Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that Cowboys DE Randy Gregory‘s recent four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy could actually give free agent DE Greg Hardy some leverage with the team.
This is, of course, assuming that the Cowboys would even want Hardy back after a problem-filled 2015 season.
Hardy had limited interest last year before signing an incentive-based contract with the Cowboys. The Buccaneers had some interest in him, but the Cowboys managed to get a deal done with him before things picked up with Tampa Bay.
While Hardy was still an effective pass-rusher in 2015, he may not be worth any further problems.
Florio believes the Cowboys should at least consider the idea of drafting an edge rusher at No. 4 overall instead of a quarterback.
Hardy, 27, signed a one-year contract worth $11.3 million with the Cowboys that included weekly bonuses as a way to protect the team from him missing a number of games. The contract also included another $1.8044 million sack-based incentives.
In 2015, Hardy appeared in 12 games and recorded 35 tackles, six sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a pass defense for the Cowboys. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 17 defensive end out of 48 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2016 Free Agents list.
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