Time to Move on? - ScaredyWalls's Blog

ScaredyWalls's Blog

Time to Move on?

Posted on August 20, 2023 at 02:02 AM.

Is Now Really Time to Say Goodbye? Why the Cowboys Need to Trade D. Lawrence		URL
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Reason 1: D. Lawrence is aging and injury-prone.	D. Lawrence will turn 32 in April and has missed 14 games in the last two seasons due to various foot and knee issues. He also has a history of PED suspensions, which could affect his availability and performance in the future. Trading him now would allow the Cowboys to get some value for him before his skills decline or he gets hurt again.	Link
Reason 2: D. Lawrence is expensive and not worth his contract.	D. Lawrence signed a three-year, $40 million deal in March 2022, which made him one of the highest-paid defensive ends in the league. However, he has not lived up to his salary, as he only had 6 sacks and 13 QB hits in 20221. His cap hit for 2023 is $21.9 million, which is more than 10% of the Cowboys� projected cap space. Trading him would free up some much-needed cap room for the Cowboys to address other needs or extend their young stars.	Link
Reason 3: D. Lawrence is blocking the development of younger and cheaper players.	The Cowboys have invested several draft picks in their defensive line, such as Micah Parsons, Sam Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, and Chauncey Golston. These players have shown promise and potential, but they need more playing time and opportunities to grow. Trading D. Lawrence would open up more snaps for them and allow them to showcase their talents.	Link
Reason 4: D. Lawrence is not a good fit for Dan Quinn�s defensive scheme.	Dan Quinn prefers fast and versatile defensive linemen who can play multiple positions and techniques. D. Lawrence is more of a traditional 4-3 defensive end who relies on power and leverage. He struggles to play inside or stand up as an outside linebacker. Trading him would allow the Cowboys to find a better fit for their defense who can play in different alignments and situations	Link
[]Reason 5:* D. Lawrence could fetch a good return on the trade market	Despite his flaws, D. Lawrence is still a talented and productive player who can help a contending team that needs a pass rusher. He has two years left on his contract, which makes him more attractive than a rental player. The Cowboys could potentially get a high draft pick or a quality player in exchange for him, which would help them improve their roster and future outlook.	Link

Lawrence is a fan favorite who has been with the Cowboys since he was drafted in 2014. He has been a dominant force on the defensive line, earning two Pro Bowl selections and leading the league in sacks in 2018. He has also been a leader on the field and in the locker room, inspiring his teammates and fans with his passion and dedication.

But as much as it pains me to say this, I think the Cowboys should trade D. Lawrence before the trade deadline this year. And I have some good reasons for it.

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