Dallas Cowboys: ESPN picks best fits for Dak Prescott, Chidobe Awuzie
The biggest storyline surrounding the Dallas Cowboys and 2021 free agency is none other than the Dak Prescott saga. Prescott has blossomed into one of the league's best quarterbacks since entering the league in 2016. He had a career season in 2019 before starting the 2020 season on a record-breaking pace. Still, the Cowboys have […]
The biggest storyline surrounding the Dallas Cowboys and 2021 free agency is none other than the Dak Prescott saga.
Prescott has blossomed into one of the league's best quarterbacks since entering the league in 2016. He had a career season in 2019 before starting the 2020 season on a record-breaking pace. Still, the Cowboys have yet to reward him with a long-term deal.
There is a chance that the two sides agree to terms on a contract extension, but the expectation is that the Cowboys will place the franchise tag on Prescott. Dallas has until March 9th to strike a deal with their quarterback, otherwise Prescott will be on the tag.
All of that said, the free agency period is going to happen whether or not the Cowboys ink their quarterback. That means that Dallas will need to add talent to the roster, and it also means that other teams will likely be after some of the Cowboys' own free agents.
ESPN picked best spots for Dak Prescott and Chidobe Awuzie in free agency.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN had the task of picking the best destinations for the top-50 free agents in the 2021 class. That includes Dak Prescott, Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, and more.
Fowler believes Robinson's best fit would be with the Washington Football Team. It would not be fun to have to defend him twice a season in addition to Terry McLaurin. Fellow free agent stud receiver Kenny Golladay's best fit, per Fowler, is the Giants. That would make the NFC East much more talented at the position.
As for the Cowboys, Fowler sees both Prescott and Awuzie's best fits outside of Dallas. Prescott's best fit is in the NFC South, while Awuzie's best fit is still in the Lone Star State.
Prescott's best fit: Carolina Panthers
Fowler mentions that the Cowboys have the ability to keep Prescott in Dallas thanks to the franchise tag. That said, he sees Prescott and the Carolina Panthers making a fun pairing:
In Carolina, Teddy Bridgewater's future is murky after his late-season struggles, and the Panthers have shown they are all-in on the quarterback carousel. They got involved in the Matthew Stafford sweepstakes. If Deshaun Watson becomes available, they will probably do the same. They have $10.9 million in cap space and could create more with cuts and restructures. Moving on from Bridgewater's contract would hit Carolina with $20 million in dead money, but they would also have $22.9 million in salary cap off the books.
Let Prescott and offensive coordinator Joe Brady get weird with a schemed-up mix of spread and NFL offensive concepts.
Prescott teaming up with the likes of running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver D.J. Moore, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady would be a lot of fun — unless you are the Cowboys.
Awuzie's best fit: Houston Texans
As for Chidobe Awuzie, Fowler believes the 2017 second-rounder would be best suited to head to a different city in the state of Texas. The Texans certainly need help in the defensive backfield.
Houston needs help all over the depth chart — and a viable corner opposite Bradley Roby. Awuzie missed half the season due to injury but will have a market due to his speed, size and coverage skills. Also watch out for New Orleans, where Kris Richard, Awuzie's coordinator in Dallas for two seasons, is joining the staff.
Outside free agent to the Cowboys?
While Fowler sees Prescott and Awuzie better off leaving the Cowboys, he does send one of ESPN's top-50 free agents to Dallas. The Cowboys will be looking for secondary help, and this one might make some sense.
Shaquill Griffin to Dallas.
Defensive back should be a top priority for Dallas, and Griffin is considered the top outside corner on the market. He can cover and is a willing tackler. Seattle will try to keep him. The Cowboys have to throw some money at the secondary, even with $14.1 million in space and the Dak Prescott deal staring them down.
Griffin will be just 26-years-old when the 2021 NFL season begins. Dallas certainly needs to improve in the secondary, and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will likely have sone input.
Cowboys defensive backs Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and Xavier Woods are all set to hit free agency, so Griffin could be a name worth monitoring if the team decides to sit out of the Patrick Peterson and Richard Sherman sweepstakes.
The Dallas Cowboys' roster could look a lot different this time next season. Signing Dak Prescott needs to be at the top of the to-do list, but ESPN sees his best fit elsewhere in the NFC.
Featured image via Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
