Cowboys Admit ‘Need’ for D-Line Help, Explore Signing DT Linval Joseph: Source

“We gotta find some noses.”

The Dallas Cowboys , led by defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, are talking a good game, and an honest game, when it comes to nose tackle Mazi Smith. He can get better. He will get better. That is essentially the message.

But there's another way for the Dallas defense to improve, and that is to inject it with proven talent ... maybe talent with a connection.

And certainly talent that is Dallas cap-friendly in this "Blow It Up/Remodel'' time.

Joseph's credentials and fit? He's a Mike Zimmer guy from their days together in Minnesota, and was a two-time Pro Bowler when he teamed up with the now-coordinator in Dallas.

Joseph is 35 now, with recent contracts that reflect a natural decline, as last year he joined the Bills on what was essentially a vet-minimum one-year deal worth $1.6 million ... and the year before that was with the Eagles on a cheap one-year, $2 million deal.

He's also got pedigree, the 6-4, 330-pounder having put in 13 NFL seasons after having been a second-round pick in 2010.

And one more thing: with all due respect to 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith, to backup journeyman Carl Davis and to rookie seventh-round long-shot Justin Rogers ... Joseph has accomplished things that whole group combined can barely dream of.

And what did Zimmer say this week from Oxnard? He praised Mazi, mentioned “the young guys” and then said …

“We gotta find some noses (defensive tackles).”

Two notes here: One, this idea - which is being explored, a source tells us, is not reflective of a Mazi failure at camp; Dallas has moved his weight from 290 to 310 and is teaching him to play a traditional nose tackle role, and he's coming along fine.

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And two, Joseph is probably in a place where, if he wishes to sign with an NFL team at all, would likely prefer to skip the training camp grind. So this would be a down-the-line move.

Assuming Zimmer can testify that Joseph still has gas in the tank, this seems like a good idea. And the coach is now saying it out loud.