Cowboys interested in Shaun Ellis?

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Josh Ellis

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

Ellis has started every game he has played in since 2001.

(Editor's Note: With NFL free agency still to come, the Cowboys' roster remains very much unfinished. In this summer series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of the veterans who could wind up in Dallas before the season begins. Today's featured player is Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis.)

Name: Shaun Ellis

Position: Defensive End

College: Tennessee

Height/Weight: 6-5/290

Age: 33

NFL Experience: 11 seasons

Availability: An unrestricted free agent after 11 seasons in New York, Ellis is likely willing to give the Jets a hometown discount, especially because the team is so competitive now. Still, he might be offended if their offer doesn't measure up to others he may receive. The Jets have a number of other players they need to re-sign, and already addressed their defensive line in the draft by adding Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson in the first round and Hampton's Kenrick Ellis in the third.

What He Brings: Ellis has the versatility to play either defensive end position in the 3-4 and can move inside on passing downs. And though he shouldn't be relied on to dominate games at age 34 when the season begins, he has proven the last couple years that he can still make plays behind the line of scrimmage and get to the quarterback. He's coming off a five-tackle, 2.0-sack performance in the AFC Divisional Playoff upset over New England.

Connections: While Ellis hasn't played under any member of the Cowboys coaching staff, Rex Ryan, the brother of the team's new defensive coordinator and the Jets head coach, should be able to lend an informed opinion. With 11 years of experience, and 10 straight as a starter, Ellis would offer the kind of veteran presence and savvy that the Cowboys sought when they re-signed nose tackle Jason Ferguson, a former Jets teammate, in 2005.

Where Would He Fit: Given his seniority, Ellis would likely be given the chance to start for the Cowboys, who would probably only have a place for him if they weren't able to re-sign more than one of their own three defensive ends who could be unrestricted free agents, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher or Marcus Spears. Still, it's hard not to see Ellis as an upgrade at the position, as his three-down ability might even be appealing enough to squeeze out Igor Olshansky, who underwhelmed in his second season with the club.