Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys CEO: Randy Gregory's suspension impacts team's approach

Published Feb. 23, 2016 4:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Vincent Frank

The Dallas Cowboys seemingly had a young pass rusher set to make a huge impact as a sophomore in 2016.

And while 2015 second-round pick Randy Gregory could still do just that, his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy will definitely make it more difficult.

Acknowledging that the team’s off-season plans might have changed due to said suspension, Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones had this to say:

Couple Gregory’s suspension with the fact that Greg Hardy is likely done in Dallas, and the team definitely has a need at the defensive end position.

Add in the fact that both Jeremy Mincey and Jack Crawford are slated to become free agents, and this takes on a whole new meaning.

The bad news first.

Dallas is just $9.4 million under the cap right now, a number that will change with the likely release of Brandon Carr and a contract restructure for Tony Romo. Though, it’s unreasonable to believe the team will be able to add a top-end pass rusher like Jason Pierre-Paul.

This leaves the draft as the likeliest avenue for Dallas to pursue a pass rusher. With the fourth pick in the first round, it’s quite possible that Ohio State’s Joey Bosa and Clemson’s Shaq Lawson will be on the board.

With needs on both sides of the ball, it will be interesting to see if this is an area that the Cowboys will look to improve early in the draft.

Jones’ comments seem to suggest that the team will definitely look to do just that.

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