The Dallas Cowboys added Marshawn Kneeland back to the NFL Draft. After a great training camp and preseason, Kneeland will be first team behind DeMarcus Lawrence and All-Pro Micah Parsons. The Cowboys brought in veteran Carl Lawson, who was initially waived but returned to the practice squad. But Dallas could use more juice on the rim. Looking ahead to the free agent market, there is an interesting name the Cowboys are considering as a tight end candidate: Yannick Ngakue. A third-round pick in 2016, Ngakou spent four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was named to the Pro Bowl after his best season in 2017, recording 12 sacks and leading the NFL with six forced fumbles. Ngakue was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in August 2020 after requesting a trade. Two months later, he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. Ngakue appeared in 15 games between the two teams, recording eight sacks.
Ngakue played the 2021 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, making 10 sacks and starting all 17 games. A year later with the Indianapolis Colts, Ngakue recorded another 9.5 sacks in 15 games. In 2023, Ngakue played for the Chicago Bears, starting 13 games and recording four sacks before breaking his ankle. Despite the recent turmoil around the league, Ngakue has the ability to be a valuable part of the rotation as he enters his ninth year. Although not a good defender, Ngakue can keep up with the defender. Last season was the first time he failed to record at least eight sacks.
If the Cowboys bring him back, he could fill the role that Dante Fowler played the past two seasons in Dallas, averaging over 300 snaps on the year and recording 10 total sacks. In today’s NFL, no team can have enough pass rushers. Ngakue is the type of player the organization will want to use as the season approaches. The Cowboys would do well to at least get a phone call.
