Cowboys could fix linebacker hole with former no. 5 Pick

Cowboys could fix linebacker hole with former no. 5 Pick

The Dallas Cowboys’ main problem in their final game was their inability to halt the Green Bay Packers’ rushing onslaught. If they want to remedy that by 2024,

they’ll most certainly need reinforcements, which is where Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White may come in.

The 26-year-old linebacker is expected to test free agency this offseason.

According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, the 2021 Pro Bowler is a great addition to the Cowboys defense.

    Cowboys could fix linebacker hole with former no. 5 Pick

“Run defense is Dallas’ biggest need, and the Cowboys have a serious lack of linebacker depth,” Knox wrote on January 22.

“Premier off-ball linebackers like [Devin] White and the Baltimore Ravens’ Patrick Queen won’t come cheaply,

but they represent an extremely important commodity that the Cowboys currently lack.”

White has been a well-known figure in Tampa since his arrival in 2019.

He was awarded a second-team All-Pro after playing an important role in the team’s 2020 Lombardi Trophy victory.

However, he has not been given a second contract and will have the opportunity to join a new squad.

Dallas could do far worse than White, but the question is whether the Cowboys can afford him and if their defensive system remains unchanged in 2024.

White’s First Five Years with the Bucs.

Coming out of LSU, White was a promising prospect due to his on-field performance and characteristics.

At the NFL Combine, White had the highest Production Score and second highest Athleticism.

Five years and 75 starts later, all of  projections were on-point.

White made impactful plays throughout his rookie season.

PFR states he caused three fumbles, intercepted one, and scored two touchdowns on fumble recoveries.

The fact that he missed four games makes it even more astounding.

While he forced two less turnovers in 2020, he had nine sacks and 140 tackles.

Throughout his first two years, White shown that he can do almost any linebacker task.

White maintained his high level of production for the next two seasons.

The only red flag appeared in 2023. After poor performances and injury problems,

White was deemed a healthy scratch in Week 15.

He returned to the field the next week and started the rest of the season.

But there is a reason why the Buccaneers haven’t re-signed him (yet.)

What White Would Cost Cowboys

The most significant difficulty with a big brand like White is money.

White was paid $11.7 million in 2023 as part of his rookie deal’s fifth-year option,

and it appears to be the starting point for his next contract, whether with the Bucs, Cowboys, or another team.

In fact, Spotrac predicts him signing a four-year, $80 million contract.

If that’s the case, the Cowboys may be priced out. Dallas is already expected to be $11 million above the salary cap.

Even if they are able to backload a contract for White,

they will need to free up $15-20 million in cap space to make it work.

That being said, forecasts do not represent reality.

The fact that White just had a controversial and lackluster season may lower his contract demands for teams like the Cowboys.

There is undoubtedly a danger in compensating a player following a circumstance like White’s.

However, if all goes as planned, Dallas might benefit greatly.

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