When the Dallas Cowboys signed free agent pass rusher Greg Hardy earlier this offseason, they knew he was facing a league suspension. When it was initially handed down as 10 games, it seemed unlikely to be a factor for fantasy teams, but now things look a little better.

Hardy's suspension has been slashed all the way down to four games, meaning he'll be eligible to play in Week 5 -- just like the also-suspended inside linebacker Rolando McClain. And suddenly the Dallas defense, which didn't even merit top-15 consideration when we published the magazine, has a fantasy pulse.

In Hardy's last two full seasons in Carolina, he had 11 and 15 sacks. Carolina averaged 50 sacks in those two years, with 39 in 2012 and a whopping 60 in 2013. That wasn't all Hardy, but he'll definitely help the Dallas pass rush.

The Cowboys have posted 34, 34 and 28 sacks the last three seasons, ranking no higher than 20th in that category in any of those years. If Hardy indeed plays 12 games, a climb into the 40-sack range is in reason. Dallas could yet post an above-average fantasy defense.

--Andy Richardson