Cowboys' Parker Eyes Dean, Despite Durability Concerns

0:00On March 5th, the Dallas Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker, just came over from the Philadelphia Eagles and fans are buzzing about. Possible reunions with his former players. Two free agents stand out, safety, read blank and ship, a 27-year-old who thrived under Parker and linebacker, Nicobie Dean, a 25-year-old hitting free agency this month. Parker's scheme could really use upgrades in the secondary and linebacker spots. Dean looks like an especially smart-fitted linebacker, where Dallas has struggled for years. He's shown elite smarts and production when playing for Parker and Philly, making him one of the top linebackers available. The Cowboys desperately need reliable talent there to shore up their defense. That said, durability is a huge red flag for Dean. At 5'11 and 231 pounds, he's missed 21 games over the last three seasons, averaging just 10 starts per year as a starter. Pair him with Dallas linebacker Demarvian overshown, who's missed even more time, averaging only six games a year since joining in 20.

1:0523 and you get a high-risk duel. Market estimates put Dean's deal around $7.9 million per year, which seems fair given his upside compared to other recent. Linebacker contracts. Dallas can't afford to bet everything on injury-prone players, but with limited cash, he could be a calculated gamble for reliable play when healthy. As free agency ramps up, the Cowboys face tough choices on whether to chaste that potential or play at safe elsewhere.