IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys already had a major need at pass-rusher even before news that DeMarcus Lawrence is facing a four-game suspension.

Speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Tuesday, executive vice president Stephen Jones called it the team’s biggest need entering the draft. The Cowboys signed Cedric Thornton and Benson Mayowa in free agency and they have six combined career sacks. The Cowboys re-signed Jack Crawford, he has six career sacks.

The Cowboys have not made an attempt to re-sign Greg Hardy and the Lawrence news will not sway their opinion on Hardy, who had six sacks last season.

But will it sway what the Cowboys do in the draft?

The Cowboys would be without Lawrence, who had a team-best eight sacks last season, and Randy Gregory for the first four games of the season. Gregory was also suspended for violating the substance-abuse policy.

That both players find themselves in such trouble after just two years (Lawrence) and one year (Gregory) is disconcerting. That they will miss the first four games this year, a quarter of the season, is potentially disastrous for a defense not long on pass-rushers.

But do the Cowboys make a five-year decision with a first rounder for a four-game penalty?

They should.

The Cowboys will always be looking over their shoulders with Lawrence and Gregory until -- or if -- they make it out of the substance- abuse and performance-enhancing programs. It’s hard to build for the long term when you know another failed test leads to a longer suspension for either player.

The Cowboys have signed linebacker Rolando McClain to one-year deals the last two years in part because he has run afoul of the league’s substance abuse policy.

Drafting Joey Bosa at No. 4 overall has always made sense for the Cowboys. In three years at Ohio State he had more than 20 sacks. He might not possess the elite athleticism that teams want in a right defensive end, but he can be a fixture type along the defensive front.

Scouts laud his ability to use his hands as a pass-rusher, which is something younger players struggle with. Scouts laud his work ethic.

The trades made by the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles take quarterback out of play for the Cowboys at No. 4. Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey could be available when the Cowboys pick at No. 4 with Bosa. The Cowboys have a major cornerback need as well and Ramsey has been a popular pick among those with mock drafts.

But should there be worry about just three career interceptions?

The best defenses pressure the quarterback. Cornerbacks benefit more from pass rush than a pass-rusher benefits from solid coverage.

And if the Cowboys take Bosa, they shouldn’t shouldn’t stop looking at a pass-rusher either. It’s conceivable they could take two pass-rushers in the draft that could contribute immediately. Why not? Clemson’s Kevin Dodd could be a second-round option. There will be other chances later.

The Cowboys needed pass-rushers before Lawrence’s latest violation. They will need pass-rushers after as well.