Cowboys free company 2023: A doable reunion of Deion Jones with Dan Quinn

If the Cowboys go for outdoors assist at LB, Deion Jones can be a sensible choice.

• By
  
  LP Cruz
  
• on March 11, 2023 4:00 pm

Final week, the Dallas Cowboys have been arduous at work on the NFL scouting mix. Jerry Jones and firm have been in Indianapolis and acquired a more in-depth have a look at the incoming class of prospects, forward of this yr’s NFL draft. The group met with many draft hopefuls at a number of totally different positions. Nevertheless, if you have a look at who they’ve met with on the mix, there’s one fascinating bit of data.

Out of their confirmed forty conferences on the mix, the group met with only a few linebackers. For a group that’s been recognized to take a position so closely in linebackers, that ought to seize your consideration. It must also function an indicator that the membership will probably search for assist in that space in free company extra so than by means of the NFL draft.

Because it stands, Leighton Vander Esch is about to enter free company and isn’t a lock to return. It’s been reported that Vander Esch and the Cowboys aren’t near coming to an settlement for a brand new deal. If Vander Esch isn’t retained and the Cowboys search outdoors sources, search for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to name an previous buddy for assist.

Deion Jones

Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports activities

Pos: Linebacker

NFL Exp: 8 yrs.

Deion Jones has been on the radar of many Cowboys followers for a while. After working a sub 4.4 40-yard sprint at LSU’s professional day in 2016, followers salivated over the prospects of including Jones to the Dallas protection. They in the end opted to take Jaylon Smith that yr with the thirty fourth decide whereas Jones fell 18 spots later to Atlanta.

Virtually instantly Jones turned a premier participant in Quinn’s protection. He totaled 246 tackles, six interceptions, and one journey to the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons. By that point, Jones earned a popularity as a speedy, playmaking protection linebacker.

In a shocking transfer, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns final season within the closing yr of his contract together with a seventh-round decide. The commerce turned just a few heads as a result of Jones was nonetheless a productive participant on the time of the commerce. Although Jones has struggled sporadically with accidents, together with final season, he’s been principally wholesome all through his NFL profession.

Nevertheless, final season was simply the worst of Jones’ profession. He joined a Browns group that had one of many league’s worst run defenses and was a part-time contributor in 2022. Jones’ market will probably not be vigorous as it will have been had he come off a wholesome and productive season. For that cause, it’s cheap to imagine Jones received’t critically be linked to signing with a brand new group till the second or third wave of free company, if not later. It might be a state of affairs similar to Anthony Barr, the place Jones sits on the free-agent shelf for some time earlier than the Cowboys come calling.

If Jones have been to check in Dallas, he may serve a job as a part-time participant in Dallas as he did in Cleveland. At finest, Jones may return to the shape from earlier in his profession and at worst, be a mentor to the 2 former LSU Tigers linebackers presently on the group, Damone Clark and Jabril Cox. As for total value, the longer Jones sits out there in free company, the extra reasonably priced he’ll develop into for the Cowboys.

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