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Dallas Cowboys: Thinning the herd at defensive line

Heading into draft weekend, the Dallas Cowboys had 11 defensive linemen already under contract. Randy Gregory’s return would add another protected player to the total. Most fans were expecting a new defensive tackle and possible edge rusher.

Instead Dallas added two tackles and three ends in the form of rookies. Excluding Gregory, the Cowboys will bring 16 defensive linemen into mini camp. In 2017, the season’s opening 53-man roster carried eight defensive linemen. Last season the unit ballooned to 10, the maximum before overkill harms other positions.

16 (possibly 17) players competing for 10 final roster spots that cover four positions sounds absurd.