Damien Wilson was expected to take on an increased role on defense for the Dallas Cowboys this season, but unfortunately that doesn’t look as if it’s going to happen now after his recent arrest. But, that could now open what seemed to be a closed door for the Cowboys to add linebacker Daryl Washington.
The Dallas Cowboys kind of find themselves in a precarious situation after the recent arrest of Damien Wilson. Wilson is likely looking at a lengthy suspension, which would be a big hit to the depth the Cowboys currently have at the linebacker position.
Wilson was looking to be the favorite to start at the SAM linebacker position when the season got underway, but now the Cowboys will have to explore other options. Unfortunately, the options seem to be somewhat limited according to what the Cowboys currently have on the roster.
Kyle Wilber would likely be the starting SAM LB if the season was to start today, but he is really best suited as a backup and core special-teams player. The next logical option would probably be Mark Nzeocha, but he has mostly been practicing at middle linebacker. Nearly all of the other LBs don’t really fit the criteria the Cowboys seem to like in their strong side linebackers.
So, the Dallas Cowboys could decide to look outside their current roster and possibly set their sights on the talented, yet troubled LB Daryl Washington.
Daryl Washington has been very openly pleading his case to become a member of the Dallas Cowboys this off-season after he was reinstated by the NFL back in April. Unfortunately, it seems to have fallen on deaf ears so far. But, that doesn’t mean Cowboys’ fans haven’t noticed and expressed their interest in bringing him to Dallas.
Washington would without a doubt be an upgrade over Damien Wilson and would make the Cowboys’ linebackers all that much more talented. In his four years starting at MLB for the Arizona Cardinals, Washington accumulated 394 combined tackles, 6 INT’s, 3 forced fumbles, and an amazing 18 QB sacks. But, despite the talent, there are quite a few red flags.
Daryl Washington first felt the wrath from the NFL in 2013 when he was suspended four games for violating the substance abuse policy. The NFL brought the hammer down once again in 2014 by suspending him an entire season because he violated these substance abuse policy for a second time. He has been out of the NFL ever since until his recent reinstatement.
Unfortunately, those substance abuse suspensions aren’t the worst of his red flags. In May 2013, Washington was arrested on two counts of aggravated assault in Phoenix, Arizona. The incident was over a custody battle involving his ex-girlfriend, who he shares a daughter with.
It was reported that Washington pushed her down with both hands and the result was a broken collarbone for his ex-girlfriend. He ended up pleading guilty to the accusations in March of 2014 and was subsequently sentenced to a one-year supervised probation.
Daryl Washington’s red flags should without a doubt be a concern, especially for the Dallas Cowboys. They have had their fair share of trouble players who have let them down, which could mean he may not be even a consideration to replace Damien Wilson. But, never say never.
Don’t see Washington as a SAM. If anything, he’s more of a WILL or a MIKE at the most. However, if Wilson is going be lost for extended time, he could be a useful backup and much in the same mold as Justin Durant.
I agree. Washington is much better suited to play MLB, but he has the size and athleticism to play SAM. He would definitely give the Cowboys more options because he could probably start at any LB position. The only concern is his past history and his time away from the game.
I think we all know Washington isn’t going to be the solution. I think they will stand pat with what they have until and if Wilson comes back from suspension. If not I think Zach Orr is the guy we should look at
Randy I tend to agree with you about Washington, but Zach Orr is too small to be a SAM LB. He’s listed at just 225 lbs and that’s too small to play outside LB in a 4-3 defense. I would love to have him for depth at MLB and WLB though.
I guess I should have clarified. Of course you can’t read my mind. I am not sure Jaylon Smith is going to be ready to play every down at MLB so I would like to see Orr at MLB and move Kyle Wilber to Sam if Wilson is going to miss significant playing time. We know Dallas doesn’t give up on their guys very quickly so I don’t think Wilson is going anywhere.
Randy, I agree with you. Orr would provide valuable depth behind Hitchens or Lee if Smith isn’t ready to go. And, I agree with you about Smith. Training camp is going to be big for him to determine just how ready he is.
It really couldn’t hurt to sign Daryl Washington to a 1 year contract to show what he can do, and to see if he is still the same player he was in Arizona. I think this could be a good thing in the long run. We all know he can rush the QB so I would give him a shot. Honestly I think Damien Wilson will be released for this incident.
Corey, the Cowboys might not even be considering Washington because of his past history. I’m personally on the fence about adding him. I would be okay with whatever the Cowboys decided to do. It is intriguing to speculate what he might be able to do after so much time away from the game though.
Bring him on don’t need to read the whole article Cowboys should look at him sign him n let him play what do they have to lose nothing really, Damien Wilson is not going to play anytime soon that’s 4sure. Thanks
Thanks for commenting Emilio. There are quite a few Cowboys fans that would agree with you. I’m a little bit on the fence because of all of Washington’s past red flags, but I do this a lot like the situation that brought Rolando McClain to the Cowboys a few seasons ago. There’s certainly a need to address the LB position and Washington is arguably the best free agent
He’s the first name that popped into my mind when the news about Wilson came out. That being said, would the Cowboys be willing to take the PR hit by adding a guy like that.
I’ve wondered a bit about Jaylon Smith playing SAM. I know in College Notre Dame used him to rush the passer from the EDGE at times and so it makes me wonder if he would have the strength to set the edge in the run game.
Otherwise, it seems like we are looking at Wilber or Hitchens at SLB.
John, Jaylon Smith first has to prove himself healthy enough to take on blockers before he can even be considered playing anywhere. I don’t have him a part of the equation right now because of that fact. I also view the Cowboys adding Daryl Washington a lot like the situation that brought Rolando McClain to Dallas. Both players had plenty of red flags, but the lack of depth at the LB position kind of forced their hand. I don’t think they will make a move anytime soon because I think they will wait and see what they currently have on the roster. But, I wouldn’t rule out Washington just yet
Absolutely no doubt on Jaylon. Can’t even bet on him suiting up for the team in 2017.
What looked like to be a strength on the team now looks like the weakness of the defense.