NFL Nation

          Cowboys free-agent watch: Jeremy Mincey's return could come after all

          The Dallas Cowboys have 16 players set to become unrestricted free agents in March. In this series, we determine why a player should or should not return in 2016 and beyond.

          Jeremy Mincey

          Position: Defensive end

          Age: 32

          NFL experience: Eight years

          2015 salary: $2 million

          2015 statistics: A year after leading the Cowboys in sacks with six in 2014, Mincey did not have a sack in 2015. The coaches credited him with 19 tackles, 15 quarterback pressures and one tackle for loss in 14 games (six starts).

          Why he will be back: At this point in his career, Mincey is not going to get a contract with a large amount of guaranteed money. He battled through an elbow injury that required offseason surgery. Mincey was unable to straighten his arm for most of the season and as a result had difficulty shedding blockers. In 2014, he became one of the defensive leaders and that is a unit that could use help. The Cowboys have plenty of questions up front with Mincey, Greg Hardy, Nick Hayden and Jack Crawford set to become unrestricted free agents. Hardy is not likely to be back. Crawford could receive a bigger-than-expected contract as a free agent. Mincey also has some position flexibility and can move to defensive tackle in certain situations. But what really might help is the four-game suspension handed down to Randy Gregory.

          Why he will not be back: He is 32 and coming off a year in which he did not record a sack. He was viewed as a bridge player when he signed a two-year deal as a free agent in 2014. The Cowboys have since drafted DeMarcus Lawrence and Gregory in the second round. They also like the potential of David Irving, who was signed off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. As they prepare for the upcoming draft, defensive line figures to be a prominent need, and they could use the fourth overall pick on Joey Bosa.

          Chance to return: Low to moderate. The low cost helps Mincey’s case to return, but his lack of production last year, injury or no injury, hurts his case.

          The series: