Cowboys May Select a Bargain Veteran in 2024 to Replace Two Free Agent DTs: “Perfect Fit”
The Dallas Cowboys may soon have to make an offseason replacement for a crucial starter.
The Cowboys might be the perfect destination for defensive tackle Shelby Harris of the Cleveland Browns, as stated by Matt Holder of Bleacher Report.
Holder suggests that the Cowboys could consider the 32-year-old veteran because of his inexpensive salary and the fact that two of their key defensive tackles, starting Jonathan Hankins and backup Neville Gallimore, are set to become free agents.
Holder stated that Harris would make a good addition because he is an experienced veteran of advanced years and shouldn’t fetch a high price on the open market. “Throughout his career, he has played defensive lineman up and down, which could help him serve as the team’s first defensive lineman off the bench.”
Harris currently has a $3.5 million, one-year contract. Harris has never made more than $3.5 million in a single season, with the exception of a $27 million, three-year contract he previously signed with the Broncos.
Harris’s contract valuation with OverTheCap indicates that he is worth $3.1 million.
Over his ten-year career, the veteran has started 67 of 111 games. Harris, who has played in 39% of Cleveland’s defensive snaps this season, is currently a vital reserve for the Browns. In 13 games this season, including three starts, he has racked up 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Harris has 285 tackles, 54 quarterback hits, and 26 sacks in his career.
This season, Harris has recorded a 71.6 defensive grade and a 73.9 pass-rushing grade, according to Pro Football Focus. In actuality, this is his second-highest pass-rushing grade in his career.
When Harris was at his best, the Denver Broncos in 2018 had a 90.0 defensive grade, and in 2020, the team had an 83.5 pass-rushing grade. Harris’ defensive grade finished 10th among all defensive tackles in the 2018 season and sixth in the 2020 season.
Harris has a higher defensive grade than all Cowboys defensive linemen combined, with the exception of Osa Odighizuwa. Gallimore has a defensive grade of 58.8, while Hankins has a defensive grade of 45.7.
Holder mentioned that the Cowboys will have $13.5 million more than the cap when the offseason begins.
Holder stated, “Dallas will be looking for some depth on the interior defensive line this offseason with the contracts of Jonathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore set to expire.” “However, they also have to be economical in meeting this requirement, since Spotrac projects that the ‘Boys will start the offseason approximately $13.5 million over the cap.”
