Cowboys Beefing up Defensive Line With Dontari Poe Will Save Byron Jones-Less Secondary in 2020

The Dallas Cowboys decided that the secondary, affected by the loss of Byron Jones to the Miami Dolphins, could be replaced in the draft, while free agency is the best way to fix their defensive line.

Dallas added another former Pro Bowl tackle to that line when they agreed to a contract with former Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Dontari Poe.

The #Cowboys have agreed to basic terms on a deal for free agent DT Dontari Poe, source said. They are finalizing the language on the deal, but it will get done. Another big-name former #Panthers DT in free agency.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2020

Poe was drafted 11th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. After five years in Kansas City, in which he made a Pro Bowl, Poe played one season with the Atlanta Falcons and two with the Panthers. Last season, in just 11 games, the 346-pound nose tackle recorded 22 tackles and four sacks.

Poe, who has become a bit of an NFL novelty due to his exploits on offense at the goal line, is one of the premier run-stuffers in the league, and he will join a Dallas defensive line that's already one of the best across the entire league even without a player of his space-eating ilk in the center.

Dontari Poe has run for a TD, caught a TD and thrown for a TD in his NFL career pic.twitter.com/4VF9paMiFu
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 25, 2020

The veteran on the interior next to Gerald McCoy prevents the Cowboys from starting the still very raw Trysten Hill while simultaneously giving them one of the most complete defensive lines in all of football. The secondary is an issue, but quarterbacks aren't going to have much time to get rid of the ball with these guys coming for them.