Why The Dallas Cowboys Should Swipe Jeremy Maclin
By Erik Lambert
On the surface it may seem unusual to push the Dallas Cowboys towards signing newly released wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.
His release from the Kansas City Chiefs came as a bit of a shock. He’s only 29-years old and had over 1,000 yards in 2015. Last season saw a regression due largely to a nagging groin injury. There’s no reason to think that will last. He missed all of 2013 with injury before returning in 2014 to make the Pro Bowl. Coming back big from these types of setbacks is something he knows how to do. So why should the Cowboys have any interest?
After all they were able to retain Terrance Williams on a new four-year contract and also drafted Ryan Switzer in the 4th round this past spring. On paper it looks like their receiving corps is in pretty good shape. Well there are a couple reason why this is in their best interests.
Keeps him away from Philadelphia
This is priority #1. The last thing Dallas wants is for their hated rival Philadelphia Eagles to get any help this upcoming season. It’s clear their young quarterback Carson Wentz was already re-armed well with Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. Try to imagine if a healthy Maclin were thrown into that mix. It’s certainly not something the Cowboys secondary would enjoy dealing with. By signing him first, they block that from happening.
He’s better than Williams
This is going to sound a bit harsh but the truth can hurt sometimes. Maclin is a better football player than Terrance Williams. Their numbers were virtually identical last season and Williams wasn’t playing hurt. For his career, Williams is averaging 43.6 yards per game. Maclin is averaging 62.7. Keeping in mind he was the #2 guy quite often opposite Desean Jackson. Dallas can’t let favoritism getting in the way of an opportunity to get better.
They can afford it
For the first time in years the Cowboys can feel much more comfortable with their salary cap situation. The retirement of Tony Romo freed up a ton of extra space at upwards of $20 million. The team currently sits at just over $16 million in available room. That’s more that enough to afford even a rich asking price by Maclin and his camp. Sure, having the money doesn’t always mean spend it but in this case they can and should.