Buffalo Bills Reportedly Interested in Defensive End Jack Crawford
By Paul Taylor
The Buffalo Bills are apparently one of up to five teams showing interest in Jack Crawford, but is he really worth pursuing?
The Buffalo Bills need to show some significant improvement on defense next season, if they are to have a genuine chance of finally ending the longest current playoff drought in the NFL. (In case you’re wondering, they’re still eight years away from tying the longest drought in NFL history.)
Rex Ryan was brought in to use his so-called expertise as a defensive guru on a unit ranked fourth-best in 2014, for both yards and points allowed. However, his two years in charge saw the defense regress, perhaps best highlighted by losing five games last season, when the offense scored 24 or more points.
Thankfully for Bills’ fans, Ryan is now gone, but there is still work to be done to restore the defense to its previous position as one of the league’s best. While the talent remains — for the most part — they will need to upgrade the overall depth.
In that respect, the latest speculation indicates the Bills are considering free agent Jack Crawford as an option. As reported by Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, the Bills are apparently one of up to five teams interested in the defensive end.
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Crawford is instantly recognizable, due to his appearance. He suffers from a rare disease called alopecia universalis, which causes the total loss of all body hair.
The question is, what kind of impact can the 28-year potentially bring to Buffalo? He is coming off his first season as a regular starter in the NFL, as he recorded 3.5 sacks and 25 total tackles for the Dallas Cowboys.
However, despite starting 11 games, it could be perceived as a necessity for the Cowboys, who had one of the less impressive defensive lines in the NFL during the 2016 season. Further, as reported by Rotoworld, Crawford was ranked 50th out of 53 qualifying players by Pro Football Focus, for his pass rush and run defense skills.
Regardless, the London, England native will still receive offers. Apart from the Bills, Cole noted interest from the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars, while also advising there was a chance he could return to the Cowboys.
Crawford was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders, after attending Penn State University. He was a two-time All-Big Ten Honorable-mention, who has accumulated 9.5 sacks, 72 total tackles and one forced fumble in five seasons with the Raiders and Cowboys.
Overall, it’s fair to say the 2008 Big Ten Champion isn’t one of the more intriguing possibilities out there. However, he could add experienced depth to the Bills’ D-line, while also coming at a very reasonable price.
Next: Decision Day Fast Approaching for the Bills
What’s your position regarding Crawford? Are you interested in seeing him in Buffalo next season, or would you prefer the Bills give him a miss? Share your thoughts in the comments section.