Pro Football Focus will be providing analysis for every major NFL signing and trade during the 2015 free-agency period, accounting primarily for the quality of the player and his fit with his new team, while focusing less on the financial terms of the deal.
Here is a grade for the Dallas Cowboys' signing of Greg Hardy.
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Dallas Cowboys: A-minus
The Cowboys added a major piece to their defensive line by signing defensive end Hardy to an incentive-laden, one-year contract. Hardy's off-field issues have been well-documented, and that is a risk the Cowboys are taking on by signing him, but we aren't going to factor that into our analysis here -- our focus is just what he brings as a player. On the field, he's a versatile pass-rusher capable of winning either on the outside against tackles or on the inside against guards.
His plus-25.6 PFF grade was second-highest among 4-3 defensive ends in 2013, including a pass-rush grade of plus-19.3 that ranked fourth. He was strong in 2012 as well, as he finished at plus-17.0 overall and plus-14.7 as a rusher. He's more than capable of playing every down, as he has graded positively each of his past two seasons against the run.
Last season's turmoil kept Hardy off the field for all but 57 snaps, but if he's back to form, he'll be a valuable addition for the Cowboys. With DE Jeremy Mincey (plus-11.1 pass rush) on one side and DT Tyrone Crawford (plus-17.3 pass rush) up the middle, Hardy is another factor for which opposing offenses have to consider. Throw in second-year DE DeMarcus Lawrence, who came on strong in the playoffs, combined with Hardy's ability to kick inside on passing downs, and the Cowboys have built a formidable pass-rushing unit.