<\/p>\n
The Dallas Cowboys have showed a concerted effort to address the defensive line in the 2025 free agency period.<\/p>\n
The team has signed a mix of players with former first-round NFL Draft pedigrees and past ties to the organization or metro area. Those include Payton Turner, Solomon Thomas, and Dante Fowler Jr.<\/p>\n
Dallas was fourth-worst in the NFL last season giving up 2,331 yards on the ground at an average of 4.8 yards a carry.<\/p>\n
With how the Cowboys defense was in defending the run, they shouldn’t be done making moves to improve the interior.<\/p>\n
One name that could help this cause is Miami Dolphins veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell.<\/p>\n
Campbell, 38, is one of the NFL’s oldest journeyman … but you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at his stats.<\/p>\n
With the Dolphins on a one-year contract in 2024, Campbell was able to play all 17 games and record 52 tackles and 5 sacks.<\/p>\n
He was also graded in the top-10 of all defensive lineman by PFF in defense grade and run defense on that stout Dolphins front.<\/p>\n
The numbers are impressive, but Dallas could actually gain more from a Campbell signing than just his on-field production.<\/p>\n
His age will put him on the low end of the market, which saves money (you know Jerry Jones is listening now). His last contract was just a $2 million cap hit.<\/p>\n
The 6-8, 300-pound Campbell can run-stop, thus filling Dallas’ 1 trouble spot on D – but he also has 110 career sacks.<\/p>\n
We say he would also be a huge help to the maturity of the unit – particularly Mazi Smith.<\/p>\n
A 17-year vet in Mazi’s corner could be a turning point in his professionalism, setting up the Cowboys with a future of Smith and Osa Odighizuwa that looks a lot better than it has in years past.<\/p>\n
Dallas won’t be asking Campbell to be the anchor of the D-line for more than one year.<\/p>\n
Yes, they’ll need his production during that time … but a signing like this does more wonders for culture-setting under new leader Brian Schottenheimer.<\/p>\n
It shores up the defensive interior with a reliable force, brings a respected leader with valuable experience into a young locker room, and provides a spark to Cowboys Nation … which is waiting for something to push them to a full “bought-in” mentality.<\/p>\n
There’s a lot of time before Dallas also potentially targets a defensive lineman in the NFL Draft, but if they want a quick depth fix, look no further than Calais Campbell.<\/p>\n
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