Cowboys Could Replace 2 Free Agent DTs With Bargain Veteran in 2024: ‘Good Fit’

The Dallas Cowboys may soon have to make an offseason replacement for a crucial starter.

According to Matt Holder of Bleacher Report, defensive tackle Shelby Harris of the Cleveland Browns might be most suited to join the Cowboys.

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 about to become free agents.

Harris would be a good fit in part because he’s an older veteran who shouldn’t command too much money on the open market,” Holder wrote. “On the field, he has experience playing up and down the defensive line throughout his career which could help him serve as the team’s first defensive lineman off of the bench.”

Why the Cowboys Could Consider Signing Shelby Harris

Harris now 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.

Over the course of his career, Harris has 285 tackles, 54 quarterback hits and 26 sacks.

According to Pro Football Focus, Harris has posted a 71.6 defensive grade and 73.9 pass-rushing grade this season. His pass-rushing grade is actually the second-highest of his career.

When he was at his best, Harris led the Denver Broncos in pass rush grade in 2020 (with an 83.5 grade) and defensive grade in 2018 (90.0). Harris’ defensive grade finished 10th among all defensive tackles in the 2018 season and sixth in the 2020 season.

Harris had a higher defensive grade than every Cowboys defensive lineman, including Hankins (45.7 defensive grade) and Gallimore (58.8), with the exception of Osa Odighizuwa.

Why the Cowboys Could Target Bargain Contracts in Free Agency

As noted by Holder, the Cowboys will enter the offseason $13.5 million over the cap.

“With Jonathan Hankins’ and Neville Gallimore’s contracts about to expire, Dallas will be looking for some depth on the interior defensive line this offseason,” Holder wrote. “But they also need to be cost-effective when addressing this need as Spotrac estimates the ‘Boys will begin the offseason about $13.5 million over the cap.”

The 31-year-old Hankins has started all 13 games for the Cowboys this season, posting 26 tackles and three sacks. Over the course of his 11-year career, Hankins has started 133 of 151 games and has posted 402 tackles, 50 quarterback hits and 17.5 sacks.

Hankins is now only making $1.3 million a year, although between the 2017 and 2019 seasons, he played with the Indianapolis Colts for three years, during which time his yearly salary reached $9 million.

The Cowboys could always add Harris, who typically plays on cheaper, budget deals compared to most experienced defensive tackles, if they lose either or both of Hankins and Gallimore in free agency.

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