If you didn't approve of the Eric Kendricks signing, well, shame on you.
A lot was made about the Dallas Cowboys' inactive offseason. While they ended it with a bang by locking up Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb for the next five years with blockbuster extensions, they bypassed numerous opportunities to improve the roster.
Granted, the Cowboys' roster was already stacked going into March, but the running back position and interior defensive line left a lot to be desired. Fans wanted the front office to show a similar aggression to how it reshaped the offensive line and linebacker position.
While the offensive line held up well in Week 1 given the opposition, fans witnessed the best linebacker play from a Dallas defense in years. DeMarvion Overshown looked like a star in the making and Damone Clark was one of the highest-graded players on defense.
However, it was the impact of vet Eric Kendricks that stood out the most. Stolen from under the 49ers' nose in free agency, Kendricks played like an All-Pro against the Browns. He already looks like a genius signing and the move looks even better after longtime Cowboys target Bobby Wagner had a nightmarish debut with Dan Quinn's Commanders.
Cowboys absolutely nailed signing LB Eric Kendricks in free agency
Wagner went viral for looking completely lost on a designed screen from the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield bamboozled Wagner by rolling out to his right before hitting running back Rachaad White in the left flat with a cavalcade of blockers in front of him.
The Bucs only had one player on the right side: wide receiver Chris Godwin, who was very obviously tasked with blocking. It wasn't until White was full steam ahead upfield before Wagner recognized it was a screen. You can watch the gaffe behind this link.
Cowboys fans long viewed Wagner as the solution to their linebacker woes. Wagner even admitted this offseason that Dan Quinn tried to sign him in 2022 and 2023, but Dallas didn't meet Wagner's asking price. The Cowboys clearly dodged a bullet because Wagner has not been good for at least two years.
Kendricks, on the other hand, was robbed of NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished with nine tackles, two sacks, a 100% pressure rate, three defensive stops, one interception and one reception allowed on four targets in coverage. He became the first Cowboy in 37 years and third overall in franchise history to record two sacks and an interception in the same game.
Beyond the box score, Kendricks' processing was the best from a Cowboys linebacker since the great Sean Lee. He did a great job shedding and taking on blocks and his awareness in coverage prevented Deshaun Watson from targeting the middle of the field.
Sure, it's only one game and Dallas faced a struggling quarterback, but Kendricks is a monster upgrade from what the team had in the middle last season. The same could not be said had the Cowboys signed Wagner, who is thankfully Quinn's problem in Washington.
