The Dallas Cowboys have so many question marks going into the offseason. Fortunately, Brian Schottenheimer already seems to have established an identity for the offense.
It is clear that Schottenheimer wants to run the damn ball. Hiring Klayton Adams as offensive coordinator and Conor Riley as offensive line coach all but confirm that Dallas wants to be more physical and lean on the run game to make life easier for Dak Prescott.
There are more questions on offense that Schottenheimer must answer, but the defensive side is arguably more concerning from a personnel standpoint.
Re-signing Osa Odighizuwa should be the front office’s top priority this offseason. However, Matt Eberflus’ unit also has holes at cornerback, linebacker and edge rusher. Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson aren’t getting any younger so you can make a strong argument that safety belongs in that conversation as well.
As far as linebacker is concerned, though, an immediate solution is suddenly available for Dallas following a trade request that has stunned the NFL landscape.
Cowboys should trade for Bengals LB Germaine Pratt after shocking trade request
Bengals veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt has requested a trade following a turbulent year in Cincinnati, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport notes that Pratt was close to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, whom the Bengals fired after the season.
Anarumo was quickly scooped up by the Colts to fill their DC vacancy. It stands to reason that Anarumo will look to reunite with his longtime linebacker, but the trade request opens the floor to every linebacker-needy team to strike a deal with the Bengals.
Enter the Cowboys.
After tearing multiple ligaments in his knee, DeMarvion Overshown is expected to be out until late November at the absolute earliest.
Eric Kendricks is also a free agent. While Kendricks had a strong season, it is fair to question if that was a byproduct of his comfortability in Mike Zimmer’s scheme. Kendricks’ 2023 tape with the Chargers was not great and he will turn 33 later this month.
As currently constructed, Marist Liufau and Damone Clark are the only healthy linebackers on the roster who have NFL experience. Clark could have a renaissance with Eberflus taking over but he was reduced to a special teams player last season under Zimmer.
Long story short, Dallas needs to add multiple linebackers this offseason.
A third-round pick in 2019, Pratt is only 28 years old. While outspoken, he’s a leader in the locker room and wore the green dot as Cincinnati’s field general. He’s started at least 15 games in every season and is fresh off tallying 143 tackles, two interceptions and 53 defensive stops, which ranked seventh among linebackers, per Pro Football Focus.
Pratt can get picked on in coverage, but he holds his own, as evidenced by his six passes defended and two interceptions last season. He’s at his best coming downhill pursuing ball-carriers. The Cowboys sorely need another LB in the second level who fits that profile.
A day three pick likely gets the job done and Dallas has a wealth of them, including four fifth-round picks and two sixths.
What’s not to like?
