MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Robert Quinn #94 of the Miami Dolphins raises his fist during the National Anthem against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) Dallas Cowboys: What does Randall Cobb have left in the tank? Dallas Cowboys: What does Randall Cobb have left in the tank? by Matt Holleran The Miami Dolphins are currently shopping Robert Quinn. Quinn met with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. What would it mean if the trade goes through? Robert Quinn, defensive end of the Miami Dolphins, is on the trading block. On Tuesday, Quinn met with the Dallas Cowboys. The New Orleans Saints are also inquiring about trading for Quinn. The Cowboys have not solidified a deal with defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who has been designated with the franchise tag. However, signing Quinn would not necessarily mean that Dallas is done negotiating with Lawrence. Ideally, Quinn would set the Cowboys up with a pair of two proven pass rushers. Quinn is a proven veteran who is only 28-years old. The Cowboys would probably not sign Quinn to a long-term deal, but something like one to two years to help make a playoff push. In the last two years, Quinn rallied up 15.0 sacks and 70 total tackles, while only missing one game in that period. He is not even close to Lawrence’s level, but Quinn would be in a perfect situation. Offenses are forced to help out their right tackle against Lawrence, so Quinn would be playing in more favorable looks. Also, this move would allow Dallas to play defensive lineman, Tyrone Crawford, to slide inside and play more snaps. Crawford is a decent defensive end, but a much better defensive tackle. So the “Hot Boyz” would be Lawrence, Quinn, Crawford, and a young Antwaun Woods at the one technique, defensive tackle position. The most important aspect of defense is getting to the quarterback and stopping the run. This front four would allow linebackers Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith to have a field day on most offensive lines. Dallas is still haunted by the loss to the Las Angeles Rams in the playoffs where the defense was obliterated at the line of scrimmage. Adding another solid defensive end who can get to the quarterback and do an adequate job against the run is needed for the defense to take the next step. Especially with defensive end, Randy Gregory suspended independently, pass rusher is a sneaky need for Dallas. Quinn came on for the Dolphins late in the season, and with the help of one of the greatest defensive line coaches in NFL history, he could go for double-digit sacks. Adding another war daddy is always a good idea. The time is now for head coach Jason Garrett, and bringing on Robert Quinn could be a sneaky move that makes the Dallas Cowboys contenders.<doc-sep>Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn is reportedly visiting Dallas, a precursor to a possible trade. The Dolphins have been shopping Quinn, who had 6.5 sacks last season. Quinn has said he fits better into a traditional 4-3 defense, which Miami does not plan to operate this season. General manager Chris Grier has already gotten value for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, including a fourth-round pick, from the Titans. If Grier can secure any value for Quinn, perhaps a fourth rounder, it would be a coup. The Dolphins are obviously looking toward the 2020 draft as a key to their massive makeover. Any assets Miami can acquire could conceivably be used to move up, if necessary, to secure a quarterback of the future. The Dolphins could have cut Quinn last week and moved on without any dead cap. But instead they picked up a roster bonus of more than $1 million, which an acquiring team would not have to pay. This is a bit of creativity from the Dolphins and Grier, who is exhibiting patience and a steady plan. Quinn’s base salary is about $11.8 million, according to Spotrac, which could rank fifth among outside linebackers and top 15 among defensive ends in 2019. In the first four years of his career, Quinn had 45 sacks. But in the past four, that number dropped to 24. Quinn looked impressive in the spring and summer, opposite Cam Wake, but Miami’s pass rush never materialized as hoped and Quinn did not have the promised impact. Quinn was acquired from the Rams before last season for a fourth-round pick. Miami needs to add edge players in free agency and will seriously consider taking one high in April’s NFL Draft. Among the players who might fit are Clelin Ferrell (Clemson) and Rashan Gary (Michigan). For now, the Dolphins' edge rushers include Charles Harris, who has three sacks in 27 career games, Jonathan Woodard, and Florida State product Tank Carradine. Miami Dolphins: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick opens up about free agent decision Schad: 76ers, Browns serve as evidence Miami Dolphins’ apparent tank is smart Schad: Dolphins needed more than quarterback Ryan Tannehill had to give jschad@pbpost.com @schadjoe<doc-sep>The New Orleans Saints are considering all avenues of adding a veteran pass rusher. The team is discussing a trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire defensive end Robert Quinn, per multiple reports. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald first reported that the Saints and Dolphins were in talks, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed it. New Orleans previously hosted Detroit Lions pass rusher Ziggy Ansah on a free agent visit, but they held reservations surrounding his injured shoulder and did not reach a contract agreement. Adding another pass rusher is a big priority for the Saints. Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport are projected to bookend the defensive line in 2019, but the departure of third wheel Alex Okafor to the Kansas City Chiefs created a void that nobody on the roster is ready to fill. The best teams rotate their pass rushers in waves, keeping everyone fresh. Rolling three-deep with Jordan, Davenport and Quinn would be a great move. However, the Saints were beaten to the punch by the Dallas Cowboys. Quinn is currently visiting the Cowboys’ campus before any decision is made with Miami, suggesting the Saints aren’t offering the most valuable trade package. Interestingly, neither the Saints nor the Cowboys have a first round draft pick to offer for Quinn in the 2019 NFL Draft. Quinn is due an $11.8 million salary in 2019, but the Dolphins are reportedly willing to pay part of it to facilitate a trade — their ultimate goal is the acquisition of draft capital as they prepare to punt the upcoming season. With 6.5 sacks and 37 total pressures produced last year, Quinn would offer a serious upgrade to whichever team lands him.<doc-sep>
It appears the Dallas Cowboys are approaching the possibility of a trade for veteran defensive end Robert Quinn from the Miami Dolphins. Given the importance of the front four in this system, the move itself isn’t a surprise. A team can never have enough good pass rushers. However, it’s hard not to feel like there is a greater implication here. Demarcus Lawrence remains their focal point on his second franchise tag. However, the big issue is opposite him. The team should have options but things have suddenly take a rough turn sideways. Randy Gregory is suspended against for substance abuse problems. Tyrone Crawford got in trouble with the police. David Irving has basically retired from the NFL. This is the sort of situation that would’ve seemed ideal for a former 1st round pick to finally step into the limelight. Instead Taco Charlton appears to have been relegated to the bench with this latest pursuit of Quinn. Not the greatest endorsement from the team. Robert Quinn was spotted today on his way to visit the #Cowboys, who are in trade talks with the #Dolphins for the veteran DE, sources say. Quinn would need to agree to any deal. So, this is another step in the process, with a Dallas team that obviously needs pass rush. — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2019 Taco Charlton misfire is looming at the worst possible time It’s hard not to feel discouraged at this point. Charlton looked like such a potential stud coming out of Michigan. Put him under the guidance of Rod Marinelli and there’s no telling what he could accomplish. Yet through 27 career games, he has just four sacks. It certainly doesn’t look good for his future in Dallas. Hence why the team is active in pursuit of Quinn. They need somebody who is at least reliable if no longer a stud opposite Lawrence. Maybe Charlton can still turn things around. He’s only 24-years old so it’s not like the clock is working against him. This is probably the best opportunity he’ll have to seize the moment. The team has basically thrown him a softball with Gregory out of the picture. Quinn will be competition if the Cowboys are able to secure the trade, but not somebody who’s impossible to overcome. This would definitely be a welcome piece of good news for a defense in crisis.