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Dallas pass rush

Will Gregory help? Couldn't hurt

The NFL conditionally reinstated Randy Gregory from suspension yesterday. You're probably familiar with the name, as he's a former second-round pick out of Nebraska who had 16.5 sacks in just 23 college games. But you may also be wondering what the fuss is, considering his nondescript NFL career (just 1 sack in 14 career games).

But although he's missed nearly all of the last two seasons due to violations of the league's substance abuse policy, he's clean now. And teams recognize the importance of a strong pass rush, something Dallas really hasn't had for quite a while.

Over the last six seasons, the Cowboys have ranked 20th or worse in sacks four times; no higher than 13th in any of them. Only five teams have fewer sacks than they do over that timeframe.

TEAM SACKS, 2012-2017
Team121314151617Tot
Carolina396040444750280
LA Rams525340413148265
Denver524141524233261
Green Bay474441434037252
New England374840493442250
Minnesota444141434137247
Pittsburgh373433483856246
Arizona384735364837241
Tennessee393639394043236
Baltimore374049373141235
Seattle364437374239235
Buffalo365754213927234
Cincinnati514320423341230
Kansas City274746472831226
Philadelphia303749373438225
Chicago413139353742225
Washington323637383842223
Houston443238453132222
Jacksonville203145363355220
Miami424239313330217
New Orleans304934313042216
Detroit343342422635212
NY Jets304145392728210
LA Chargers383526323543209
Indianapolis324241353325208
San Francisco383836283330203
Dallas343428313638201
NY Giants333447233527199
Cleveland384031292634198
Tampa Bay273536383822196
Oakland253822382531179
Atlanta293222193439175

But note that Dallas has made a climb toward respectability the last two years, with 36 and 38 sacks. A lot of that is due to defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (pictured), who will play this season under the franchise tag. If Gregory, despite nearly two years off, can show flashes of the pass rusher he was in college, sprinkle him in on passing downs across from Lawrence, and who knows? Maybe a climb into the top 10 is possible.

I don't think anyone should be overly interested in Dallas in fantasy drafts. But I'm willing to keep an open mind on potential contributions from Gregory. He's 25 years old and there's some talent there. If he can show something in the preseason, the Cowboys' patience could pay off.

--Andy Richardson

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