Latest news with #DanteFowler
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Signing 10-Year Edge Rusher Pitched As Dan Quinn Move
Commanders Signing 10-Year Edge Rusher Pitched As Dan Quinn Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. If there is one position group - one major issue - that the Washington Commanders must address before the start of the regular season, it's their need for a quality edge rusher. Advertisement Dante Fowler Jr. and Jonathan Allen's departures have left a gaping hole in Washington's defensive line, which has yet to be addressed through free agency, just as it wasn't via the 2025 NFL Draft. But there's a long way to go before the season kicks off, and there are still plenty of options for Washington to target. Bleacher Report writer Matt Holder thinks 10-year veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith would be an excellent fit for the Commanders. "The Commanders are striving to take advantage of Jayden Daniels' rookie contract by adding veterans to push for a Lombardi Trophy," Holder said. "However, Dante Fowler, who led the team in 10.5 sacks last year, returned to the Dallas Cowboys during free agency. Advertisement "So, the Commanders' defense could use a pass-rusher to help replace that production." Smith is a three-time Pro Bowler and even received All-Pro honors in 2020. He may not be the player he once was with the Green Bay Packers or Baltimore Ravens - he will be 33 in September - but he can still rush the passer at a high rate. That is something Washington is desperate for. Fowler, now with the Dallas Cowboys, was the lone player on Washington's defense to finish the season with over 10 sacks. They enjoyed career years from other players like Frankie Luvu, but we bet coach Dan Quinn knows they need to find a more dependable performer who they can rely on throughout an entire season. Advertisement Smith could be that player. Related: Giants' Malik Nabers Talks 'Smack' About Commanders Instant Rivalry Related: Commanders Urged to Sign Three-Time Pro Bowler to Add To Dan Quinn's Defense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys could replace Micah Parsons with SEC star pass rusher
One of the biggest storylines of the NFL offseason is the status of Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons's contract negotiations. Parsons is entering the final year of his deal, and as of now, there is no new contract in place for the Pro Bowl pass rusher. Advertisement The Cowboys are known for waiting until the last minute to finalize a contract, so there is a chance Parsons will secure a new deal; however, there is also a chance he may not be on the team next year. If Parsons is playing elsewhere in 2026, then the Cowboys will need a new pass rusher, and Matt Miller from ESPN has Dallas taking Auburn's edge rusher Keldric Faulk in a new 2026 NFL Mock Draft. "The Cowboys enter the season still needing to sign Micah Parsons to a long-term extension. While they signed Dante Fowler Jr. this offseason, Dallas needs more on the edge after passing on the position in the 2025 draft," Miller wrote. "At 6-foot-6, 288 pounds, Faulk is a versatile player who can play along the defensive line, from 3-technique to a true outside edge. He can generate pressure from inside and out, as evidenced by his 24 edge pressures and five interior pressures last season. Faulk's size and strength would be fun to pair with Parsons' speed." Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp Faulk has eight sacks in 25 college games, and seven of them came last season, so he will likely build off that success this year. If Dallas is looking to move off of Parsons, then Faulk could be an excellent option for the team More NFL: Cowboys-Steelers trade idea brings former draft target to Dallas
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider Reveals Commanders Plans For Upgrade In Key Area
Insider Reveals Commanders Plans For Upgrade In Key Area originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders have very few concerns offensively heading into next season. Assuming they eventually come to terms with Terry McLaurin, they will have the league's best young quarterback surrounded by a dynamic receiving corps, a strong running game and talented offensive line. Advertisement Washington showed they could put up points in a flurry down the stretch against some quality competition as well. Further establishing themselves as a contender requires head coach Dan Quinn to execute system even better this season. Those who follow Quinn know he places an emphasis on rushing the passer. The problem for Washington? Their sacks leader from a year ago, Dante Fowler Jr., left in free agency to join the Cowboys. Fowler posted 10.5 sacks last year, at least five more than any primary pass rusher on the roster had last season. Frankie Luvu did have eight though the defense hopes to generate more production from their front four. Theoretically, that requires a trade. But even a team as aggressive as the Commanders in their talent acquisition is not ready to pull the trigger. Instead, The Athletic's Ben Standig has revealed they intend to see how their current newcomers and returners look at training camp. Advertisement "Does Washington add help on the edge by the start of training camp? My sense after these workouts is … no, and not solely because of those at defensive end. The organization wants a longer look at how new big men Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Eddie Goldman mesh with holdovers Daron Payne, Dorance Armstrong and 2024 second-rounder Johnny Newton in training camp." Standig notes there are plenty of physical traits that would indicate improvement, but the lack of tangible results to refer back to presents a concern. "The group is more physically imposing, at a minimum. Still, it's fair to wonder if this group has enough to help the defensive ranking improve this season. For now, the vibe is wait and see." Perhaps the patience will pay off while the Commanders already have McLaurin's extension still to figure out ahead of training camp. Whomever rises from this group, Washington must ensure production from this area of the defense. Advertisement Related: Commanders Trade for Trey Hendrickson Idea Gets Final Pre-Camp Update Related: Commanders Owner Makes $500K Investment in Jayden Daniels This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys' Top 5 All-Time Free Agents
Cowboys' Top 5 All-Time Free Agents originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Two ways to look at Dallas Cowboys' free agency this offseason: 1. The bad: While two-time Pro Bowl performer Jaire Alexander signed with the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys settled for the Green Bay Packers' "other" cornerback — Robert Rochell — who has bounced around five teams in four seasons. Advertisement 2. The good: Their class is an improvement over 2024, which was highlighted by underwhelming linebacker Eddie Kendricks. Relatively speaking, Jerry and Stephen Jones were proactive and aggressive in this year's free agency. The Cowboys signed much-needed help at pass rusher with Dante Fowler Jr. and running back with Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams. Those moves, of course, supplemented trades for No. 2 receiver George Pickens and backup quarterback Joe Milton. We're not suggesting a class also aided by defensive tackle Solomon Thomas and receiver Parris Campbell will be Dallas' best ever, but it's a step in the right direction of positive player acquisition. Unless we're missing something, however, none of the signees will crack the list of the Cowboys' Top 5 all-time free-agent signings: Advertisement 5. Leonard Davis, 2007 – Right guard started all 16 games, made the Pro Bowl, second-team All-Pro and helped a record-setting offense lead Dallas to a 13-3 record before making two more Pro Bowls. 4. Terrell Owens, 2006 – Despite an icy relationship with Bill Parcells, his production on the field was undeniable to the tune of three 1,000-yard receiving seasons and double-digit touchdowns. 3. Jay Novacek, 1990 – A converted H-back from the Arizona Cardinals, the "Plan B free agent'' made five Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls as Troy Aikman's security blanket. 2. Nate Newton, 1986 – Signed after his time as a Tampa Bay Bandit when the USFL folded, he battled his weight and finally arrived to help anchor one of the best offensive lines in NFL history while making six Pro Bowls, winning three Super Bowl rings and annually paving the way for all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith. Advertisement 1. Deion Sanders, 1995 – If you can't beat 'em, steal 'em. After losing to him and the San Francisco 49ers in the '94 NFC Championship Game, the Cowboys signed him and won the ensuing Super Bowl as he blanketed receivers, returned punts and even caught passes on offense. In five years in Dallas he lived up to the hype, making four Pro Bowls, recording 14 interceptions and scoring eight touchdowns on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Related: Cowboys Sign Packers Ex Cornerback as Free Agent Related: Cowboys Sign Two Free Agents and Cut Two from Roster This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What's one move the Commanders should make before training camp?
The Washington Commanders are finished with free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. While free agency never ends, the major moves occurred months ago. Fortunately, help can still be found in free agency for teams with specific needs. Everyone on the outside believes the Commanders need an edge rusher. Washington lost Dante Fowler Jr., who led the team with 10.5 sacks. The Commanders allowed Fowler to walk, knowing he has only reached that number of sacks twice in his 10-year NFL career and struggles against the run. Advertisement Most analysts believed Washington would target an edge rusher early in the draft. Not only did the Commanders not target a pass rusher early, but they also didn't choose one with any of their five selections. Could it be that general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn like their current crop of edge rushers more than those on the outside? Or, perhaps, Peters and Quinn want to see the current group throughout OTAs, minicamp, and/or training camp before choosing to sign a veteran. The good news is that there are some options available. Veteran pass rushers Von Miller, Za'Darius Smith and Jadeveon Clowney are the top pass rushers available. Bleacher Report recently named one move every NFL team should make before the end of the offseason. That move for Washington is signing Clowney. Last season, Dante Fowler Jr. led Washington in sacks with 10.5. In free agency, he signed with his former team, the Cowboys. The Commanders have tried to shore up the defensive end position, signing Deatrich Wise and Jacob Martin. They can continue to stockpile veterans to bolster their pass-rushing committee. At 32, Clowney can be productive in a rotational role. Last year, he recorded 46 tackles, nine for loss, 5.5 sacks and 22 pressures while on the field for 64 percent of the defensive snaps. Deatrich Wise was brought in to help solidify the run defense. Jacob Martin is more of a reserve edge rusher. Clowney makes the most sense of the veteran pass rushers that the Commanders could sign. He is solid against the run, still gets to the quarterback and offers the most upside of the available pass rushers. Advertisement Should Washington make this move? Well, that's up to Peters, but Clowney would be a logical fit, and he is comfortable signing one-year deals, which should make the Commanders happy. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Should the Commanders sign veteran edge rusher?
