The Dallas Cowboys have signed WR James Washington and DE Dante Fowler Jr to one-year deals. Lets take a look at the Cowboys latest free agent signings.

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Dante Fowler Scouting Report:

Height: 6’3

Weight: 267lbs

Combine 40 Yard Dash Time: 4.61

Career Stats: 91 Games Played, 35 Sacks, 59 QB hits, 44 Tackles for Loss, 137 Solo Tackles, 5 Forced fumbles

Analysis: Dante Fowler Jr was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 3rd overall pick in 2015. His rookie season ended before it began when he tore his ACL. Luckily for Fowler though, he has remained healthy for the remainder of his career. He has had moments where he shined with the LA Rams and Atlanta Falcons. His best season came in 2019 when he totaled 11.5 sacks along with 16 QB hits. Was this a product of playing with Aaron Donald and that Rams defensive line? Probably, because the closest he has gotten to 11.5 sacks was 8 in 2017. Dante Fowler Jr played under Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in Atlanta.

This is your typical Cowboys free agency signing. They brought in a highly drafted guy on a cheap 1-year deal. The hope is to get an exceptional return on their investment. I like the signing considering they needed a body at the defensive end position. I think if Fowler can get 5-7 sacks this season, the Cowboys will consider the signing a success.

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James Washington Scouting Report:

Height: 5’11

Weight: 214lbs

Combine 40 Yard Dash Time: 4.54

Career Stats: 

218 Targets, 114 Catches, 1,629 Yards, 14.3 Yards Per Reception, 11 Touchdowns, 52.3 Catch Percentage

Strengths:

• Displayed good body control on deep-ball opportunities.
• Good hands
• Vertical Receiving threat
• Multiple instances of him getting open on double moves.
• Has moments where he plays above the rim (TD vs Green Bay Packers)

Weaknesses:

• Lacks initial speed and twitch with his routes.
• Straight-line speed guy.
• Lack of opportunities hurt his production in PIT.
• Low catch percentage up to this point in his career. (Low: 42.1% / High: 54.5%)
• Never built a rapport with Big Ben in 4 years.
• Eventually buried on the depth chart.

Analysis: The Cowboys added another WR to a depleted room after the departure of Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson. Washington is an average-sized WR that can play on the outside and win on routes down the field. He isn’t going to be a focal point of the offense but will be able to play and make the most of his opportunities down the field. Something just never fit with the Steelers and Washington during his 4 years with the team, his best-receiving yards year came when Big Ben missed 15 games with an injury. In his last season with the team, Washington was pushed down the depth chart and was not granted a ton of opportunities. I expect him to be WR 3 or 4 for the Cowboys in 2022. He doesn’t keep you from drafting a WR at 24 or signing another free agent WR if the price is right. I think if the Cowboys can get a ” 2018 Randall Cobb type year” out of Washington, they will consider this a success.

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