IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys have signed one unrestricted free agent (Cedric Thornton) since the New League Year began last week, and now they've signed restricted free agent defensive end Benson Mayowa to an offer sheet.
A three-year NFL veteran, Mayowa spent the last two seasons with the Oakland Raiders. Because he is a restricted free agent, the Raiders have five days to match the Cowboys' offer sheet. Terms were not disclosed; multiple reports say it's for three years and worth over $8 million.
If the Raiders choose not to match, they would not receive draft pick compensation from the Cowboys because Mayowa went undrafted in 2013.
Mayowa has appeared in 30 career games with the Seattle Seahawks and Raiders, including three starts over the last two seasons in Oakland. The Raiders reportedly tendered him a restricted free agent qualifying offer of $1.671 million in early March.
Mayowa has 31 career tackles and two sacks. Listed at 6-3, 240 pounds, the 24-year-old would provide depth for a Cowboys defensive line that currently has only four ends under contract: DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, Ryan Russell and David Irving. Gregory must serve a four-game NFL suspension to start the 2016 regular season.
Teams are permitted to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets through April 22.
Last week the Cowboys signed Thornton, a veteran run-stopping tackle, to a four-year deal to complement Tyrone Crawford in the middle of the line.
