Dallas Cowboys Free Agency 2015: Cowboys To Sign Chargers LB Andrew Gachkar

Per Todd Archer, the Cowboys added another free agent to their roster today:

Cowboys have a deal with linebacker Andrew Gachkar, who was with San Diego last year. He's flying in today. Max of $5.5 million over 2 years

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 15, 2015

The 26-year old Gachkar was a seventh-round pick for the Chargers in 2011, and was a standout special teamer for the Chargers in his first three years in the league. In his first two seasons at San Diego he played under then-Chargers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, who has been the Cowboys’ special teams coordinator since 2013. He also played under then defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus at Missouri from 2007-2008; Eberflus is now the linebackers coach for the Cowboys.

Last season, Gachkar saw a significant increase in playing time due to injuries at the position group and notched 382 plays on defense in addition to 217 plays on special teams. He finished 2014 with 49 tackles and one sack. Gachkar made eight starts in four seasons with San Diego.

PFF gave him a -0.3 grade for the season, which ranks him 28th among the 60 inside linebackers who played at least 25% of their team's defensive snaps.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports identified Gachkar as one of the value players available in free agency.

Mostly used as a special-teams player his first three seasons, he started five games last season and showed the ability to cover ground. I am not saying he's a star in the making, but for the right price -- $2 million per season -- he is worth a look.

Gachkar is the third linebacker the Cowboys have signed (LB Keith Rivers was signed on March 5, Jasper Brinkley on March 12). On paper, that covers the holes left by the departure of Bruce Carter and Justin Durant, though it remains to be seen how much each of the new players will contribute in 2015. Gachkar comes with a stellar special teams pedigree, and his familiarity with Rich Bisaccia (along with the possibility that C.J. Spillman could be lost in free agency) will likely be a plus for him in Dallas, where he'll also be looking to get more snaps on defense in 2015.

There continues to be no news on Rolando McClain, but his status is unlikely to be affected by the recent signings at linebacker.

Proud to announce I'm going to be signing with the @dallascowboys!!! A dream come true and an amazing opportunity for my family and I!!!!

— Andrew Gachkar (@theGACH) March 15, 2015