, familiar with Cowboys’ scheme.

• A.J. Epenesa ([17:07])

  • Possible under-the-radar value, especially as a run defender.

Host Insight: Double Dip on Value Option

• Landon McCool: “If we're talking about these lower paid guys, it could be multiples of these guys kind of filling the role.” ([17:07])

• Kyle Van Noy ([19:05])

  • At age 35, valuable for early downs and coverage, cheap ($1-3M).
  • Marcus Mosher: “He eats up a bunch of snaps and then allows you to get Cassius How on the field on third downs.”

• Arnold Ebiketie ([19:52])

  • Productive whenever given snaps; could be a shrewd buy-low in the mold of past Fowler signings.
  • Marcus Mosher: "He's somebody that can play in space... The pass rush win rate stuff is all very encouraging."

• Von Miller ([21:20])

  • At 37, would need a snap-limited role but still respected for pass-rush ability.

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4. Top Trade Options at Edge ([25:16] – [29:24])

• Maxx Crosby ([25:16])
  • Would require a premium trade package and likely a new contract. Cowboys must consider his heavy snap count and scheme integration.
    • Landon McCool: "It's not just a trade... you may have to end up signing him to a new deal as well." ([25:16])
• Nick Herbig (Steelers) ([26:29])
  • Young, wants a starting role and a new contract; a strong scheme fit.
    • Marcus Mosher: "I just think Nick Herbig is the best fit here... wants to be a full-time starter."
• Kayvon Thibodeaux (Giants) ([27:06])
  • 2022 #1-rated player on Cowboys’ draft board (per behind-the-scenes), now behind other edge rushers in NYG and could be a buy-low target.
    • Marcus Mosher: "...the Cowboys had Kayvon Thibodeau as their number one player in that class. It would not shock me if they go back to their pre-draft evaluation..." ([27:06])
    • Landon McCool: “He’s obviously been really up and down and there’s a reason he’s the odd man out here... that comes with caveat, boredom of its own.” ([27:25])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Realism of Adding a Top Edge:
  • Marcus Mosher: "I think there’s only one edge one in free agency right now and that’s Trey Hendrickson." ([03:23])
• On the Cost and Risk of Free Agent Pass Rushers:
  • Landon McCool: "This $20 million for an edge rusher that had a somewhat promising season last year, like that's the buyer's market at this point." ([07:03])
• On Building the Room Through Multiples:
  • Landon McCool: "If we're talking about these lower paid guys, it could be multiples... kind of filling the role." ([17:07])
• On Potential Trade Options (Thibodeaux):
  • Marcus Mosher: "Maybe the Giants would rather have...I don't know how this trade would work. It would be difficult. But he is somebody I could see being dealt at some point this offseason." ([28:35])
• On the Need to Take Swings:
  • Landon McCool: "You’re going to have to take some swings and win in some areas where other people aren’t." ([28:57])

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Segment Timestamps

• [01:32] – Cowboys’ Needs & Strategic Approach
• [03:23] – Top Free Agent Edge One: Trey Hendrickson
• [06:27] – “Young but Unproven” Market: Odafe Oweh
• [08:21] – Potential One-Year Rentals: Bosa & Mack
• [10:08] – Value/Youth Play: Jalen Phillips
• [13:57] – Value Free Agents: Chubb, Clowney, Chaisson, Fowler, Epenesa
• [19:05] – Early-Down Stoppers: Van Noy, Ebiketie, Miller
• [25:16] – Top Trade Candidates: Crosby, Herbig, Thibodeaux

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Summary & Takeaways

• The Cowboys need multiple new faces at edge, ideally a starter and a high-end reserve.
• The free agent class is thin at the top; true “edge ones” are scarce and expensive.
• Smart value signings and creative trades are likely.
• The team may double dip at the value tier and/or explore “buy low” trades for talented but underperforming players.
• Flexibility and rotation will be key; the days of relying on one ironman edge are fading.

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This episode serves as an essential blueprint for Cowboys fans and NFL observers trying to forecast how Dallas might address one of its neediest positions with both immediate impact and roster depth in mind.

Transcript

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[Marcus Mosher]

It'S no secret that the Dallas Cowboys need Edge rush help. We'll tell you some of our favorite free agent rushers next.

[Tyler Rowland]

You are Locked On Cowboys, your daily.

[Marcus Mosher]

Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day. Welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys Podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen every single day. We are part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. I am your host Marcus Mosher. He is Landon McCool and on today's show we're taking a look at some of the top free agent edge rushers who could be options for the Cowboys this year as we expect them again expect them to be more active in free agency this year. We're going to look take a look at some of the high value guys that could come right in and maybe give you 1012 sacks a season. We'll talk about some value plays and some trade candidates later on in the show. But Landon, let's start with this. What do you think the Cowboys hope to accomplish in free agency when it comes to the edge rusher position?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean they have a lot of needs right. And they've got even really inside the the edge room itself. They they probably need to come out with two, you know, not, not quite starter but probably at least one solid starter and then one very heavy rotation player out of this off season period. Whether you want to combine free agency and draft draft sessions together. They got to find a way to kind of. And they're going to need to add more depth than that too. But I think at minimum you're going to need to come out of this kind of free agent draft period with, with two of these players and, and you know, we'll kind of talk about having to cobble it together, but I don't think that it's as realistic to go out and, and kind of find your, your edge one unless one falls to you in the draft really. And even then like kind of relying on a rookie edge to be your edge one is. Is. Is. Is a difficult thing at times. So.

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, I think you mentioned landed like there's only, I mean I could be wrong, but I think there's only one edge one in free agency right now and that's Trey Hendrickson.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And I think there's going to be a hefty kind of bidding war for him for sure. And I think the rest of the guys, and we'll talk about the rest of them too, you know, it's kind of more of a. There are going to be some teams that are going to try to squint right and try to make, make. Make fetch work, as I keep saying, because they're gonna, they're gonna hope that they can throw a whole bunch of money at Ode away and Odafi away and think that he could, you know, maybe take a step and, and maybe become something more than he is. So I agree. I, I don't know that there is necessarily a lot of shopping for that guy on the open market this year. And the draft is what it is like if you get a guy at the top, even if you love Reuben Bane, you may not expect him to come in and function in that way right away. So I think for the Cowboys they have to lean in what, what they've got with Ezra Rocku and then kind of cobble together the rest of the pass rush plan with. With it with. With what's available in free agency and what they can get in the draft.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so let's talk about some of the top edge rushers on the market. And the first guy is Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals. It doesn't seem like they're going to franchise tag him. And just kind of depending on the site that you use, the expected market value this year is somewhere between 20 and 25 million. Again, the Cowboys could afford this, but I don't necessarily know if they're going to go all in For a guy like Hendrickson this offseason.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, I mean, look, first of all, the market is becoming more and more difficult to shop in because of the increasing cap, and more teams are able to retain their best players. Right. So even these guys are at the top of this market. Have some words to him. And, and, and Hendrickson certainly does. Even though he is clearly the only one of these guys who you would. Yes. Label as an edge one type player. You know, he's an older player. He is probably mostly a pass rush player. I mean, he, he can play run defense, but he's not necessarily great at it.

[Marcus Mosher]

No.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, that's for sure. And, and, and I think that you worry about, you know, how long he's going to be able to maintain this level of, of production that he's put up for these last years. I mean, obviously last year was kind of a down year because of the injury stuff and because of. Of everything that happened in the off season with his contract. So, yeah, just a guy that there's like a lot. Buyer beware. You know, even despite the fact that he is definitely the top end guy, you know, his age situation, the, the contract that he's going to command, all these are factors. And then just the kind of fact that he's not necessarily, necessarily an elite athlete, as we've talked about, once those guys kind of fall off or lose a step, they could really lose a step. So, yeah, a little bit of nervous, you know, but I mean, if you're going out to get a pass rusher, if you need to feel like you need to go get this guy, like to give you somebody that can give you 12 plus sacks if he can play a whole season, I think Hendrickson's definitely the guy that you would look to first for that kind of role.

[Marcus Mosher]

Now if you're looking for somebody a little bit younger but more unproven, Dafi Oy, who you mentioned he could be a candidate. He was traded from the Ravens to the Chargers midway through the season and honestly was really good for the Chargers down the stretch. I believe he was 11th in pass rush win rate since the trade. Only 27 now. He's never played more than 700 snaps in a season. And he's always been a good starter, but not a great starter. Right now over the cap is projecting him at $20 million per year. Is that too much for a guy that's this unproven?

[Landon McCool]

I mean, you have to understand that this is what you're getting when you buy on the open market. Right. Like this $20 million for an edge rusher that had a somewhat promising season last year, like that's the buyer's market at this point, you know. So I think if you're looking to kind of feel better about the situation right away, I think you can do this. You can spend $20 million and put away out there. And I don't think he's going to be a guy that is, like we said, a 10 plus sack guy every single year. But I think he would be a useful starter who would probably be an 8 to 10 sack guy. He maybe, maybe he does come in here and show you a little bit more than he has in the last few stops. And not that he's been bad, but maybe he takes another step, who knows? But I think he is a guy that you could sign this money, feel pretty good about it because he's a young player, he's still got fresh legs. He's played in a similar type scheme before where he's had to drop into coverage. He's familiar with that kind of stuff. So I think of the guys that you're going to try to spend some money on, if you're going to spend some money on, he's probably one of the few guys I would take a gamble on because I think he provides you a high floor. There's a little bit of upside there and there's some familiarity with the kind of scheme you're running. It's just that you're having to overpay him.

[Marcus Mosher]

How about some one year rentals? You're looking at Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. These are both guys that are in their 30s. I believe Joey Bosa will be 31 during this year. Khalil Mack will be 35. Both of these guys are projected anywhere from like 14 to 19 million per year of these two one year rentals. Which one would you prefer for Dallas?

[Landon McCool]

I think for me I would probably prefer Bosa just because I think I, I still. Even though there's an injury component to it, I mean, I think that there's some of that with Mac too, but Mac is, I think it's 30. He's four years older.

[Matt Derry]

35?

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, he's 35 before. Years older. Yep.

[Landon McCool]

So he's four years older. It's. And that's just a lot of extra wear. The tear. I think if you get Bosa, then what you do is you recognize that you, you play him in mostly in a pass rush role and you try to protect him a little bit. Maybe find somebody else to pair with on first and second downs to kind of take on some of that run stuff. So you keep his legs fresh. And I think if you're going that route, right, if you're going to pay that money to go that route, then I would probably go the post route.

[Marcus Mosher]

I, I, I actually think Mac has been better over the last three years, but you are talking about a 35 year old. And yeah, I will say Mac is a much better player in space. So if you're using more odd fronts, you, he has got a lot of experience kind of playing, you know, standing up, dropping into coverage.

[Landon McCool]

But I see that's the thing. If it was Mack, I would probably play him more that but that actually is what scares me a little bit. Right. Is that like, like I feel like, you know, it's like can you get that value out of Bosa by protecting him as a pass rusher or by playing Mac full time at 35 years old? And it's like that's kind of difficult calculus to do because you're right, I would play Mac more often because he's more versatile.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yes. Yeah. One more name here that I wanted to mention. Jalen Phillips, who the Eagles traded for at the deadline. I believe that Philadelphia is going to do everything possible to try to get him back, but right now on over the cap, the projection is one year, 15 million almost fully guaranteed. He'll be 27 during the regular season. He's had a bunch of injuries, but this is a very, very talented player.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean I, I, I, I question his fit in this, in the scheme a little bit because I think he is like a really great fit for, you know, a 4, 3 outside scheme even though he played in this scheme similarly last year and it worked out fine. I think, you know, for $15 million in a one year deal, like that seems like totally reasonable. I, I, I question whether the Cowboys could get him for that. But like if he's available for a one year $15 million, I'd absolutely do that.

[Marcus Mosher]

Would Bosa and Mac.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, because I think you get the best of both worlds there. Right. You get a guy that you feel like is, you know, you're not worried about making it through. Well, I mean, you are. See that's the thing you still worry about. There is some of the Bosa to it because he has an injury history, but he's, you know, what, four years young. He's another four years younger than Bosa. So I think you think he can hold up and I think you get the benefit of Mac right where I think he could probably do a little bit of everything or you could at least teach him to do a little bit of everything. He doesn't necessarily have to be a pass rusher only.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so those are some of the top names on the market. We're going to tell you some of the best values that could be available in free agency next.

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[Marcus Mosher]

Welcome back to the Lock On Cowboys Podcast we'd like to thank you for making us your first listen every single day. The off season doesn't exist for the everyday club. Join the group chat to talk Dallas Cowboy football all year round and get every episode of the show ad free. Head over to Lockon Cowboys supercast.com or hit the link in the show notes to learn more. All right, let's talk about some of the best value edge rushers who could be targets for the Cowboys. Because I honestly think this is the range of players, you know, somewhere between 5 and 10 million a year is where the Cowboys are going to be the most aggressive. So for you, who is the best edge value on the board?

[Landon McCool]

Well, first of all, I think we need to talk about a guy who kind of I, at least I think maybe falls between these two categories and he just recently became available and that's Bradley Chubb, right? A little bit of an older player, kind of, you know, has some of the injury stuff that we talked about. But again this is what we're talking about on the free agent market. I don't really know like it's, he is kind of new in the free agent market. He, you know, we don't really know what his estimated amount of, of AAY is going to be. That isn't quite up on sport track yet. But I mean he made 18 million last year. Obviously he did not have a great season last year. There's a reason he's being let go, but he is, he was coming off of another ACL injury which again part of his history is having multiple ACL injuries. He's a 29 year old linebacker, a pass rusher. He does have a ton of experience. He has played an extremely high level in the last several years. And the thought could be maybe you sign him to like, I don't know, like a 10 million dollar deal, 9 million dollar one year prove it deal and see if you, if you can get him in a situation where he's another year removed from his ACL and he plays a little bit better football closer to what you saw in 2020, the end of 2023 before he tore his ACL. I think he's a guy that should at least be, you know, kind of the tires kicked on a little bit just because you know the market is what it is and, and it's not necessarily fantastic. And you're probably going to need to find one of these, you know, one year rental retread defensive end guys that you are going to need to invest in to kind of hit this year as part of a plan, you know, comprehensive plan of how to fill out your edge room.

[Marcus Mosher]

I just, I did not like what I saw from him as a pass rusher. Now, he got a little bit better as the year went on last year, but I just think the injuries have zapped him of almost all the athleticism. And if you're going to spend one, you know, if you're going to spend 8 to 10 million dollars a year, I would just prefer Jadevion Clowney, who I actually thought played really well last year for Dallas. I mean, he, he came in after what, a couple weeks, wasn't in shape, but by the end of the year, he was pretty clearly your best edge rusher. Now, I'm assuming he's going to want a little bit more money than what he got last year, which was 3 million or something like that. He's 33, so you do have to limit his snaps a little bit. But I thought clowning was good for Dallas last year. I would love to see them bring him back.

[Landon McCool]

And I don't think, you know, again, like, I don't think that precludes you from these guys. Like, especially in these lower rate guys. We're not necessarily talking about a higher, a higher paid guy and a lower paid guy. Like, if we're talking about these lower paid guys, it could be multiples of these guys kind of filling the role. And, and you know, I think, you know, having both of those guys would be, you know, a great way to kind of protect both of them a little bit. Right. I, I think there's a couple other guys that, you know, I, I kind of circ list that, I mean, a little bit cheaper. But it depends on, it really also depends on how you want to build this. Like, do you want to, you know, spend a little bit less money on a guy that's a pure pass rusher that can give you some juice on the edge just so you can secure that. Like, do you want to go and see if you can continue to get some good pass rush out of Caleb on Chase, on who I think had a really good year this year, probably looking to make a little bit more money than he had last few years, but I think you could probably still get him for less than, you know, $9 million and then you could figure out maybe some of the early down stuff and at least maybe you've got some juice on the edge. I also am not opposed to bringing back a guy like Dante Fowler. Right. Like, he played well last year. He continues to play well in These one year deals, you have familiarity there. He's obviously been in town, so I don't think he's not a fit for what you're doing in this, in the system, especially as a pure pass rusher. He's another guy that I would be interested in, I think. And then if you want to go the other route, like, I think you could probably go and get a guy like AJ Epanessa and see if maybe he could, you know, stand up, maybe kick the tires on that a little bit. But I think if you're looking to kind of get a veteran strong side guy who can, you know, hold up in the run a little bit and then pair him with another pass rusher, I think that's another smart way of handling that. Or just get a more veteran, you know, first and second down guy and go and spend, you know, the 12th or 20th pick on, on a guy that you want to come in as a pure part time pass rusher.

[Marcus Mosher]

Early on I've got two names that I wanted to throw. The first one is that first and second down guy and that's Kyle Van Noy, who's going to be 35. You're signing him do I mean the numbers here, like 1 year, 3 million, like it's, it's basically veteran minimum at this point. He's played a ton of snaps over the last 10 years. He's really good in coverage and he stops to run. Now you don't really want him as a pure pass rusher, but he's a guy that you, you sign on a cheap deal. He eats up a bunch of snaps and then it allows you to get Cassius how on the field on third downs?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I, I think, yeah, I mean I think you just. Were you going to take it right at 12 or you need to trade up to go get your.

[Marcus Mosher]

No, I mean, 20's fine.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, that's fine.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, that I really like. Yeah. Just because he's got so much experience standing up. And if you need a guy that can drop into coverage, set the edge, stop the run. But one of my favorites, Landon, is Arnold Ebiketti, who played at Penn State. He was a, I believe, a second round pick by Atlanta. He was in a tough spot this year because he was behind Jalen Walker and James Pierce. But this is somebody who whenever he's played for Atlanta has played well. He's only 27 years old right now. Pro Football focus is projecting him at like a two year, $15 million deal. And, and this is somebody that can Play in space. He, he played, you know, as a 3, 4 outside linebacker in Atlanta. The pass rush win rate stuff is all very encouraging. He's somebody that I would be willing to buy low on. Kind of like the way the Cowboys did a few years ago when they brought in Dante Fowler. I think E is somebody that should keep an eye on.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, you're going to need some of those guys like guys that you, you, you buy low on and, and maybe hopefully just out scout the market and hope that he hits because he's a good fit in what you're doing. And I do think that, you know, finding these veteran guys to kind of play on first and second down cheaply. I mean, you mentioned Jadevian Clowney, guys like that. Right. It helps you go and, and spend the some smart money on trying to find some upside plays. A pass rusher like, like you just mentioned. So I certainly endorse going that route. And then also obviously frees you up to go draft guys like, like your boy Cassius. How if you want to, in the 20 overall.

[Marcus Mosher]

One more name that I know people have asked us about von Miller. He's 37 again, another guy that's plenty of experience playing in space. He's looking at, you know, one year, three, $4 million again. I know that his play is really dropped off, but is he somebody that you're interested in at all as like a veteran to pair with Donovan Azaraku?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, I, I think, you know, in the same sense that we talked about maybe to a lesser degree that the Bosa situation and like that I think you could sign him if maybe deal with him like you've been dealing with Fowler. Right, where you try to limit him to mostly pass rush roles, but you know, he'll also do some snap early down stuff if you need him to. Yeah, I, I think, you know all these guys, like, even if they're not what they used to be, that doesn't mean that they don't have value as part of a rotation.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, let's talk about the top trade options. I mean, the big name is Max Crosby, but we got a couple other names you should pay attention to. We'll get to them next. This episode is brought to you by. Indeed, workplace chaos. Deadline stacking up in blocks overflowing. And the one position you have to fill in is still sitting open when the pressure's on and you need the right hire. This is a job for sponsored jobs. Indeed. Sponsored jobs help you reach the people who actually fit what you're looking for skills, experience, location. So you're not just hoping that the right candidate stumbles across your post. And here is a stat that says it all in the minute I've been talking to you guys. Companies like yours made 27 hires already on Indeed according to Indeed Data Worldwide. So if you're hiring, spend less time searching and more time interviewing candidates who check all of your boxes with Indeed Sponsored Jobs. So spend less time searching and more time actually interviewing candidates who check all of your boxes with less stress, less time, and more results when you need the right person to cut through all the chaos. This is a job for Indeed Sponsored Jobs and listeners of this Show Get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status that it deserves@ Indeed.com podcast just go to Indeed.com podcast right now and support our show by saying that you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com podcast terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed Sponsored Jobs. This episode is brought to you by fanduel. If you ever wanted to experience the NBA Finals live and in person, FanDuel is going to hook you up. FanDuel is giving you the chance to turn that dream into a reality with their NBA Sweepstakes. And here's how it works. Use your profit boost on any NBA future and you'll automatically be entered for a shot and to win an NBA Finals trip for two. That's right, flights, tickets, the entire experience. If you're already looking at the board now that we're post All Star break and thinking about which teams can make a deep run, this is the perfect time to lock in. I love betting on the futures market. I like betting on who's going to win the divisions, who's going to come out of each conference, and it's all available on FanDuel. So visit FanDuel.com to get started and use your profit boost on an NBA Future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Welcome back to the Lots on Cowboys podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen every single day. Landon if the Cowboys don't make a big splash in free agency, who are a couple of names that they could trade for to address to address their edge rush need?

[Landon McCool]

Well, obviously the big name is Max Crosby and we've been talking about it as a, you know, because it's been in the kind of air around us and certainly been talked about by a lot of other broadcast organizations. And, and you know, look, we've talked about the pros and cons here quite a bit, but I, I think that there are other ones that are maybe a little bit more sensical. And, and look, I think the, the first, the first thing that we would say is that it's not just a trade with Max Crosby likely you may have to end up signing him to a new deal as well. There is, there's obviously some, some downside to the, the kind of all the snaps that he's had and, and how that would, and how, how he would fit in your system. So it's not as clean and it's not as necessarily cut and dry as it just being a case of, of a contract situation. There's, there are some other elements there that kind of make it a little bit less appetizing than it was maybe at the trade deadline last year.

[Marcus Mosher]

I think the first thing was just.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, yeah, like give, give us like your day. Because you. I don't want to like introduce. You have the best name honestly in your, in your article and I, I honestly want to talk about that first.

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, I think, I just think Nick Herbig is the best fit here. I think, I think he's somebody that could be a really strong fit. Pittsburgh's gonna have to move one of their edge rushers this offseason. He wants to be a full time starter. He wants a new contract. And I think the Cowboys are a team that would, would make a lot of sense. The other one I had for you is Kayvon Thibodeau, who the Giants selected. I think it was at 5 overall. Since they've drafted Abdul Carter, they traded for Brian Burns. And the reason I bring up Thibodeau is because we know how much the Cowboys front office likes to come back to their pre draft grades.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

And our guy, Katie Drummond over at Cowboys Wire did a really good job of zooming in on Jerry Jones when he was showing the draft board after that 2022 draft. And the Cowboys had Kayvon Thibodeau as their number one player in that class. It would not shock me if they go back to their pre draft evaluation and try to buy low on him.

[Fanatics Promo Announcer]

Yeah.

[Landon McCool]

And you know, like, it wouldn't obviously we've seen in division trades before, the Cowboys have executed a couple even recently with the Eagles. And. And so it wouldn't be absolutely shocking now. I think Thibodeau is like, he's obviously been really up and down and there's a reason that he's the odd man out here. I think as, as the years kind of wore on a little bit, he played a little bit better football. But obviously there were huge expectations. I mean, honestly, it's not unlike what what they are experiencing with Andre Carter to some degree. Right. So it is interesting that he would be available because to me, having those three defensive, those pass rushers kind of has been a real benefit for them. But if he is available, I think, you know, it's, it comes with a, you know, a caveat, boredom of its own because he has been kind of up and down with the Giants and, and the question still remains, like what, you know, does. Is it simply a trade and then let's wait and see. Let's see how you, you kind of play things out or is it a trade and then we're immediately signing a contract? Because I think it's tough to kind of evaluate what is what a resigning contract would look like for a guy like that.

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, and the reason why he might be available, he would be playing on the fifth year option this year and it's like 14 and a half million, which is probably too much considering what he's done in the NFL. And maybe the Giants would rather have. I don't know how this trade would work. It would be, it would be difficult. But he's, he is somebody that I could see being dealt with at some point this off season.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, again, the Cowboys have a need here and he does have talent. It's just about getting him to, getting him to play with it consistently and maybe they can unlock something the Giants haven't. But, but it's, it's, it's a lot of risk, but at the cow. But the Cowboys need to take moves like this. You know, they, they have a lot that they have to improve. So in order to do that, you're gonna have to take some swings and win in some areas where other people aren't. And so this, this could be one of those.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, that is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making Locked on Cowboys your first listen every single day. We also have bonus episodes coming out now every day, Monday through Friday, 10 minute shows. We're going to talk about George Pickens and some of the expectations that we have with his contract and the franchise tag. So make sure you guys are on the lookout for that. And if you never miss an episode, the every dater club is built for you. Get locked on Cowboys ad free members only discord access and so much more. Head over to lockdown cowboys.supercast.com to join the club. And for those of you on video, we can send you the first ever 24. 7 national NBA YouTube channel. And on audio, make your second listen the locked on NFL Draft podcast. Follow Landon on Twitter @mccoolbcb I'm @marcus Underscore Moser and we'll see you right back here tomorrow.

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