IRVING, Texas – After seeing four significant contributors to the 2014 defense leave via free agency, the Dallas Cowboys were able to retain one with Nick Hayden agreeing to a one-year deal.

Hayden has started the last 32 games at defensive tackle for the Cowboys. He led the defensive line with 52 tackles, according to the coaches’ breakdown. He also had four tackles for loss, eight quarterback pressures and two pass deflections.

The Cowboys had lost Justin Durant to the Atlanta Falcons and Bruce Carter, Henry Melton and Sterling Moore to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The coaching staff likes Hayden’s workmanlike approach, but they could look to upgrade in the draft or have Terrell McClain play a larger role in 2015.