Could Cowboys Sign Za’Darius in Free Agency?
FRISCO – The game of “Connect the Dots” is a valuable one when it comes to attempting to create NFL free agency matches. Which team knows which player? Which player likes which team? Is there a coach connection, an agent connection, a hometown connection? It occurs to us that back in March 2022, CowboysSI.com reported that the Dallas Cowboys were interested in Za’Darius Smith … and Smith issued a statement then about his at least relative interest in Dallas. What were the Cowboys trying to accomplish then? An affordable way to “rebound from the Randy Gregory fiasco … with a flirtation with Za’Darius Smith.” as we wrote.
What happened? It was never going to be a $14 million APY flirtation, which is the number sources told CowboysSI.com lured the pass-rusher Smith to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. As it played out, the former Ravens’ fifth-round pick, who made an impression there with 5.5 sacks as a rookie in 2015 before having recorded an 8.5-sack season in 2018, eventually landed with the Browns in a cheap trade. … and last year he was a full-time starter. But in between all of that? He played for the Packers. So, the Packers and the Vikings and he’s a three-time Pro Bowler? Connect the Dots? But alas, his time in Green Bay came after now-Dallas coach Mike McCarthy was in charge there. And his time in Minny came after now-Dallas coordinator Mike Zimmer was in charge there.
So, OK. The “dots” are sketchy. But McCarthy and Zimmer obviously know him. And personnel boss Will McClay certainly liked him … And now, with impending free agency for Cowboys’ defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr., maybe the 6-4, 275-pound Smith, now 31, gets another look? Spotrac estimates his next contract at $12.4 million annually, and we know that is not Dallas’ usual way. But at this “all-in” moment? (Right, Jerry Jones?) Supplementing the pass-rush work of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence with a guy who is both proven – and proven to be a “person of interest” of the Cowboys scouting department
