NFL exec predicts Cowboys will sign star free agent

The Dallas Cowboys have some work to do when it comes to upgrading their roster. They fell short once again of their postseason goals, failing to win during Divisional Weekend for the seventh consecutive time. The last time that the Cowboys made it to Championship Weekend was the 1995 season when they won the Super Bowl.

This offseason, the Cowboys have already made a major change hoping it will help them turn things around. Kellen Moore was not retained as offensive coordinator, as he took his talents across the country and joined the Los Angeles Chargers coaching staff. Mike McCarthy will handle the offensive play-calling for the Cowboys next season.

While the offense did have its struggles during the 2022 season, namely Dak Prescott, there are some holes on the defense that need to be shored up. The Cowboys have a daunting pass rush and some talented players in the secondary, but the interior of their defense is lacking.

The only productive player that the Cowboys had on the interior of their defensive line was Osa Odighizuwa. He recorded four out of their five sacks from the position on the season, and as a whole, the group struggled. Those five sacks ranked 27th in the league and they were 29th in pressures. Dallas defensive tackles had an average grade of 48.1, which was tied for 28th.

Looking to improve that position, a former NFL executive that spoke to NFL Analysis Network believes the Cowboys will make a splash this offseason at defensive tackle. They predict Dallas will go right to the top of the market and sign Daron Payne of the Washington Commanders.

“Jerry (Jones) and the Cowboys are going to be aggressive. They want a big defensive tackle and I think they’ll end up landing Daron Payne. He’s a perfect fit and the interest is mutual.”

Payne would be a huge addition to the interior of the Cowboys’ defense. He would wreak havoc on opposing offenses flanked by Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence rushing the passer. In 2022, Payne set a career-high with 11.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hits.

Another thing that makes Payne a special player is the fact that he is durable. Dallas has struggled at times to find reliable players at the position and the Alabama product would turn that around. In five seasons in the NFL, Payne has played at least 750 snaps in each of them. That is a number no Cowboys defensive tackle has reached in the last three seasons.

Durability and productivity are both key to players finding success in the league and Payne provides both in spades. If the Cowboys are going to make a splash, weakening a division rival in the process would certainly be appealing.