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The Dallas Cowboys have been bargain shoppers so far in free agency, and that trend continues with the latest player they agreed to terms with, linebacker Jasper Brinkley. The Cowboys have lost linebackers Justin Durant and Bruce Carter to free agency, and they signed Keith Rivers. Brinkley will be added to the mix along with veterans Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens.
The agreement is for a two-year deal and will be come official if Brinkley passes his physical. He started 11 games at middle linebacker for the Vikings in 2014 and is generally classified as a two-down player, a run-stopper. The Cowboys have a decision to make about middle linebacker. They are talking to Rolando McClain about returning, allowing Sean Lee to move to the weak side. The Cowboys could still move Lee if they don't re-sign McClain depending on how they view Brinkley. He's played most of his career with the Vikings since being drafted in the fifth round out of South Carolina in 2009.
Brinkley has only been a regular starter in two out of his six years in the league, and last season signed for the league minimum in Minnesota. That pedigree would lead you to believe he's strictly a depth signing. But, his PFF grade for 2014 was pretty good, ranking 16th among middle linebackers and receiving a +2.5. So, depending on how he fits in, maybe he could make a play for a starter's role if McClain isn't back. In comparison, McClain ranked 8th with +13.9.