7 Linebacker additions to help with Cowboys with the home stretch

The debate was settled when Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons effectively told everyone that he would be crowding the line of scrimmage, instead of the Twitter-induced idea of playing off-the-ball linebacker. Parsons leads or is near the top in almost every statistical category yet the knee-jerk reaction to switching positions set the world on fire after a poor run-defense game against Buffalo.

With Parsons cemented as a pass rusher, it still doesn’t solve the Cowboys issue at their thinning linebacker group. The return of Cowboys defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins from a high ankle sprain would certainly help but he didn’t suit up against Miami and is questionable a week later for the tilt against Detroit.

Dallas entered the season light at the position and made some head-scratching moves that placed them in the spot they are in now. To supplement the lack of depth, the Cowboys utilized safeties to help stabilize their issues. While it may be easy for some to just say “go get a guy,” the guys available may come with issues of their own.

Permanent Elevation

Linebacker Malik Jefferson is a former Texas Longhorn in his fifth season after being selected by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.  Jefferson currently resides on the Cowboys practice squad but can no longer be elevated since the team used his final call-up in week six against the Los Angeles Chargers – a week after losing linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.

The Cowboys could elevate him to the 53-man roster but would require someone else to be moved to make room for him. Dallas could attempt to try and have their cake and eat it too.

Once the playoffs begin, all practice squad elevations reset and Jefferson could once again be called up to play in the postseason. If that is the plan, Dallas could sign someone else and merely wait on Jefferson essentially creating two linebackers with one roster spot.

Super Bowl Starter

If you are the type who doesn’t want the hear the phrase “we like our guys” echo out of Frisco, but what about guys in the state of Texas? If so, I present to you free agent linebacker Cory Littleton. The eight-year veteran has experience playing both inside and out checking the versatility box for Dallas.

Littleton was cut by Houston, then signed to the practice squad in New Orleans, only to be poached again by Houston to help with injuries. Once Houston got healthy, they released Littleton who has been looking for work ever since.

Late-season additions rarely generate the type of impact fans have come to expect yet Littleton, a former Pro Bowler, started in Super Bowl LIII with the then, Jared Goff-led Rams. That experience behind the current Cowboys starters could yield positive results and at the very least, provide valuable depth.

Unretire?

While some people may have wanted a Sean Lee mention, the linebacker I am referring to  is former Ravens middle linebacker Josh Bynes. The undersized linebacker played alongside Ravens Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed in Baltimore. Those learning opportunities allowed him to have a very good 12-year career.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, Bynes decided to retire on December 8th. It is not unheard of for a team to lure a player out of retirement but the situation in Dallas may not be conducive to a return, especially this late in the season.

If he does return, Dallas would get a bona-fide player with a wealth of knowledge. While he may have slowed down due to age and injuries, players througout the NFL are dealing with some kind of ailment. Unlikely, sure, but these are the kinds of rocks you must flip for help at this time of the season.

Poach Game -Steelers

Linebacker Myles Jack has often been linked to the Cowboys even if only the fans were clamoring for it. During the 2016 NFL draft, many people second-guessed the Cowboys for selecting injured Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, who is also available, over versatile UCLA linebacker and part-time running back Myles Jack.

Jack was ready to move on from the NFL before NFL teams came calling. He currently sits on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice quad and a jump to Dallas would ensure a postseason run. Jack started 13 games for the Steelers last season who finished as the ninth-best run defense. He has yet to play this season.

As Jack prepares for his first game this season, it may be beneficial for teams like Dallas to watch what he puts on film to see if he could possibly be of use for them. This is especially true for players who have no links to the Cowboys.

The very athletic Jack is still only 28 years old and could perhaps enjoy a career rejuvination playing in a Dan Quinn led defense. Although on the shoter side, his 255-pound frame could be a useful bump in the middle for Dallas.

Poach game - Minnesota

Linebacker Anthony Barr certainly knows his way around Dallas. A return to this city and scheme would be seamless as Barr played with the Cowboys last season starting ten games and recording 58 combined tackles.

Barr is currently on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad and has been activated twice for them this season. Much like the Myles Jack situation, a practice squad to practice squad jump is prohibited unless the owning team releases or waives the player.

If Dallas wants to add Barr, signing him to the 53-man roster would be the only way to do so.

The Unknown

It would be a wise assumption to think the Cowboys have a list of players they would bring to Dallas in case of an emergency. While some well known players may be on said list, there could be a few name that aren’t as popular as others.

As team building throughout the NFL varies, depth charts around the league are sometimes affected by personnel and not performance. San Francisco seems to have great depth along their linebacker core so a player like linebacker Curtis Robinson could be affected not by his play, but by the numbers game.

Baltimore is equally impressive in the linebacker department so an unheralded player such as practice squad linebacker Josh Ross could be the move.

Filling in roster spaces this time of year requires a bit of outside the box thinking. Even then, there are no guarantees that the move will work out for you. In addition, the corresponding move could backfire like it has in previous years. Dallas played the roster spot game earlier in the season and linebacker Devin Harper is now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Going out and getting a guy is easy to say yet the task of finding players is a daunting one.

Story originally appeared on Cowboys Wire