A Super Bowl champion defensive lineman could find a home with the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas is lacking depth at defensive tackle as it continues to contend with the loss of starting defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins. According to Sports Illustrated’s Anthony Licciardi, the Cowboys might add depth by signing Sebastian Joseph-Day, who was just cut by the Los Angeles Chargers.
“A surprise: The #Chargers are waiving DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, who has started 14 games, a source said,” Rapoport reported on Friday, December 22. “Would be a potential addition for a playoff team.”
Why was Sebastian Joseph-Day released by the Chargers?
As Rapoport said, Joseph-Day started all 14 games this season, but his departure coincides with the conclusion of the Chargers’ season, with Justin Herbert’s season-ending injury and the firing of previous coach Brandon Staley.
Since his first season in 2019, the 28-year-old defensive tackle has been a starter throughout his career. In actuality, after missing the most of the season due to an injured pectoral muscle, Joseph-Day won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. He did, however, return in time for the Rams’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.
Over the last five seasons, Joseph-Day has started 68 of his 69 career games, totaling 224 tackles, 11 sacks, and 31 quarterback hits. According to Pro Football Focus, the former sixth-round pick has a 59.7 defensive rating and a 64.0 pass-rushing grade in 2023, with 25 total quarterback pressures (15 hurries, seven hits, and three sacks).
Why Should the Cowboys Sign Sebastian Joseph-Day?
Those marks are actually higher than Hankins’ (49.9 defensive grade and 61.2 pass-rushing grade), and Hankins’ total quarterback pressures are only six (three sacks and three hurries).
With the exception of Osa Odighizuwa, Joseph-Day’s evaluations are either an upgrade or a mirror image of the Cowboys’ current defensive tackle rotation.
Given that Hankins could miss the rest of the regular season due to an ankle injury, Joseph-Day, as FanSided’s Joe Summers thinks, could be the ideal alternative.
“Cowboys’ defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is battling an injury that may keep him out for the remainder of the regular season and the perfect potential depth just became available,” Summers said. “While Dallas expects Hankins back soon, adding Joseph-Day is a no-brainer for insurance.”
While the Cowboys are unlikely to claim Joseph-Day off waivers (he would have cost only $720,000 for the rest of the season), they should still sign him.
According to Licciardi, Joseph-Day is a “low-risk option” for the Cowboys.
“But our analysis: Joseph-Day offers the Cowboys a low-risk option for a unit that could certainly use a jolt,” Licciardi writes in his article. “Filling in for Hankins’ role, allowing him to return to his best spot and Hankins to truly get healthy, could pay dividends as Dallas approaches the NFC playoff circuit.”
Given that the Cowboys’ run defense is one of their vulnerabilities — they rank 19th in yards and 18th in yards per attempt — signing a previous champion defensive lineman might benefit Dallas as they pursue a Super Bowl run.
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