All 19 Dallas Cowboys free agents led by a surprise frontrunner
In total, the Dallas Cowboys have 21 combined free agents this offseason. Good news is two of them (OT Terence Steele and RB Rico Dowdle) are restricted free agents. As far as the 19 other free agents are concerned, they are unrestricted. Entering the market of NFL talent, some for the first time in their […]
In total, the Dallas Cowboys have 21 combined free agents this offseason. Good news is two of them (OT Terence Steele and RB Rico Dowdle) are restricted free agents.
As far as the 19 other free agents are concerned, they are unrestricted. Entering the market of NFL talent, some for the first time in their careers.
Some on their last legs. Some entering a new market. Few who've gone well above their anticipated market.
The Cowboys Philosophy is to draft and develop their own. When it comes to free agency, they want to retain their players. Primarily the key players to the core of the system.
While they won't be able to keep all their players, it's important to rank and separate all 19. Understanding based on their positions, markets, age, value to the team and overall importance.
19) LS Matt Overton
Overton took over for McQuaide after losing him for the season.
While he mostly filled admirably, there were a handful of instances in which the snaps were off center. Affecting kicks.
Considering McQuaide is returning from injury, has a history with ST coach John Fassel and will be 38 before the start of the season, Overton's services are longer required.
18) LS Jake McQuaide
As stated before, McQuaide is Fassel's guy and the better player.
However, coming off a torn triceps at age 35 doesn't make him an immediate signing. The Dallas Cowboys are currently without a long snapper but unless McQuaide suddenly retires after 12 seasons, expect him back.
17) K Brett Maher
Bad wild card game aside, we need to acknowledge Brett Maher is coming off a career year in his second stint as the Cowboys kicker. But is it his last?
Completing 90.6% of his field goals with a long of 60, and 94.3% of his extra points.
From a season perspective, it makes plenty of sense to retain 'Money' Maher but his performance in the playoffs may have left a sour taste in people's mouths.
16) DB C.J. Goodwin
Goodwin, 33, continues to be one of the Cowboys more reliable special teams players so we shouldn't be shocked if he returns for his fifth season in Dallas.
While Goodwin doesn't do anything spectacular on the field, his reliability has been his best ability. Kelvin Joseph may be in line to take over his role but Goodwin should be back for 2023.
15) LB Anthony Barr
Similar to Keanu Neal in 2021, Barr was brought in to improve the LB depth and provide a veteran presence.
With Micah Parsons as the team's best, the return of Damone Clark off a promising rookie season and the potential return of Leighton Vander Esch (more on that later), Barr's best value was as a pass rusher, rather than an all-around player.
Struggling to cover and often a liability against the run, Barr's best days as a player are behind him.
14) LB Luke Gifford
Gifford falls in line with Goodwin as a great special team's player. Actually taking over as the top player in the role.
Having the most special teams snaps on the team (368), the only way Gifford doesn't return is if the Cowboys believe players like Devin Harper or Markquese Bell are better options at what will be cheaper rates.
13) OL Jason Peters
Peters saved the Dallas Cowboys when they needed him most. Unfortunately, they didn't need him as much as anticipated.
When Tyron Smith went down before the start of the season with a torn hamstring, Peters was thought as the immediate fill in. However, the elevated play of Terence Steele pre-injury and rookie Tyler Smith establish them as the long-term options.
At 41, it's unknown if Peters will be back to football at all.
12) WR Noah Brown
Brown may have had a career year statistically, but his issues overshadowed his best season.
In the past his play on special teams and blocking ability have been enough to keep him around but the Cowboys need better weapons.
Brown's play at the start of the season was awesome until his lack of route fluidity and inconsistent hands started to hurt the offense. His return is uncertain.
11) DL Carlos Watkins
Watkins finally started to come along by the end of the season.
After losing Johnathan Hankins for a stretch, Watkins became the Cowboys best interior run stuffer. Continuing to close the a A-gap at a time needed.
Watkins return won't come down to price but rather if the Cowboys are ready to move on to their younger tackles.
10) T.Y. Hilton
Hilton was brought on at the end of the season and despite a small sample size, he quickly became the offenses WR2.
Establishing himself as the deep threat they hoped Michael Gallup would go back to, Hilton's ability to get open not only relieved CeeDee Lamb as the prime target but QB Dak Prescott for another outside option.
9) CB Anthony Brown
Brown's value is almost subjective.
He didn't play well for a majority of the season but the secondary started to get eaten apart after he was lost for the season.
The arrival of Daron Bland and Israel Mukuamu, as well as return of Jourdan Lewis does put his return in the air. Is his familiarity enough to return to Dallas?
8) DT Johnathan Hankins
Hankins was a revelation trade inside. Securing the run-stuffing nose tackle the defense desperately needed.
If the Cowboys don't retain Watkins, brining back Hankins to secure the inside is the logical choice. Often their best defensive lineman when he played.
7) OL Connor McGovern
McGovern finally getting the offseason to learn the left guard position helped his play.
While not necessarily as dominant as when he filled in as a right guard, McGovern has elevated his value from swing interior lineman, to reliable starter. Playing with plenty of power.
Money is always what it comes down to and if they wouldn't pay Connor Williams, I'm not sure if McGovern is any different.
6) LB Leighton Vander Esch
Arguably his best season since his rookie year. LVE established himself inside as one of the team's best run defenders when they sorely needed it.
Playing off his one-year 'Prove it' deal, his value is likely anywhere from $7-$9 million per year.
The Cowboys love LVE and prefer to keep their first-round picks if possible. Unless Dallas gets priced out, expect the Wolf Hunter to return.
5) DL Dante Fowler
Perhaps the only player to elevate their value from the start of the season more than LVE. Fowler's one-year $3 million deal looks like pennies.
His new $7 million value, according to Spotrac, is due to his rejuvenated pass rush under DC Dan Quinn. Six sacks (3rd), 21 QB pressures (2nd) and seven tackles for loss (sixth).
The Cowboys would welcome Fowler to return but other team's are likely to pay for his services as well.
4) QB Cooper Rush
Filling in for five games for Dak Prescott, Rush has become one of the league's best backup quarterbacks in the league.
Being a reliable pocket passer who doesn't make mistakes and can run the offense enough for the team to win, or as high as being an accurate passer inside the numbers to move the ball.
The one team who could really get in the way of re-signing Rush is the LA Chargers. Who now have his former OC and QB coach. Keep in mind, you can never have too many good quarterbacks.
3) TE Dalton Schultz
Playing off the franchise tag may have been frustrating in many cases but Schultz again reminded that he is one of the top 10 tight ends in the NFL.
However, the rookie emergence's of Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, may have made Schultz expendable.
His contract is going to be around $13-$16 million per year. Is that too rich for the front office?
2) RB Tony Pollard
The stigma around paying vs. NOT paying running backs. Especially with Tony Pollard, who fills the new mold of lead backs.
Not only someone who can run the ball but is a valuable receiver both out of the backfield and lined up on the line of scrimmage. Simply pay the player and their value, not the position.
Pollard is one of two players with more than 5.0 yards per carry and 8.0 yards per reception (Travis Etienne). Even if it means the franchise tag, Pollard is too valuable to let go.
1) S Donovan Wilson
Surprised? Don't be.
Donovan Wilson is what the Cowboys wanted when they considered trading for Jamal Adams. A box safety who can play like a linebacker as well as pass rusher on the outside.
Leading the team in tackles (108) in addition to seven tackles for loss. On a broader scale, his 51.3% completion percentage allowed (1st), five sacks (5th) and 12 QB pressures (5th) makes him the Cowboys most versatile defender.
Only 28, his deal may be somewhere in the realm of what was given to Jayron Kearse. But he will also be the their most highly sought-after defense free agent.
Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
