NFC Rival Could Exchange For A Run-Stuffer Heavyweight

NFC Rival Could Exchange For A Run-Stuffer Heavyweight

NFC Rival This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys could make a deal for Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, a run-stuffer at heavyweight. With the NFL Draft behind them, the Cowboys may bolster their roster with more experienced players. After holding off on selecting a defensive tackle until the seventh round of this year’s draft, they might decide to add Hurst. Restoring the run defense—which they already have a strong pass defense for—is one of the team’s main goals.

Stopping the run and red zone drives was the Cowboys defense’s weak point under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. But before this fall, they could pull off a deal to strengthen their defense and add a seasoned player to the team. Each game, the Cowboys gave up 112.35 rushing yards.
The Cowboys allowed 112.35 rushing yards per game during the 2023 campaign while surrendering 14 rushing touchdowns. According to NFL Analyst Dustin Mosher, he suggests that the defensive lineman could be an ideal trade target to watch for the Dallas Cowboys.

Hurst would provide veteran stability to a young group while contributing quality snaps in obvious run-downs. The Cowboys weren’t able to add veteran defensive pieces other than Eric Kendricks so this trade would make sense. This could open up conversations about Calais Campbell possibly coming in to sign with the team on a cheap one-year deal. One NFL insider seems to think that he is the best available free agent for the Dallas Cowboys to acquire for their defense.

However, the Browns may be looking to move on since the defensive group looks to be packed. The defensive group consists of Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris and incoming second-round pick Michael Hall Jr., so they could view him as expendable. The Browns could look to get some draft capital like a fifth-round pick from the Cowboys if the trade happens.

Hurst might be a useful addition to the Cowboys’ interior pass-rush group, which was weak in the previous campaign. Against the run defense, several of the opposing running backs have been able to slip through gaps and gain significant yardage. Hurst’s addition, though, might offer some excellent assistance up front to stop that. In addition to his two sacks, he recorded eighteen quarterback pressures and an overall grade of 81 last season, per Pro Football Focus.

Before sustaining a season-ending injury, the Michigan product had an outstanding 2023 campaign, recording 22 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception in 13 games.

Despite the loaded front, Hurst was able to play a crucial role in finishing the 2023 campaign allowing a league-low 270.2 total yards per game and the league’s 11th-stingiest rushing defense. It would help the Cowboys who are already thin at the defense tackle position with Chauncey Golston, Osa Odighizuwa, Carl Davis Jr. and Mazi Smith.

Dallas has enough cap space and draft capital to make a trade happen. According to Spotrac, the Cowboys have just $5.72 million in cap space. Hurst could have a huge upside for Dallas if he returns healthy and returns to dominant form. Here are other potential team trade fits for the Michigan product.

Hurst appears to be joining Za’Darius Smith on a one-year contract return to the Browns. This does not exclude a deal from occurring, though. The New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens are two teams that Hurst may make sense to join. The seasoned addition could benefit Justin Madubuike, as the Ravens lost Jadeveon Clowney in this year’s free agency. The Ravens are searching for a proven player who can provide a spark for the squad, since Clowney left to join the Panthers.

It would also make sense for the Saints, who need a replacement for Khristian Boyd, who was chosen in this year’s draft. Boyd’s prospective talent would be accommodated by Hurst’s veteran upside.

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