4 Dallas Cowboys free agency predictions: $21 million player cut, huge re-signings happen, quarterback trouble brews
Free agency frenzy is upon us and though the Dallas Cowboys are unlikely to roll up their sleeves until the first (and even second) wave is in the rearview mirror, it's going to be a big year for the team as it attempts to convince the NFL world that their way works. With the legal negotiating […]
Free agency frenzy is upon us and though the Dallas Cowboys are unlikely to roll up their sleeves until the first (and even second) wave is in the rearview mirror, it's going to be a big year for the team as it attempts to convince the NFL world that their way works.
With the legal negotiating period starting on Monday at noon E.T., things are about to heat up, which is why in addition to keeping up with every move the Cowboys make, we're making predictions!
Below are four things I think will happen in the next few days of Cowboys free agency.
1. Safety Donovan Wilson gets cut
It's never fun to predict a player getting the axe but I'd be surprised if Wilson is a Cowboy when the 2025 NFL season kicks off. Going into the third and final year of his three-year $21 million deal signed in 2023, he's got the highest potential cap savings out of any player on the roster and the defense is likely to change under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
While Wilson excels in the box, he's expendable as a two-high safety. The Cowboys have already ensured the return of backups Markquese Bell and Juanyeh Thomas, who have been considered future starters for a long time now. Expect one of those two to start alongside Malik Hooker in September.
2. Quarterback room gets hit hard
It'd probably be for the best but Dak Prescott could be surrounded by new faces in the quarterback meeting room next fall. Both Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are hitting free agency this week and they're likely to head elsewhere. Lance is the likeliest to be long, considering he'll almost surely seek a new opportunity after being sidelined as QB3 in his two years in Dallas.
As for Rush, it will all be about his price tag. Is there an NFL team out there willing to pay the guy with the 9-5 record as a backup? Or will he be passed on and offered minimum deals at age 31? I'd bet it's the former and he's priced out of Dallas' range.
3. Rico Dowdle and Jourdan Lewis get re-signed
Outside of reaching a long-term extension with Micah Parsons, these two are probably the biggest items on the Cowboys' to-do list. With RB Aaron Jones signing for $10 million per year with the Minnesota Vikings, I'd project Dowdle to go for somewhere in the $4-6 million range. Simply put, Brian Schottenheimer wants to establish an offense that runs the ball and there might be no better choice than bringing Dowdle back while seeking a younger back in the NFL Draft in April.
As for Lewis, I could see him getting a higher bidder for his services but the Cowboys badly need him back. With Trevon Diggs dealing with knee rehab again next season, the Cowboys can't afford to also lose their underrated nickel cornerback. Fortunately for Dallas, Lewis' age and height might keep him out of many teams' radars.
He's been underrated for years now and the Cowboys might get away with it once more.
4. Cowboys win some, lose some at DE
The Cowboys have DeMarcus Lawrence, Chauncey Golston, and Carl Lawson hitting free agency this week. There's a real scenario where they lose all of them if the numbers don't work out for the front office.
Whether or not some of them return, the Cowboys will likely address the edge rushing rom at some point in free agency. There are many free agent targets that fit what the Cowboys usually look for: Low-risk, high reward bets.
Players like Matthew Judon, Baron Browning, and Azeez Ojulari make plenty of sense for the Cowboys in this year's market. All of them have dealt with injuries that have messed with their production and Dallas might convince itself it's a steal.