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Four sacks could lead to bigger payday for Benson Mayowa

FRISCO, Texas – With the Dallas Cowboys looking for pass-rushing help in 2017, one of their most-overlooked possibilities is their 2016 sack leader, Benson Mayowa.

Mayowa had six sacks in 13 games last season, his first with the Cowboys, who signed him as a restricted free agent.

If Mayowa can record four sacks this season then he could stand to prosper in 2018.

According to Mayowa’s contract, the final year of the deal will void if he records 10 sacks in the first two seasons of the deal.

Mayowa also could void the final year of the deal if he plays an average of 60 percent of the snaps in 2016 and ’17, but since he played in only 36 percent of the snaps last year, he would need to almost never come off the field in 2017 to reach the average.

A year ago, Maliek Collins played the highest percentage of snaps along the defensive line at 61.9 percent.

Mayowa was the first restricted free agent the Cowboys ever signed after spending his rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks and 2014 and ’15 with the Oakland Raiders, where he recorded two sacks. He received a three-year deal from the Cowboys worth $8.25 million that included a $3.3 million signing bonus.

If he can produce another solid season he could find himself in line for a decent payday considering how teams cherish pass-rushers. He will be just 26 when he hits the free-agent market next March if he is able to void the last year.

Mayowa was limited in his work this spring because of a knee injury. In two preseason games, he recorded three tackles and a tackle for loss in 35 snaps.

“When he's practiced and played he's done a nice job,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He was productive for us last year. Again, he plays the right way. He's got a relentless spirit about him to go with his quickness, explosiveness as a pass-rusher."