Multiple Super Bowl titles. More than 60 sacks. Those are just two of the tangibles that Michael Bennett brings to the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones and Dallas acquired him from the New England Patriots for a conditional 7th round pick, which could become a 6th based on incentives. For the Cowboys, this seems like a genius trade, and it’s not the front office’s first either. Last year, they were 3-5 and traded a first rounder for Amari Cooper. Since joining the team, Dallas is 12-5 and Cooper has 91 catches for 1346 yards and 11 touchdowns. Well worth the first rounder, as Prescott got his go-to receiver. In the spring, Dallas traded a sixth rounder to the Miami Dolphins for Robert Quinn. Quinn is having a career resurgence with 6 sacks, 7 quarterback hits and 11 tackles. So where does Bennett fit in?
Figuring out Where Michael Bennett Fits in With the Dallas Cowboys
Living on the Edge
Bennett should be a seamless fit with the Cowboys as he can play any position along the defensive line. His best fit is as a defensive end or edge rusher, but he can also play a 3-technique defensive tackle on passing downs. Bennett has only played 30% of his normal snaps, but has tallied 2.5 sacks this year. He found himself on the outside looking in once New England went from 4-3 back to a 3-4 defense.
Now with the Cowboys, Bennett will play alongside Quinn, and DeMarcus Lawrence, two of the league’s best pass rushers. He is also reunited with his former Seattle coordinator Kris Richard. Richard and Rod Marinelli share defensive responsibility, with Richard handling the linebackers and defensive backs while Marinelli handles the defensive line. With Richard in Seattle, Bennett recorded 39 sacks and won Super Bowl XLVIII.
Veteran Presence
Michael Bennett has been through the ups and downs of the NFL for 11 years now. The Cowboys went and got him because he can help replace Tyrone Crawford who had hip surgery. Dallas also likes him because he’s a “war daddy” who knows how to win in the trenches. The Cowboys also hope he can be a leader in the locker room as a battle tested veteran. Bennett should make an immediate difference, especially with the Cowboys on their bye week.
Dallas has made another move in hopes of bolstering their roster for a Super Bowl run. They face the New York Giants on Monday Night Football the week after their bye and continue their season from there.
