Historically, the Dallas Cowboys have been a passenger when it comes to open market activity. After owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he was “doing everything we can” at the beginning of another early offseason for the team, that comment drew scrutiny and speculation. What does “all in” mean? Has anything changed or were these comments just a marketing ploy to drum up fan base?
The NFL raised the salary cap last month, increasing the salary cap for the Cowboys and other teams by $30.6 million from a year ago. They are moving to free up more cap space and other moves could still be made. Will the Cowboys do anything about this other than three major in-house extensions on the horizon? If so, here are some external candidates ( The AthleticThe Cowboys could chase Randy Mueller's top 150 rankings.
He would have been a great fit for Dallas last season. More veteran off-the-ball linebackers are needed this year. He turns 34 in June, but it wasn't until a year later that he was named second-team All-Pro. He played for the Seattle Seahawks last season on a one-year, $5.5 million contract. Could the Cowboys sign him for one year and $4 million? probably. And it seems like a worthwhile move. Dallas' defense needs an experienced field general under center, especially with Leighton Vander Esch's NFL future uncertain. The trio of Wagner, Damone Clark, and DeMarvion Overshawn looks pretty good on paper.
Probably a more affordable option for this position. Kendricks signed a two-year, $13.25 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers last March. He was released last week. The 32-year-old played in 15 of 14 starts last season and recorded 117 tackles, second on the team, and three 1/2 sacks. The biggest reason he's mentioned here is because he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings when Zimmer was their head coach. He currently plays seven seasons as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. That included his All-Pro season in 2019. If Zimmer believes Kendricks has more power, this pairing makes a lot of sense.
Eric Kendricks had 117 tackles last season, marking his eighth consecutive year with 100 or more tackles. (Talk Mason/USA Today)
He also fits the bill as a veteran linebacker who can be a leader for a young group. Jewell, 29, was a fourth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018. He has been a starter the past four seasons and has recorded over 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons. He signed a two-year, $11 million contract extension in March 2022. The Cowboys need off-the-ball linebacker help, which could come in the draft. However, Clark and Overshawn already have young players at 23 years old, and adding a veteran seems like a good idea.
It's highly unlikely that the Cowboys were realistic about signing him, but Chris Jones would have been the most impactful addition Dallas could acquire from this free agent pool. There's no more “all-in” move than putting Jones in the middle of Mike Zimmer's defense. But Jones re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night. Wilkins may be the next best defensive tackle available. And an upgrade at DT would be a great move, as it's probably the Cowboys' position of greatest need. Wilkins is an excellent run defender, ranking 10th among Interior defensive linemen (500 snaps or more) in run defense last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He was selected 13th overall in the 2019 draft. Since then, Wilkins has started 77 games for the Miami Dolphins, including all games over the past three seasons.
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While acquiring Jones from Kansas City may be a pipe dream, signing a leader may be a more realistic option for the Cowboys to address the needs of their interior defensive line. Rieder is solid against the pass, but it's his play against the run that makes him even more appealing for the Cowboys, who struggled mightily in that department last season, especially in the most important games late in the season. Rieder has had injury concerns, with his 2020 season ending in early October due to a quad injury. He also missed most of the 2022 season with a knee injury, and last year he went down again with a quadriceps injury in Week 15, prematurely ending his season. While not ideal, perhaps these injury issues could help push Reeder's value down a bit into the Cowboys' more comfort zone.
Greenard is fresh off a year in which he led the Houston Texans in sacks (12 1/2) and is only 26 years old, so this is a fantasy target for the Cowboys. A young pass rusher like him is sure to make a lot of money in free agency. Last season, Greenard earned Pro Football Focus grades of 69 or higher in both pass rush and run defense. If the Cowboys want to make the cap work, deviate significantly from their usual strategy and go all-in on one big fish, Greenard could help out the run defense and create a deadly pass-rushing combination with Micah Parsons. may be produced.
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The Cowboys have been familiar with Barkley since the Penn State standout was selected No. 2 overall by the New York Giants in 2018. Barkley is a big name in a position that doesn't require a huge investment, but that doesn't automatically take him out of consideration. For one, the Cowboys are facing a clean slate at running back for the first time since 2016. There is uncertainty as to what their approach will be. The draft is an option and will likely be taken advantage of, but Dallas needs to have a decent prospect in place by April. Barkley has a good relationship with Parsons, a Penn State alumnus, and could potentially make a hire. This status has declined significantly over the years. Unless the market sets a high bar, Berkeley may not have a ton of lucrative options. Could that lead to a matchup against the Cowboys?
In the Giants' two losses to the Cowboys last season, Saquon Barkley ran for 51 and 66 yards, respectively. He totaled 962 rushing yards last season. (Vincent Calchietta/USA Today)
The Cowboys probably won't be the highest bidder, but if Henry is determined to move to Dallas, maybe something can be worked out. With Tony Pollard and Rico Doodle becoming unrestricted free agents, Henry would make sense as the Cowboys' next No. 1 running back. Henry, who recently turned 30, still has gas left in the tank. He played in every game for the Tennessee Titans last season, rushing for over 1,167 yards. The Cowboys would probably want to make the position cheaper and address it in the second or third round of next month's draft, but signing Henry would give them a physical presence in the run game that they lacked last season. you will be able to get.
Laken Tomlinson, G (56)
Tomlinson shouldn't be seen as a grand solution to the holes on the offensive line, but he could be a good veteran addition after being released by the New York Jets a few weeks ago. Tomlinson was a first-round pick in 2015 but struggled last season. It's worth noting that last season's Jets were an all-around dumpster, with one of the worst offensive lines in the league, especially up front, starting 13 combinations. Tomlinson's durability is an asset, having started 114 consecutive games since 2017. If the Cowboys have to shuffle along the offensive line in light of key departures, Tomlinson could give them an option. The Cowboys will be hoping he rediscovers his Pro Bowl-level play in 2021.
The managers were in a position to revamp the roster, and Leno was part of that process. Like Tomlinson, context is important when considering the overall situation in Washington. Last season, the manager had 65 sacks, many of which had to do with the play around Leno and the performance of quarterback Sam Howell. Pro Football Focus assigned Leno three of those 65 sacks. Leno could be an option if the Cowboys lose Tyron Smith. Playing next to Tyler Smith and blocking for a veteran like Dak Prescott in West Coast's version of the offense, Leno could be a solid piece of the puzzle.
(Top photo of DJ Reader: Dylan Buell / Getty Images)
