Did Cowboys make a huge mistake letting this veteran leave in 2024 free agency?

When Johnathan Hankins left Dallas in free agency last March, fans weren’t quite sure how to feel about it. On one hand the 32-year-old tackle from Ohio State was one-dimensional and limited. Hankins offered next to nothing as a pass rusher was reduced to a 1-technique role where he principally played the run. In that role he was certainly serviceable, but not a frontline starter or above replacement level.

On the other hand, Hankins was the Cowboys only decent run stopper on their defensive interior. Whether he was starter level or not, he was the No. 1 run stopper in Dallas, and at 325-pounds, capable of anchoring an otherwise light defensive line.

How was he for the Cowboys?

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Hankins was stronger in name recognition than in actual gameplay his last season in Dallas. Perspective was somewhat lost on the Cowboys since they had one of the NFL’s most porous run defenses. Any decently stout player against the run looked like Christmas morning to Cowboys fans.

The reality was Hankins wasn’t great. Graded by Pro Football Focus as the 89^th DT in a field of 130, Hankins was JAG (just a guy), so the Cowboys treated him as such in the offseason.

How has he been in 2024?

Wednesday: Limited |
Thursday: — |
Friday: —

Signed by Seattle on a one-year, $2,050,000 deal, Hankins has played 199 defensive snaps through six weeks. His PFF grade in 2024 is similar to what he averaged in Dallas, looking like an average reserve DT. Based on his contract, the Seahawks are getting a fair return on their investment.

Where would he fit if he stayed in Dallas?

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For as pedestrian as Hankins has looked the last four seasons, he’d still slot in at the top of the pecking order on the Cowboys. Dallas is currently forcing Mazi Smith into the starting 1-tech role, but he’s had a very difficult time living up the demands of the position.

Smith’s draft status may have kept him above Hankins on the depth chart this year, but it’s hard to envision Smith being on the field over Hankins in any critical run situation. At the least Hankins would be a co-starter.

Should the Cowboys regret their decision?

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The Cowboys should regret their handling of the DT position enormously this season. Their neglect has had a negative cascading effect on the entire defense and there’s no reason to think that will change after the bye week.

With that said, re-signing Hankins wasn’t the answer. Seattle signed him to a bigger deal he was playing on in Dallas, and it was clear at that point, his best seasons were behind him. The Cowboys should have signed a number of different DTs over the offseason, but not Hankins.

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders greet fans and sign autographs at The Collection in Oxnard Friday, July 26, 2024, to celebrate the team’s annual return for training camp.