Cowboys 2021 free agency: Dallas agrees to terms on one-year deal with defensive lineman Brent Urban

The Dallas Cowboys began Thursday with only two outside additions in free agency so far, one on special teams (Jake McQuaide) and one on offense (Ty Nsekhe).

While there is hope that these players will help the Cowboys in their respective units, many have wanted to see the team improve a defense that was among the very worst in the NFL last season. Specifically, Cowboys fans have wanted to see the defensive line and secondary addressed.

Being fair to the whole point, the Cowboys tendered Antwaun Woods which gave them at least one more option at defensive tackle beyond youngsters Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore. Wednesday morning brought with it the news that the team agreed to terms with Carlos Watkins, but they have added another body.

The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with defensive lineman Brent Urban

Carlos Watkins’ deal with the Cowboys was reported to be one-year. It seems that Dallas is sticking to short-term commitments with these players as they have locked in another defensive lineman for a single season, Brent Urban.

PFF did not speak too kindly about Carlos Watkins’ season in 2020, but its evaluation holds up rather well for Urban’s 2020. While the former did not grade higher than any Cowboys interior defender on the defensive scale last season, the latter out-performed them all (not that this is necessarily saying much).

What’s more is that Brent Urban was the 22nd-best interior defender graded by PFF last season altogether. This doesn’t tell the whole story, but he definitely seems to have more promise.

Urban played in all 16 games for the Chicago Bears last season and started in eight of them. We know that the Cowboys aren’t in the business of spending all too much money in free agency, but it appears that they may have found a legitimate bargain here.