David Irving has been secured by the Dallas Cowboys for the 2017 NFL season.

According to ESPN's Todd Archer, the Cowboys offered the 23-year-old defensive lineman a tender worth $615,000 for one season. Had they not extended the tender, Irving would have become an unrestricted free agent on Thursday.

Irving, a former undrafted free agent, is coming off a season in which he recorded four sacks in 15 games (two starts). He also forced four fumbles and defended five passes.

In two seasons with the Cowboys, Irving has shown flashes of potential as a pass rusher. He needs to become a more consistent force in order to establish himself as a player worthy of being a full-time starter.

As an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA), Irving's options are limited. He can either sign the tender and play under the terms of the one-year deal, or he could sit out the 2017 season and sign with another team next offseason. As a young role player trying to make it in the league, there is virtually zero chance of him taking the later route.

This move helps the Cowboys maintain the status quo along their defensive front, but they really need to show some improvement after posting just 28 sacks this past season (tied for 24th in NFL). The top priority for Dallas in free agency and the draft should be to bring in more quality pass rushers.

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