Dallas would be foolish to let this player sign elsewhere.
It is not hyperbole to call this the most aggressive Dallas Cowboys offseason in years. Despite that, the roster still has holes at multiple key positions. Fortunately for Jerry Jones, veterans are dropping like flies before NFL teams open mandatory minicamp this week.
The Packers released star cornerback Jaire Alexander on Monday. Cornerback is arguably Dallas' biggest need right now, but Alexander has missed 20 games over the last two seasons due to injuries.
We'll know soon enough if the Cowboys are interested in Alexander. In the meantime, they were handed a gift at linebacker after the Bengals released longtime starter Germaine Pratt.
Cowboys should sign Germaine Pratt after Bengals release
A team captain with the Bengals, Pratt has started 88 games in six seasons and never played fewer than 15 games in a season since he was drafted in 2019. He's not the most athletic linebacker, but the Cowboys have more than enough athleticism in their LB room.
What they lack is a veteran presence and Pratt was a centerpiece on Bengals teams that made a Super Bowl and AFC Championship game in consecutive seasons in 2021 and '22.
Trade acquisition Kenneth Murray is the currently the elder statesman at 26 years old, and he has a lot of warts in his game to clean up. Cowboys fans are hopeful linebacker whisperer Matt Eberflus can bring out the best in Murray, who has all the physical tools to succeed.
Eberflus doesn't play a lot of three-LB sets. With budding star DeMarvion Overhsown not expected back until Thanksgiving as he continues his knee rehab, Marist Liufau and Jack Sanborn are the early favorites to start.
Former fifth-round pick Damone Clark is seemingly authoring a comeback story under Eberflus after he fell out of favor under Mike Zimmer last season. But again, any contributions Dallas gets from Clark from him this year should be viewed as gravy.
Pratt made a habit of coming up with big plays for the Bengals. He's a high character guy whose leadership ability aligns perfectly with the culture Brian Schottenheimer is attempting to cultivate in his first year as head coach.
He'll have a market, so Dallas will need to act fast.
