The Dallas Cowboys have not been selectively aggressive to start free agency. Maybe they're waiting for the official start of the new league year on Wednesday to shift gears, but their moves so far can only be described as familiarly disappointing.
Losing Jourdan Lewis has left the cornerback room in dire straits. The Cowboys would be smart to sign multiple veterans so they don't have to force a CB with the No. 12 pick in the draft.
Linebacker is another glaring weakness. While Dallas hasn't lost Eric Kendricks yet, the depth is a real problem. DeMarvion Overshown could be out until December and Damone Clark is on the roster bubble. A linebacker will be in play during the draft, but, like cornerback, bodies are desperately needed.
Well, an opportunity has presented itself for Dallas to steal one of the more versatile linebackers in the league from the Giants.
Giants' Chris Board signing opens door for Cowboys to steal Isaiah Simmons
The Giants have signed veteran linebacker and special teams ace Chris Board to a two-year deal worth up to $6 million, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Board has never had more than 30 tackles in a season, but he played well in a depth role for the Ravens last season, posting a 75.9 coverage grade that ranked 12th among 189 linebackers, per PFF. It stands to reason Board will continue to see an uptick in defensive snaps with the Giants.
That could mean New York won't be re-signing Isaiah Simmons, who has bounced around the league after he was drafted No. 8 overall in 2020.
Simmons had a rough two seasons with the Giants, but Wink Martindale got solid use out of him in 2023. He played all 17 games despite arriving two weeks before the start of the season and compiled 50 tackles, 16 defensive stops and a 82.7 coverage grade on over 200 coverage snaps.
Simmons looked to have found a stable home with New York but his role was cut in half under new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen last season. Assuming he isn't back in East Rutherford, the 29-year-old will be working with his fourth DC in as many years.
Signing Simmons would be a gamble and he wouldn't alleviate all of our concerns about the LB position. However, he could wear many hats for Dallas other than linebacker.
He has experience in the nickel, has played over 500 special teams snaps in his career and has 150 snaps between free safety and outside corner.
Simmons should not be the team's primary LB target, but he would plug a hole. Board joining the Giants has certainly opened that door for the Cowboys.
