Dallas Cowboys Rumors: ‘Boys Sign RFA Benson Mayowa To Offer Sheet, Interested In Patrick Robinson Which May Mean The End Of Brandon Carr’s Tenure

The Dallas Cowboys really haven’t made a big splash this off-season yet and may not according to Inquisitr, but they sure are trying.

On Friday, ESPN reported that Dallas signed Oakland Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa to an offer sheet that NFL Network’s Rand Gatlin tweeted was a three-year contract.

Details on Mayowa's offer from the #Cowboys:

Signing bonus 2016: $3.3M | $700K base.

2017: $2.5M base.

2018: $2.75M base

— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 18, 2016

One important note on Mayowa's deal with the #Cowboys: 2018 is voidable based on achieved sacks and playing time. Great situation for him.

— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 18, 2016

Oakland has until Wednesday to match the Cowboys offer, which the Raiders are expected to do according to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Mayowa signed the offer sheet while visiting the Cowboys’ Valley Ranch facility after passing his physical. The 24-year old is entering his fourth NFL season after going undrafted out of Idaho in 2013. He didn’t see much action last year as a rotational player for the Raiders, but is seen as someone with potential due to his pass rushing ability. Mayowa registered 16 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a safety in 12 games last year.

Mayowa started his career with the Seattle in 2013, appearing in two games. He has appeared in 30 games overall, which includes three starts, recording two sacks and 32 tackles.

If Oakland decides against matching Dallas’ offer, the Raiders will not receive compensation due to the fact Mayowa was not drafted. The Cowboys have never signed a restricted free agent.

Dallas has a need at defensive end with third-year pro DeMarcus Lawrence, who led the team with eight sacks, recovering from off-season back surgery and the team’s second round selection last year Randy Gregory beginning the season on the NFL’s suspension list. Also, three of the Cowboys’ defensive linemen last year — Greg Hardy, Jeremy Mincey and Jack Crawford – all remain unsigned on the free agent market.

Dallas has already lost out on signing Chris Long and Andre Branch, who signed with New England and Miami, respectively.

The signing of Mayowa to an offer sheet is not the only headlines the Cowboys made yesterday as they reportedly will bring in running back Alfred Morris for a visit on Monday and are working to setup a visit by cornerback Patrick Robinson, per the Dallas Morning News.

Robinson, a top-50 free agent according to Sports Illustrated, played for San Diego last year. The former New Orleans Saints first round selection started 10 of 16 games for the Chargers, netting 49 tackles, eight passes defended, one interception and a forced fumble. He was ranked as the 30^th best cornerback last year by Pro Football Focus, while also being a standout special team’s performer.

San Diego is still interested in re-signing Robinson, who has also drawn the interest of the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Eagles. However, the Giants, Dolphins, and Eagles have made changes to their defensive backfield since expressing interest.

If Robinson visits Dallas, he’d be the third corner to do so since free agency began. Nolan Carroll, who ultimately re-signed with Philadelphia, and long-time Cincinnati Bengal Leon Hall are the other two cornerbacks to visit the Cowboys. Dallas also showed interest in former Green Bay Packer Casey Hayward, who recently signed with the Chargers.

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that if Robinson does choose the Cowboys this time around, it could mean the end of fourth-year pro Brandon Carr’s tenure with the team. Carr, who had 60 tackles last year, has a $13.8 million cap hold for the upcoming season that that Cowboys would like to decrease. The 30-year old has six career interceptions but none since 2013.

Dallas showed interest in Robinson last year, but he decided to go with a one-year, $2 million deal that the Chargers offered.

Dallas has signed several free agents this off-season, but only one from another team, former Philadelphia Eagle defensive tackle Cedric Thomas.

It's official! Lance Dunbar has re-signed to return to the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/QOIEDIezE7

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 18, 2016

[Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images]