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[Dallas Cowboys]

Looking at potential signings if the Cowboys made one semi-splashy move in free agency

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Which free agents do you think the Cowboys will wind up targeting?

Free agency is just about upon us and the Dallas Cowboys will have an opportunity to spend some money to upgrade their roster. After freeing up over $50 million in cap space with roster restructures, they could splash around a bit if they want. It’s always possible that the Cowboys are again quiet in free agency, but what if this season they did something, even if it’s not something huge?

With that in mind, I took to the Twitterverse last week and proposed the following question...

If the Cowboys front office authorized funding for the purchase of ONE outside free agent who they could sign to a two-year, $24 million deal, who would you want them to spend the money on? Here are some of the names people came up with.

WIDE RECEIVER​

It’s not a surprise that the wide receiver position would get a lot of hits. Many are enamored with trading for a player like D.K. Metcalf or Cooper Kupp, but how about the guys that won’t cost the Cowboys any additional draft resources? Here are the top names that made the list.

Davante Adams (New York Jets)​

The moment he was released, fans salivated about the idea of him joining CeeDee Lamb. Adams is an 11-year veteran who is 32 years old. Even at an older age, he produces, compiling 1,000-yard seasons in each of the last five years. And that includes the last two where he’s had some shaky quarterback play.

Market price: $13.6 million

Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)​

Like Adams, Godwin is a constant performer. He produces 1,000-yard seasons regularly and would have had another last year had he not suffered an ankle injury. He’s been a career WR2 alongside Mike Evans and that’s the same role he’d have in Dallas with Lamb. At 29 years old, there’s still plenty of juice left, and that’s why his cost will be a little higher. Not sure the Cowboys would spend that much for a WR2.

Market price: $22.5 million

Tyler Lockett (Seattle Seahawks)​

Lockett’s numbers have gone down in each of the last two years, but that’s related more to the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba as he’s been relegated to WR3 behind Smith-Njigba and Metcalf. Lockett is a reliable receiver who played in every game in seven of his 10 years in the league. And in the other three, he only missed one game. That’s dependable. His reliability, affordable cost, and Brian Schottenheimer connection make him an interesting option for the Cowboys.

Market price: $7.7 million

DEFENSIVE TACKLE​

This is a position that we revisit every offseason as people hope the Cowboys will finally address the areas seriously.

Jonathan Allen (Washington Commanders)​

After eight seasons in Washington, Allen was released in a cap-saving move. He’s 30 years old and coming off a torn left pectoral muscle injury. There were teams pondering making a trade for him, but thought his price would be cheaper on the free agent market. The Cowboys just signed Osa Odighizuwa to a new four-year deal, so it doesn’t seem like they would commit additional resources at the position.

Market price: Less than $15.5 million

B.J. Hill (Cincinnati Bengals)​

If the Cowboys wanted to attack the defensive tackle position at a slightly lower cost, they could look at seven-year pro B.J. Hill. He’s not a splashy player, but he’s a reliable fixture in the interior thanks to some good length and a relentless motor.

Market price: $9 million

LINEBACKER​

Nick Bolton (Kansas City Chiefs)​

A second-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2021, the linebacker has recorded over 100 tackles in three of his first four seasons in the league, with the only exception coming in 2023 when he only played half a season. Bolton is a seasoned block shedder who will bring a nice run-stopping presence to any team.

Market Value: $12.3 million

Dre Greenlaw (San Francisco 49ers)​

The Robin to Fred Warner’s Batman, Greenlaw has been a force for the San Francisco 49ers defense when he can stay healthy. Twice over the last for seasons he’s missed extensive time. The Cowboys already have health concerns at linebacker, so he’s not the most ideal choice, but if he’s able to stay on the field, he’d provide a physical veteran presence to the group.

Market price: $6.7 million

OFFENSIVE LINE​

With the retirement of Zack Martin, the Cowboys will have a new right guard this year. Brock Hoffman could move into that spot or the Cowboys could look to free agency to help out.

James Daniels (Pittsburgh Steelers)​

After spending four years in Chicago, Daniels was rewarded with a three-year, $26 million deal with the Steelers. He has been starter all seven years in the league, but is coming off a shortened year due to a season-ending Achilles injury. Daniels was an official 30 visit with the Cowboys back in 2018 and has played in all three interior line spots, which is always an appeal for the Cowboys.

Market price: $7.8 million

What player would you want the Cowboys to go after who falls in that $12 million per year range?

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ckett-chris-godwin-jonathan-allen-nick-bolton

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Projected market values provided for Cowboys upcoming free agents

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Which players do you think the Cowboys will retain this week?

It has been a busy week of NFL news with a ton of big names being released, some being re-signed, and some being traded. So far for the Cowboys, they have re-signed Osa Odighizuwa to a 4-year $80-million dollar deal on March 4th, and took care of guys like Juanyeh Thomas, Brock Hoffman and C.J. Goodwin.

With the legal tampering period starting on Monday, the first-wave of free agency will be just about over by the end of the day, with most of the tier one free agents agreeing to terms on Monday.

The Cowboys currently have 17 unrestricted free agents and a few of the big names have had their market values recently updated by Spotrac.com.

Projected market values for notable Cowboys unrestricted free agents sorted by AAV, according to @spotrac:

DE DeMarcus Lawrence - 2 years/$24M
DE Chauncey Golston - 3 years/$22M
LB Eric Kendricks - 1 year/$6.8M
RB Rico Dowdle - 1 year/$6.2M
WR Brandin Cooks - 1 year/$5.2M
QB… https://t.co/NpiJRruSTf

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) March 8, 2025​

A few of the key names include Jourdan Lewis, DeMarcus Lawrence, Erik Kendricks, and Carl Lawson. According to Spotrac, Lewis’ value is around $2.25-million per year which seems very low given the level he has contributed to the Cowboys defense over the course of his career. If the Cowboys are able to retain Lewis in the $2-to-$5-million per year range that would be a fantastic value for one of their best defenders over the last few years.

Lawson is another name to highlight in this free agency period. Lawson was a key contributor to the Cowboys pass rush in 2024, finishing with six sacks and 27 pressures in limited snaps. DeMarcus Lawrence, the longest tenured Cowboy remaining with Zack Martin recently retiring, is a name to watch over the opening days of NFL free agency. Lawrence played in just four games in 2024, but has been a leader and excellent player for the Cowboys over the course of his career. Lawrence’s agent, David Canter, spoke at the NFL scouting combine and his comments did not reflect a ton of confidence in Lawrence returning to the Cowboys, but that may change if his market is not as heavy as many have predicted.

Erik Kendricks is the last name to mention with the rough shape the Cowboys linebacker room is currently in with DeMarvion Overshown likely to miss most of the 2025 season. Kendricks played the third most snaps on the Cowboys defense in 2024, behind Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson and played pretty well for most of the season.

The Cowboys have plenty of money to spend, with the 10th most cap space in the NFL after restructuring Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb deals earlier in the week. We will see how aggressive they are in retaining their own free agents over the next few days and how that impacts how aggressive they will be on outside free agents when free agency kicks off next week.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...s-demarcus-lawrence-rico-dowdle-jourdan-lewis

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Dallas Cowboys free agency tracker: Rumors, news and all reported signings and updates

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We are tracking all news and rumors surrounding Dallas Cowboys free agency.

NFL free agency is here and the Dallas Cowboys would be wise to make the most of it. The Cowboys are a team known for not exactly partaking in free agency, but the last few weeks have suggested that some things are starting to change which could mean that they maybe decide to finally get involved. You never know with these types of things.

As always we will be tracking all rumors and official pieces of news relative to the Cowboys and what happens around them in free agency. This post will serve as that tracker so make sure to bookmark it and check for constant updates in the coming weeks.

Keep in mind that the NFL’s legal tampering window opens on Monday, March 10th at 12pm ET and closes one minute before the new league year officially begins which is at 4pm ET on Wednesday, March 12th. Many deals will be accomplished in the legal tampering window and will not officially be able to happen until the new league year begins.

CURRENT DALLAS COWBOYS CAP SPACE, PER OVERTHECAP: $54M

Last Updated: Sunday, March 9th at 7:35pm ET

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Dallas Cowboys Free Agent Signings or Re-Signings​

• The Cowboys re-signed DT Osa Odighizuwa
• The Cowboys re-signed special teams player C.J. Goodwin
• The Cowboys picked up the option on ERFA Juanyeh Thomas
• The Cowboys picked up the option on ERFA Brock Hoffman
• The Cowboys picked up the option on ERFA Tyrus Wheat
• The Cowboys re-signed safety Markquese Bell

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Dallas Cowboys Free Agent Rumors​

• TBD

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Former Cowboys Who are Officially Headed Elsewhere​

• TBD

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Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ors-news-reported-signings-updates-departures

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys agree to multi-year deal with safety Markquese Bell

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Markquese Bell is returning to the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have locked up their third defensive player of the week. After signing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year extension, and picking up the contract option on safety Juanyeh Thomas, the Cowboys have agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $12 million with safety Markquese Bell, who was an undrafted free agent in 2022.

The #Cowboys and safety Markquese Bell have agreed to terms on a three-year deal with a max value of $12M, per sources. pic.twitter.com/kLfSoDEuvY

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 9, 2025​

Bell logged just 22 defensive snaps as a rookie. It would be the 2023 season where he would make his mark, but not at safety. Despite being very undersized, Bell played linebacker under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn that season and finished second on the team with 94 tackles. However, once the Cowboys got deep into the regular season, and eventually the playoffs, Bell's lack of size hurt the Cowboys defense as teams were able to run the ball and control the clock.

The 2024 campaign saw Bell go back to his natural position of safety. He would only play 34 defensive plays as Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker handled safety duties. Dallas now has Wilson, Hooker, Thomas and Bell locked in. Wilson will be a free agent in 2026, so this move covers them if he isn't retained. Nonetheless, the Cowboys have solid safety depth going into 2025.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ell-multi-year-deal-contract-agreement-return

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Myles Garrett deal sets the floor for Micah Parsons’ payday

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Notable headlines surrounding America’s team.

Cowboys now have guaranteed $125 million target for negotiations with 4x Pro Bowler - K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire​

The floor has been set.

Executive VP and money man Stephen Jones mentioned, while in negotiations with Agent OO97 Odighizuwa, that the team’s agenda was to complete that so they could move on to extension talks with celestial luminary Micah Parsons. Parsons is entering the fifth-year option of his deal and is expected to command the most money ever given to a non quarterback.

A week ago that ceiling sat at $34 million a year, $170 million in total compensation and $122.5 million in total guarantees. But on Sunday, the Cleveland Browns reached an agreement with another edge rusher on a Hall of Fame trajectory, inking Myles Garrett to a four-year extension averaging $40 million a season and totalling $123.5 million in guarantees.

Garrett’s extension zooms past the average salary earned by Las Vegas Raiders edge Maxx Crosby, who earlier in the week signed a new extension that averages $35.5 million a season. surpassing the 49ers Nick Bosa’s deal by $1.5 million a year. Garrett now leaves that total in the dust, taking advantage of the $23.8 million of additional space on the 2025 NFL cap.

AFC team cleaning house may screw Cowboys out of dream draft scenario - Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat​

Dallas has to hope for some bad decisions come draft day.

“Outside of CeeDee Lamb, where is the juice coming from in the Cowboys’ offense?” Brugler writes. “McMillan could provide some. With his rangy catch radius and ball skills, he is a quarterback-friendly target who is open even when covered.”

McMillan would be a fantastic pick for Dallas, but the Jaguars feel like an obvious landing spot for the former Wildcat after they traded Christian Kirk to the Texans.

They also released wide receivers Josh Reynolds, Devin Duvernay and top tight end Evan Engram, who was limited to nine games last season but caught 114passes for 963 yards in 2023. Engram in Dallas would be fun, but let’s save that for another day.

2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas had a fantastic rookie season, catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns to pace all rookies.

The Jaguars would probably like to get ride of Gabe Davis, too, but he’s guaranteed $11.5 million next season. They might end up parting ways with him regardless. Long story short they need another receiver to pair with Thomas.

Should Dallas Cowboys pursue recently released future Hall of Famer? - Matt Galatzan, Sports Illustrated​

The Cowboys will be looking at some aged vets in free agency, but will they sign them?

According to reports from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Buffalo Bills are set to release eight-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro and future Hall of Fame edge rusher Von Miller after three seasons with the team.

Meanwhile the Dallas Cowboys are in major need of help in the pass rushing department, and have recently become the benefactors of an influx of freed of cap space.

All of which begs the question - should the Cowboys pursue Miller in free agency? Well, at least on the surface one could make the argument that they absolutely should at least attempt to make a phone call.

In his 13 seasons in the NFL, Miller has amassed 129.5 sacks, averaging 11.8 sacks per season, and has racked up 171 tackles for loss, 256 QB Hits and 581 tackles. Of course, in his three years with Buffalo, those numbers have dropped significantly, with Miller making just 14 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and 23 QB hits in 36 games.

3 of “our guys” the Cowboys should re-sign if the price is right - Mario Herrera Jr, Inside The Star​

It would be nice to see these names wearing the star again.

CB Jourdan Lewis

Projected Market Value: $2yr, $4.5M ($2.25M AAV)

Jourdan Lewis has been a key contributor in the Cowboys’ secondary for several reasons.

Known for his quickness and savvy play in the slot, Lewis has proven to be a dependable cornerback in one of the league’s most challenging positions.

As the Cowboys defense enters a new defensive scheme yet again under DC Matt Eberflus, retaining a player like Lewis, who brings both experience and reliability to the field, should be a priority.

Spotrac’s market value projections place Lewis’ contract at around $2.25M per season. I don’t think Lewis will be that cheap to retain, but he might agree to a team-friendly deal.

Projected market values provided for Cowboys upcoming free agents- Connor Livesay, Blogging The Boys​

To set the stage.

A few of the key names include Jourdan Lewis, DeMarcus Lawrence, Erik Kendricks, and Carl Lawson. According to Spotrac, Lewis’ value is around $2.25-million per year which seems very low given the level he has contributed to the Cowboys defense over the course of his career. If the Cowboys are able to retain Lewis in the $2-to-$5-million per year range that would be a fantastic value for one of their best defenders over the last few years.

Lawson is another name to highlight in this free agency period. Lawson was a key contributor to the Cowboys pass rush in 2024, finishing with six sacks and 27 pressures in limited snaps. DeMarcus Lawrence, the longest tenured Cowboy remaining with Zack Martin recently retiring, is a name to watch over the opening days of NFL free agency. Lawrence played in just four games in 2024, but has been a leader and excellent player for the Cowboys over the course of his career. Lawrence’s agent, David Canter, spoke at the NFL scouting combine and his comments did not reflect a ton of confidence in Lawrence returning to the Cowboys, but that may change if his market is not as heavy as many have predicted.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...sons-payday-mcmillan-von-miller-jourdan-lewis

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

4 free agent linebackers who could be good fits for the Cowboys

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The Cowboys would do well to add linebacker help during free agency

With free agency beginning this week, it’s time for NFL teams to start buying new players. For the Dallas Cowboys, we are not sure what that ultimately means, but there’s always a chance the team does something. For them, it’s just about filling the holes in their roster so they can draft as pure as possible.

Looking at the Cowboys roster, there is one position group in desperate need of reinforcements. Linebacker. The only players they have are two young third-round guys, Marist Liufau and DeMarvion Overshown, however Overshown’s future is a great uncertainty due to his terrible knee injury last season. That essentially leaves Liufau all alone. If the Cowboys were to spend a little in free agency, linebacker might be the spot to do it. Taking that into consideration, here are four free agent linebackers who could be good fits for the Cowboys.

Robert Spillane, Las Vegas Raiders​

Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Originally an undrafted free agent of the Tennessee Titans, he didn’t even make the team his rookie year and was signed to the practice squad. He only played two games with the Titans before being waived and joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over the next four years he served as a reserve and logged most of his snaps on special teams.

Spillane signed with the Raiders in 2023 where he finally got a chance to start, playing in all 17 games in each of the last two seasons. He’s recorded over 300 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and five interceptions in that span. Spillane may be a late bloomer, but he’s a playmaker now and would be an instant spark to any team’s linebacker position group.

Market price: $10.4 million

Cody Barton, Denver Broncos​

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

A third-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks, this former Utah Ute served primarily as a special teams player buried behind linebackers like Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, and then Jordyn Brooks. When Wagner left to play for the Los Angeles Rams, Barton became the Seahawks starter and racked up 136 tackles. During his time in Seattle, he spent three years with the Seahawks defensive passing game coordinator Andre Curtis, who is now the Cowboys' new defensive passing game coordinator.

After his rookie deal expired in Seattle, he played one season starting for the Washington Commanders and then last year starting for the Denver Broncos. Since becoming a starter, he’s had 100+ tackles in each of the past three seasons. Barton is a physical player who would be a solid run-stopping piece to any defense.

Market price: $6.6 million

Kyzir White, Arizona Cardinals​

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A fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018, White transitioned from safety to linebacker. He was relatively quiet until the final year of his rookie deal where he led the Chargers with 144 tackles. He left L.A. in free agency in 2022, signing a one-year deal with the Eagles and helping them reach the Super Bowl. The following season, he signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals. He’s averaged 120 tackles over the past four seasons.

White is a solid run defender. Being a former safety, he can also make plays in coverage. He’s patient in waiting for the play to develop, but when he goes, he goes. He is very effective chasing down running backs and tight ends in the flat. White won’t be a big impact player on defense, but he’s a reliable linebacker who has played in all 17 games in three of the last four seasons.

Market price: $5.8 million

E.J. Speed, Indianapolis Colts​

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The Indianapolis Colts have had some great linebackers on their team in recent years. Zaire Franklin, Shaq Leonard, and Bobby Okereke have all had strong seasons at linebacker at some point over the last several years. One guy who gets overlooked is a former fifth-round linebacker, E.J. Speed.

Speed was buried behind these other linebacker studs, but once he got his opportunity to start, he’s been very effective. He’s accrued 100+ tackles in each of the last two seasons, including 142 last year. And we can’t ignore his connection with the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus who was the Colts defensive coordinator during Speed's first three years in the league. This is just one of those moves that make sense.

Market price: $5.4 million

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...rt-spillane-cody-barton-kyzir-white-e-j-speed

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Free agent wide receiver Tyler Lockett has been linked to Brian Schottenheimer before

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Tyler Lockett is a name that makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys have a need at wide receiver. At the moment CeeDee Lamb represents the only legitimate option the team has in the room. Sure, Jalen Tolbert has a role of sorts. KaVontae Turpin has mroe than proven that he can help out. The front office likely wants Jonathan Mingo to turn into something given that they traded a fourth-round draft pick to acquire him before last season’s deadline.

Ultimately, reading those names probably re-emphasized to you just how serious the need is. While it would make sense for the Cowboys to throw a draft pick at it in a couple of months, it would behoove them to also utilize free agency in the name of finding a receiver.

Amari Cooper, Brandin Cooks and apparently Michael Gallup will all be looking for deals in the coming days. Maybe the Cowboys go with a level of familiarity in that sense. Or maybe they will go with a level of familiarity in a different sense.

Tyler Lockett has been connected to the Cowboys before​

Recently, the Seattle Seahawks decided to move on from wide receiver Tyler Lockett. Amazingly, Lockett spent an entire decade with the Seahawks. Time really does fly.

Lockett is a franchise legend in Seattle and some of his better days happened to come with the current head honcho for the Dallas Cowboys running the offense. Tyler reached a career high in touchdowns (10) in two of the three seasons that Brian Schottenheimer was Seattle’s offensive coordinator.

It should come as no surprise that Schottenheimer’s position in Dallas has caused people to wonder if that is where Lockett will head next. For context, this was written before Seattle officially released Lockett:

Lockett’s father lives in Kansas City, both having starred at nearby Kansas State, where his younger brother currently plays wide receiver. Lockett spends much of the offseason in Texas, where he’s practiced real estate as a licensed agent since 2022. The Cowboys’ new head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, was Lockett’s offensive coordinator for three of his best seasons in Seattle.

While Carroll could conceivably have interest in bringing Lockett to the Las Vegas Raiders, that’s a rebuilding team with a question mark at quarterback and no realistic chance to play for a championship in 2025, something that figures to matter to Lockett as his career winds down.

Learning that Lockett spends much of his offseason in Texas certainly is interesting, as is the fact that he is apparently a licensed realtor in the area! Who knew?!

Maybe Tyler Lockett really does feel that the Cowboys and Schottenheimer are his chance to chase a title, something that has eluded him to this point in his career. As noted, this was written before he was released by Seattle which means that it was also written before Pete Carroll’s Las Vegas Raiders traded for Geno Smith. Maybe an entire reunion will happen in Sin City.

But there continues to be a lot of logic to the idea of Tyler Lockett joining the Cowboys. We will see if Dallas has any legitimate interest in pursuing that option.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...r-lockett-linked-brian-schottenheimer-raiders

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

2025 free agency: 3 offensive free agents Cowboys should consider signing

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Here are some potentially realistic free agent options for the Cowboys

After restructuring the contracts Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, the Dallas Cowboys are heading into free agency with a few holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball and quite a bit of money to do it. They are currently sitting at $54 million in salary-cap space and some of that could be devoted to a few free agents to help upgrade their offense. Here are three they should consider.

RB Javonte Williams​

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Given his prototypical size (5'10", 220-pounds), his draft pedigree (2021 2nd-round, 35th overall) and age (25 years old in April), Javonte Williams is a type of risk/reward free agent the Cowboys don't mind taking a chance on. Compared to what Rico Dowdle is expected to receive on the open market, Williams is a more affordable option and can provide the same type of hard-nosed running style in Dallas. Pairing him with a rookie or two in the 2025 NFL Draft would completely overhaul an upgrade the RB position for the Cowboys.

PFF contract projection: 2 yrs, $3.5m avg/yr ($4 guaranteed, $7m total)

WR Darius Slayton​

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Even after suffering through poor quarterback play during his six years with the New York Giants, Darius Slayton still managed to be productive accumulating at least 700 receiving yards in four out of six seasons, averaging 15.0 yards per reception. He still just 28 years old and would bring an explosive threat at all three levels of the field to the Cowboys aerial attack. Keeping him in the NFC East division and pairing him with CeeDee Lamb makes a lot of sense, especially considering the 2025 WR draft class isn't a very deep one.

PFF contract projection: 3 yrs, $12.5m avg/yr ($25m guaranteed, $37.5m total)

RG Will Hernandez​

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

While the Cowboys have some in-house options to replace Zack Martin now that he's officially retired, signing an affordable and proven free agent would be wise on their part. Bringing in Hernandez is a logical move. His former OL coach in Arizona, Klayton Adams, is now the new OC in Dallas and that connection alone makes this move all the more realistic. He is working his way back a season-ending knee injury he sustained in Week 5, but he's expected to be 100% for training camp and that could even help drive down is price.

PFF contract projection: 2 yrs, $4.75m avg/yr ($3m guaranteed, $9.5m total)

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...arius-slayton-javonte-williams-will-hernandez

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

2025 free agency: 3 defensive free agents Cowboys should consider signing

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Here are some defensive free agents the Cowboys can consider

While it's true the Dallas Cowboys need to upgrade the offensive side of the ball a little bit, they also have holes on defense. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus definitely has his work cut out for him in 2025. There's not a position on defense that can really be considered stabilized both from a starting standpoint and depth wise. That could cause them to go heavy on defense in both free agency and the draft.

Thanks to the contract restructures of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys are currently sitting at $54 million in salary-cap space. With so many holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball and the need to build around Micah Parsons, Dallas would be wise to allocate quite a bit of that money to bring in proven veterans who can immediately upgrade things. Today, we'll take a look at a few we would like them to target.

LB Dre Greenlaw​

Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images

Dre Greenlaw missed nearly all of the 2024 NFL season after working his way back from a Achilles injury he sustained in the Super Bowl. He'll likely be looking for a short-term deal in 2025 to help boost his market value so that he can cash in on a big-money contract once he proves he's fully recovered. That could benefit a team like the Cowboys who could be looking for a veteran starter at LB without paying a premium price. Greenlaw fits what Matt Eberflus likes at the position, especially in coverage.

PFF contract projection: 1 yr, $6m avg/yr ($5m guaranteed, $6m total)

DT Levi Onwuzurike​

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Cowboys need a lot of help at defensive tackle, even after re-signing Osa Odighizuwa. Levi Onwuzurike is someone who can do just that. While it's true he's struggled with injuries so far in his young career, it's also true the 27-year-old has the talent to be a difference maker when healthy. The former second-round pick is a disruptive player who can line up as the 1- or 3-technique in Matt Eberflus' 4-3 defensive scheme. He had a 12.5% pass-rush win rate in 2024, which ranked top-15 at the position last season.

PFF contract projection: 2 yrs, $8.5m avg/yr ($10m guaranteed, $16.5m total)

DE Darrell Taylor​

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Right now, the only known and proven commodity at defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys is Micah Parsons. Behind him Marshawn Kneeland has shown flashes of becoming a reliable starter and the same can probably be said about Sam Williams if he can return to form after his season-ending knee injury last year. In Darrell Taylor, Dallas would for bringing in someone who played for Matt Eberflus in Chicago and is familiar with his scheme and could take on that Carl Lawson role as an important depth piece at the position.

PFF contract projection: 2 yrs, $5.25m avg/yr ($6m guaranteed, $10.5m total)

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...s-dre-greenlaw-levi-onwuzurike-darrell-taylor

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys should find another starting WR before the draft

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Waiting until the draft to add receiver talent may be too risky for the Cowboys.

One of the Cowboys’ biggest needs this offseason is to figure out their other starter at wide receiver. With limited internal options, Dallas should strongly consider an outside hire. But if they forego free agency and wait until the draft, they may have difficulty finding a clear upgrade.

Brandin Cooks is a free agent and his return is hard to project. Turning 32 this September, Cooks is on the downside of his career and has struggled to consistently produce in two seasons with Dallas. While there are legitimate complaints about how he’s been used in the offense under Mike McCarthy, Cooks also has 11 seasons of NFL mileage and is seeing the natural decline of some physical skills.

Even some of the biggest Jalen Tolbert fans would feel uneasy with him just being handed the WR2 job. He had a solid third season in 2024 but still hasn’t proven he can be a reliable starting target for Dak Prescott. The rest of the pack, be it KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, Jonathan Mingo, or Ryan Flournoy, are all guys you’re happy to bring to camp and use to fill out your depth chart. But a starting job? Not yet, if ever.

So if they’re not re-signing Cooks and not ready to lean on Tolbert, that means a move is coming. Many would like to see Dallas land one of the top WR prospects in this draft class like Tet McMillan, Matthew Golden, Luther Burden, or Emeka Egbuka. But if they wait until the draft to find WR2, the Cowboys could easily come up short.

For one, it’s rarely good policy to rely on a rookie WR as a Day One starter. Some certainly can hit the ground running, but many have needed at least a year to acclimate to the professional game. And this class isn’t considered to have the same elite talent as some years, such as the 2020 group which brought CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk, and others into the league.

What’s more, the Cowboys would essentially be locking into WR with their first-round pick. That could be dangerous as McMillan (and of course Travis Hunter) are the only prospects some feel would be worthy of the 12th-overall pick. Maybe they could trade down before taking Burden, Egbuka, or Golden, but you can’t always find someone to dance with on those deals. That means Dallas would have to reach, potentially, to fill their starting WR need.

If you don’t take a WR at 12 then you’re waiting until the 44th pick, and by then you could be down to the next tier with guys like Tre Harris, Elic Ayomanor, and Xavier Restrepo. They’re good prospects, but are they really walk-in starters? Do they immediately supplant Tolbert, who himself was a third-round pick and now has three years of experience? Again, you’re running an awful risk.

Much like how re-signing Osa Odighizuwa took pressure off of finding a new DT early in the draft, the Cowboys need to think the same way about receiver with the impending free agent market. Not necessarily bringing back Cooks; there are legitimate concerns about him both in scheme fit and diminished ability. But if Dallas is going to make one more big move, adding a clear starting candidate at WR would help preserve their flexibility in the draft.

This isn’t to say that the Cowboys should give up picks for franchised Tee Higgins or get into a bidding war for Chris Godwin. But what about a guy like Darius Slayton, still just 28 with loads of experience from his time in New York? He would create a strong competition for that WR2 spot with Tolbert. And not having the name recognition of other free agents like Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams, and Amari Cooper, Slayton’s price could stay within the Cowboys’ range.

Another NFC East transfer could be Dyami Brown, who started breaking out during Washington’s last playoff run. He’s going to get interest at just 25-years-old but doesn’t have enough skins on the wall to demand huge money. Like Slayton, he’s a guy who could come in and boost your WR room but still allow for some competition and consideration of drafting a prospect high if the right guy’s available.

Outside of maybe running back, there isn’t a position where you want to feel dependent on the draft to cover a starting vacancy. Wide receiver is especially dangerous given the potential learning curve, plus the consensus that this 2025 class isn’t teeming with highly-touted prospects. If the Cowboys want to avoid the risk of coming out of April with a gaping hole on offense, addressing WR in the upcoming free agent action would be the safer course.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...raft-darius-slayton-dyami-brown-jalen-tolbert

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys free agent rumor: Interest in a pair of free agents from San Francisco

Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images

The Cowboys are being connected to a couple of free agents early on in the process.

The Dallas Cowboys enter the legal tampering period of free agency with glaring holes on defense. Linebacker was always a need, but with Jourdan Lewis moving on to the Jacksonville Jaguars on a reported three-year $30 million deal, cornerback is now near the top of the list.

Stephen Jones said that before free agency, the team would be “selectively aggressive” with free agency and could be more active this season compared to last year when looking outside the building. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN mentioned that the team could be interested in a pair of free agents from the San Francisco 49ers, Dre Greenlaw and Charvarius Ward.

The Cowboys' interest in Ward is nothing new. They signed him as an undrafted free agent as a rookie in 2018 but traded him to Kansas City before the season in favor of guard Parker Ehinger. Ward became a stud with the Chiefs and then became a Pro Bowl corner with the 49ers.

Ward is familiar with the building and some of the coaching staff. His former defensive coordinator, Nick Sorensen, is Dallas’ special teams coordinator. Dallas could use another outside cornerback with Trevon Diggs’ status up in the air for the start of the 2025 season after offseason knee surgery. DaRon Bland can play either inside or outside, so Ward could help until Diggs is healthy, and then the coaches can figure out where Bland best fits their gameplan.

Greenlaw has the same familiarity with Sorensen, and Dallas could undoubtedly use proven depth at the linebacker position. Marist Liufau and Damone Clark are the only proven linebackers on the team, with DeMarvion Overshown recovering from injury and Eric Kendricks hitting free agency. Greenlaw spent most of last year rehabbing from a torn Achilles he suffered in the Super Bowl but played in two games, helping elevate his stock before free agency.

Outside of re-signing long snapper Trent Sieg to a three-year deal, the Cowboys have been relatively quiet on day one. If they can negotiate a few deals with players like Greenlaw and Ward, their defense looks much better on paper than it did to start the day.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...st-san-francisco-dre-greenlaw-charvarius-ward

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys mailbag: Questions on DeMarcus Lawrence, defensive tackle, and Tyler Lockett

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Here is our latest Dallas Cowboys mailbag.

Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook about Dallas Cowboys players and other issues surrounding the team. So let’s get right into it.

“Has there been any indication they are working on a Tank [DeMarcus Lawrence] deal?”​

(@RogSnwnm on X)

Mike: A lot of rumor has swirled around Lawrence and whether he’ll get a contract extension. Tried asking some folks in Dallas on this one and they are drawing a blank as well. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, plus asking these sort of questions this time of year is always shrouded in mystery. Lawrence is a big team leader and a great mentor to the younger guys. Going against him, however, is the fact he will be 33 years of age when the season starts. For defensive linemen that’s the age when things seriously drop off and the risk of injury goes up. The silence and very little information on what the team want to do with Tank is a big tell that they are trying to figure out this very difficult decision.

Dana: There hasn’t been anything definitive on whether or not the Cowboys are actively working to resign DeMarcus Lawrence. However, Lawrence has been vocal about wanting to stay in Dallas and noted that the “ball is in their court”.

.@MacEngelProf caught up with DeMarcus Lawrence who shed light on his coming free agency:

“The ball is in their court. I’m not only going to play in Dallas. I’m going to have other options, but I’d like to stay here. It would be a glorious thing.”

MOREhttps://t.co/wwUsHucQsl

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) March 1, 2025​

He also mentioned that he would have other options, and that is likely very true. There are plenty of teams that could be interested in paying a higher price for a player like Lawrence, the Commanders likely being one of them. The Cowboys have done some work to free up some cap space but it is unclear if they would be willing to get into a bidding war for the 12-year veteran.

“What do you think about adding a DT in FA? Javon Hargrave, maybe?”​

(@TheRealPapos on X)

Mike: The recent contract extension of Osa Odighizuwa slightly puts the inside defensive line need lower. It’s still a need since as it stands there’s only Mazi Smith and Justin Rogers (both nose tackles) playing on the inside defensive line. Signing a free agent defensive tackle would help free up priorities in the draft but these guys aren’t cheap.

Signing Javon Hargrave could bolster the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line, leveraging his proven track record as a disruptive interior pass rusher, with 11 sacks in 2022, and seven sacks in 2023 his production is solid. However, at 32 years old, his age raises concerns about declining performance and injury risk, especially given his limited play in 2024, and his salary expectations of around $21 million per year could strain Dallas’ newly acquired $54 million cap space, potentially limiting flexibility for other key signings.

Dana: The two-time Pro-Bowler could be an excellent addition to the middle of the defensive line and can bolster the DT room along side Osa Odighizuwa. He has been a very good player throughout his career, however he only played a few games last season after suffering a triceps injury. As always with the Cowboys’ front office, the price has to be right. I don’t see the Cowboys pulling the trigger if the price tag is anywhere near Odighizuwa’s. However, his former DC is now on the Cowboys’ staff so they may just surprise me.

“What do you think Tyler Locket would command $ and any chance of him landing in Dallas”​

(@seantacoma on X)

Mike: Signing Tyler Lockett could boost the Dallas Cowboys’ offense, leveraging his proven reliability as a wide receiver with 8,594 career yards and 61 touchdowns, offering a strong complement to CeeDee Lamb and familiarity with head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s system, potentially enhancing Dak Prescott and the passing game.

However, at 32 years old, Lockett’s recent performance slump where he produced 600 yards and only two touchdowns in 2024, and his salary expectations where in Seattle he commands an average salary of $14 million per year, pose significant issues. Essentially, his age and injury concerns limit his value. Looking at the prospects the Cowboys had formal interviews with at the Scouting Combine, it’s fair to say this is where the next WR2 will come from to replace Brandin Cooks.

Dana: As Tyler Lockett is now a 32 year old WR in the NFL and his production has been on the decline, his price tag shouldn’t be one that will break the bank. Although he isn’t the same WR he once was, he could add a lot of value to this Cowboys’ offense along side CeeDee Lamb. While signing Lockett wouldn’t solve all of the needs in the WR room, the Cowboys need a player to help shoulder some of the load and take some pressure off of Lamb. Lockett could potentially be that guy. It is never clear what the Cowboys will do in free agency, but Lockett has pretty strong ties to the head coach in Dallas and that may increase the chances of him becoming a Cowboy. Brian Schottenheimer was his offensive coordinator in Seattle for three years. His veteran leadership and familiarity with the offense could make Lockett a very valuable addition to this Cowboys offense in 2025.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...e-javon-hargrave-tyler-lockett-osa-odighizuwa

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys sign veteran RB Javonte Williams to one-year deal

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

THE DALLAS COWBOYS GOT AN EXTERNAL FREE AGENT ON DAY 1!

The Dallas Cowboys get on the board on Day 1 of the NFL free agency in terms of adding outside help. Per Tom Pelissero, the Cowboys have agreed to a one-year deal with Javonte Williams worth $3 million with a max of $3.5 million with incentives.

Former #Broncos RB Javonte Williams is signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the #Cowboys, per sources. Max $3.5M with incentives. pic.twitter.com/nkMPB95Rsl

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2025​

Williams was drafted in the second round in 2021 by the Denver Broncos. He played in 54 games for the Broncos and logged 29 starts (24 in the last two seasons). Over his career, he's gained 2,394 yards and scored 11 touchdowns while averaging four yards per attempt. The best season for Williams came as a rookie when he had career highs is yards (903) and yards per attempt (4.4). The one major injury he had came in 2022 when he tore his ACL and LCL.

The Cowboys now have Williams, Deuce Vaughn, and Hunter Luepke on the roster with Rico Dowdle still a free agent. So, they certainly have more work to do at the running back position.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ck-javonte-williams-one-year-deal-rico-dowdle

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cornerback position higher on offseason priority list after Jourdan Lewis departure

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Jourdan Lewis departure increased the need for Dallas to improve at corner.

The Dallas Cowboys lost one of their best defenders on Monday. After playing with the Cowboys for eight seasons, Jourdan Lewis is headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year deal worth $30 million, and $20 million is guaranteed money. The former third-round pick was a steady and reliable part of the Cowboys' defense during his time there, and his new deal is well deserved. However, it makes cornerback even more important for the Cowboys going forward when it comes to offseason priorities going into the 2025 season.

As things stand at the moment, Trevon Diggs and how much he’ll be available are in question for next year due to having surgery on his left knee. DaRon Bland missed 10 games in 2024 due to a foot injury, so the Cowboys are waiting for him to get back to form, which will hopefully happen after a full offseason. Rookie Caelen Carson went down with a shoulder injury and had to be shut down, but he wasn't having a good first campaign when he did play. Josh Butler played in five games last season and showed some flashes, but he suffered a torn ACL in Week 13. Andrew Booth logged two starts in seven games last year, but his play was underwhelming. Lastly, there's Tony Pride, who is on the practice squad like Booth.

Bland is the only player to have any kind of good feeling about as far as the cornerback position in Dallas for 2025. Although it was always a key position for them to hit this offseason, the loss of Lewis enhances it. The Cowboys need to look at options in free agency and take one in the draft, preferably within the first three rounds.

The free agency frenzy has begun, so the Cowboys need to start picking up the phone and inquiring about some of the options that are available at cornerback.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ority-list-jourdan-lewis-free-agent-departure

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys free agency: Dallas agrees to terms with offensive lineman Rob Jones

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Cowboys have a new offensive lineman in Rob Jones.

The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with not one, but two different external free agents on the first day of legal tampering. This is very unlike them to say the least.

It was running back Javonte Williams who broke the seal on Monday evening, but later as the night wore on offensive lineman Robert Jones joined the party.

Former Dolphins free-agent offensive lineman Rob Jones reached agreement tonight with the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year deal worth up to $4.75 million. Deal negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus and Shawn O’Dare.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2025​

The Cowboys are in a situation where they need some more interior depth along the offensive line with Zack Martin having just retired and Jones can be an option there. From an offensive line standpoint overall, remember that Chuma Edoga left in free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars (where Jourdan Lewis also went).

All told this is a pretty standard depth move for the Cowboys. It is low risk and decent upside. There is general reason to be pleased, this is what free agency should be used for... filling would-be holes.

New Cowboys signing Robert Jones played 1022 snaps for the Dolphins last year.

Amongst guards he graded:
62nd in ESPN's pass block win rate
64th in run block win rate

This was out of 64 qualifying guards.

— Laurie Horesh (@LaurieHoresh) March 11, 2025​

We know that the Cowboys are not going to break the bank in free agency. But there are moves to be found that can help the team.

Hopefully this is one of those.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ct-offensive-lineman-rob-jones-dolphins-guard

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys free agency: Dallas loses Chauncey Golston to Giants

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Cowboys will see Chauncey Golston next season... as a member of the New York Giants

Free agency tampering is in full swing and the Dallas Cowboys are actually participating - a little. They have brought in two external free agents in RB Javonte Williams and offensive lineman Robert Jones. But they are also losing people. The latest free agent to get away is Chauncey Golston.

Former #Cowboys DE Chauncey Golston is signing with the #Giants on a three-year, $19.5 million deal, sources tell The Insiders.

Deal negotiated by @davidcanter and @nessmugrabi with @aurasportsgroup pic.twitter.com/nuPKlAHWDD

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2025​

Not only are they losing him, but he is moving to an NFC East rival, the New York Giants.

Golston had hung around the bottom of the Cowboys roster until last year when he had his best season. Injuries to guys like Sam Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons meant plenty of playing time for Golston. He took advantage with 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

The hope is that Sam Williams will be back this year, and DeMarcus Lawrence is still an option in free agency, as is Carl Lawson. The Cowboys will need to make some moves with little depth at the position at this moment.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...new-york-giants-demarcus-lawrence-carl-lawson

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: First wave of free agency creates even more roster needs, but help still available

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

The latest free agency Dallas Cowboys news is here.

Former Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis headed for Jaguars, becomes highest-paid nickel corner - RJ Ochoa, Blogging The Boys​

This would have been a tough deal for the Cowboys to beat, but it doesn’t make losing cornerback Jourdan Lewis any easier.

Money was, this is an assumption, likely an issue, especially with Lewis becoming the game’s highest-paid nickel corner. Jordan Schultz noted he is getting $30M over 3 years.

Lewis was one of the most veteran players on the Cowboys at this point as a third-round draft pick of the team in 2017. He has morphed over that time into one of the more reliable players of the last decade and has carved out quite a special spot in franchise history for himself.

The last few years have really seen Lewis prove how reliable and consistent he is, oftentimes at tasks that aren’t consistent themselves. He is the exact type of player you want on your team, on your defense and in your secondary in that he will do anything asked of him and to the highest possible level. He is this generation’s Orlando Scandrick in some sense.

It is difficult to watch him leave. He will be missed.

2025 NFL free agency: Jaguars signings tracker - Travis Holmes, Big Cat Country​

The Jaguars also signed Cowboys offensive tackle Chuma Edoga on Monday, cutting into Dallas’ depth on the OL.

New Additions

CB Jourdan Lewis: The former Dallas Cowboys cornerback will reportedly become the highest-paid nickel back in the NFL. The 29-year-old has 10 interceptions and 44 pass breakups in his eight years in the league. The deal will be three years, $30 million, with $20 million fully guaranteed. This may mean that standout rookie CB Jarrian Jones may be moving outside?

OT Chuma Edoga: The former Dallas Cowboys swing tackle is reportedly being brought in to likely compete in a similar role with Javon Foster and Cole Van Lanen. Edoga started 10 games over the past two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys.

Cowboys agree to deal with Javonte Williams - Josh Alper, PFT​

The team brought in a new running back.

The Cowboys want to be a better running team in 2025 and they are set to welcome a new running back to their bid to get there.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that they have agreed to sign former Bronco Javonte Williams as a free agent. Williams is signing a one-year, $3 million deal that has another $500,000 in incentives.

Williams ran for 903 yards as a rookie in 2021, but a torn ACL early in the 2022 season kept him from following up on that effort. He ran 217 times for 774 yards in 2023 and then slumped to 139 carries for 513 yards and four touchdowns last season.

Rico Dowdle is a free agent, so Williams will slot into the top spot in the Cowboys depth chart once his deal becomes official later this week.

Cowboys agree to terms on extension with long snapper Trent Sieg - Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com​

The Cowboys brought back their long-snapper.

The Cowboys and long snapper Trent Sieg have agreed on a contract extension. Sieg returning to Dallas keeps continuity in the kicking game for Brandon Aubrey going into 2025, a point of emphasis this offseason.

Sieg, 29, has spent the last two seasons in Dallas as the long snapper after the first five years of his career with the Las Vegas Raiders. For the first time in his tenure with the Cowboys, Sieg will work under a new special teams coordinator in Nick Sorensen.

Sorensen replaced John “Bones” Fassel who left the Cowboys to become the Tennessee Titans special teams coordinator in January. Since Sorensen arrived in Dallas, he’s heard nothing but good things about all of the players he’ll get to work with and now has one more in the boat.

“I haven’t found anyone that’s said a bad thing about them,” Sorenson said at his introductory press conference. “I really have a lot of respect for those guys. Obviously we’d love to have them back, and hopefully we can.”

Yes, the Cowboys can attack 2025 free agency with urgency as well as frugality. Will they? - Reid Hanson, The Cowboys Wire​

The Cowboys may not see free agency as a place to fill voids, but they can at least sign players that will be needed for a defense that suffered so many injuries a season ago.

Luckily for Dallas the stage is set in free agency to shake things up while also staying true to oneself. The Cowboys don’t have to break the bank in free agent bidding wars. They can be active early while also being cost conscious by staying modest in their desires.

The free agent class of 2025 has more than few big names hitting the market, but it also features a hefty cluster of affordable role players. Linebacker and defensive line are two areas where role players are plentiful. It just so happens role players are exactly what the Cowboys need from those position groups.

Linebacker has been identified as a major need and not one that requires a top-of-the-depth chart addition. Marist Liufau and DeMarvion Overshown are the future of the group, so the Cowboys just need an addition or two to bridge the gap and work the rotation.

While Nick Bolton and Ernest Jones draw most of the attention, players such as Devin Bush, Elandon Roberts and Eric Kendricks could provide the most bang for the buck this year. The Cowboys could use a veteran linebacker to hold things down on defense and each one of these affordable players are coming off fairly successful seasons. All three are over the age of 30 which limits the expected length and dollar figure of their upcoming deals. Pro Football Focus has run through salary expectations for this year’s top players and none of these three LBs are predicted to get deals exceeding $4 million per season.

Defensive line is a similarly situated position group. Haason Reddick, Milton Williams and Chase Young get most of the attention but a tier or two below them is where the real value is at. Calais Campbell, Poona Ford, Teair Tart, Joshua Uche and Dennis Gardeck are just a handful of the defensive line free agents predicted to make less than what the Cowboys’ own free agent Chauncey Golston is expected to command.

Rams will release Cooper Kupp this week minus an unlikely trade partner - Charean Williams, Pro Football Talk​

The Rams added Davante Adams earlier this week, and now the rumors about where Cooper Kupp will play in 2025 can circulate again. Should Dallas be in the mix?

General Manager Les Snead said last week that Kupp’s return to the team was the “least likely” option for the team. Kupp is scheduled to have a cap number of $29.8 million in 2025 with a base salary of $12.5 million and $5 million guaranteed.

He is due a roster bonus of $7.5 million on March 16, so a decision on Kupp’s future always was expected this week.

The Rams already have replaced him by agreeing to terms with free agent wide receiver Davante Adams.

Kupp, 31, has battled injuries the past three seasons, appearing in 33 games. In 12 games in 2024, he caught 67 passes for 710 yards and six touchdowns. He added six receptions for 90 yards in two postseason games.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ds-jourdan-lewis-javonte-williams-cooper-kupp

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys chance to learn roster-building lesson arises with DTs Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave in free agency

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Defensive tackle remains a need for the Dallas Cowboys.

[UPDATE]: Jonathan Allen has reached a 3-year, $60 million deal with the Vikings.

---

The start of NFL free agency is here, and so too is the time for the Dallas Cowboys to prove they are more willing to use this all-important phase to better their roster. Team VP Stephen Jones’ initial catchphrase of claiming the Cowboys would be “selectively aggressive” was quickly twisted by GM and owner Jerry Jones who more recently said he personally doesn’t see free agency as the way to “fill voids” on a roster with plenty of them. The Cowboys not using the open market to fill voids would certainly be status quo from last offseason, where their stark inactivity led directly to the team having a losing record for the first time since 2020 at 7-10. A lot of what the Cowboys have done so far leading up to free agency and the draft has sent the message that finishing third in the NFC East was unacceptable, mainly moving on from HC Mike McCarthy and DC Mike Zimmer. Starting now, none of this will matter so much if all avenues of player acquisition aren’t utilized to close the gap between Dallas and Philadelphia and Washington.

Another area the Cowboys have tried to show they’ve learned something of a lesson ahead of free agency this offseason is by not waiting to get contract extensions done with their best players, especially ones at big money positions. Last offseason it was quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb who waited on deals, but this year defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa was taken care of early to become a very important set piece on the interior of Matt Eberflus’ defense.

The next obvious step the Cowboys can take to show they are serious about fielding the best team going forward is staring them in the face right from the green flag wave of free agency. We’ve mentioned before how this team won’t be able to replicate all of the ways the Eagles operated at a championship level, but that one lesson they can learn from Philly (gross, I know) is how to not settle at positions with proven talent and stack them into being a dominant team strength. This would directly contrast how the Cowboys have roster built as of late, not supporting Lamb with a consistent second receiver or playing Prescott in the first year of his new deal behind an offensive line with two rookie starters and, at the time he was available to play, a nonexistent run game.

The 2024 Cowboys were one of the worst prepared teams to deal with the injury attrition of a long season, which bit them hard all year and made the team borderline unwatchable for long stretches of time. Defensive tackle was another good example of this, where Dallas waited until nearly the start of the regular season to bring in veterans Jordan Phillips and Linval Joseph. Neither player stood a good chance of being ready to play meaningful snaps in Zimmer’s system early on, and even with Joseph’s past experience in the scheme he never played more than 29 snaps in a game. Phillips was released in November after appearing in the first two games of the season.

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

There is little excuse for the Cowboys to not realize that Odighizuwa cannot carry this position group by himself, even with some of the steady progress Mazi Smith has made alongside him to give the Cowboys at least two starting caliber defensive tackles. Carlos Watkins, Justin Rogers, and Ernest Brown are the only other DTs currently under contract.

New head coach Brian Schottenheimer was here for the entire Mike McCarthy era, having a front row seat for all the times the former HC paraded the halls of The Star and swore he would make this team more physical and tough-nosed. Being left with a rebuilding offensive line, no established running backs under contract, and this group of defensive tackles clearly showed that McCarthy’s plan failed at the end of his contract. Schottenheimer and his staff have already laid out the ground work for how they plan on addressing both the run game and offensive line, but defensive tackle will take more cohesion and support from the front office. Two very intriguing veteran options were released from teams Dallas is very familiar with at the start of March. Former Washington Commanders stalwart Jonathan Allen is now on the market (he is visiting the Vikings), along with former San Francisco 49ers DT Javon Hargrave.

Both players made NFL.com’s top five available defensive linemen in free agency this offseason. Hargrave had his season cut short after a triceps tear in week three, but prior to that played in at least 16 games from 2021-23. Two of these seasons came with the Eagles, where he had nine combined tackles and two sacks in three games against the Cowboys. Turning 32 last month, Hargrave is a two-time Pro Bowler as a third-round pick out of South Carolina State. This is a player that’s made a name for himself with a plus motor as a pass rusher, toughness against the run for his size, and a knack for being in the right position at the right times to clean up plays.

Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

Hargrave has direct experience playing under new Cowboys special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen, who was a defensive pass game specialist for the 49ers when Hargrave arrived and then defensive coordinator last season. Hargrave seldom plays on special teams, but for a team that seemingly looks for any reason to justify not bringing in an outside free agent, the Cowboys being able to get a scout on the player from one of their own coaches is important. Hargrave and Odghizuwa paired together would give Dallas a real pass rush group to win on the interior and at least put some fear in opposing teams that pressure can come from more than just Micah Parsons on the edge.

Then there is a player the Cowboys are even more familiar with, veteran Jonathan Allen. Playing his entire career so far as a 2017 first-round pick to Washington, Allen is now available in free agency after one year under former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. The Commanders could not find a trade partner for the 30-year old tackle who only appeared in eight games last season. There is hardly any reason to think Allen cannot still help a team, having at least 10 tackles for loss and five and a half sacks the previous three seasons when he played at least 16 games each time. Allen came back from a torn pectoral muscle that could have easily been season ending to play in the Commanders final two games of the regular season, recording a sack in the finale against the Cowboys. He then played through the entire miraculous three-game playoff stretch the Commanders went on all the way to the NFC Championship game.

Cowboys fans will be familiar with how Quinn never preferred having big defensive linemen like Allen, but surrounded by plenty of former Cowboys that the Commanders HC brought over, Allen was still successful. Allen can be a scheme fit anywhere with his ability to shed blocks quickly, play with elite pad level, and finish at the point of attack. His strong hands and lateral quickness make him a nightmare for opposing guards and centers to deal with. For a Cowboys team with so many concerns at linebacker right now, a player like Allen could also go a long way in keeping opposing linemen from climbing to the second level and attacking these linebackers, freeing them up to develop by staying clean and making plays.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Cowboys can partially thank the recently retired Zack Martin as to why Allen didn’t rack up more stats in ten career games against the Cowboys, but the former Alabama star has still averaged over six sacks and 63 tackles a year since coming into the league in 2017. The Cowboys have shown a preference to bring in former first-round picks in the past, and doing so at a position they don’t often value enough to use a top pick on themselves makes a lot of sense in this situation.

Monitoring what the Cowboys do at defensive tackle will be one of the most telling signs of if anything has truly changed with this franchise’s approach to the offseason. With an almost entirely new coaching staff pouring over the current roster with fresh eyes to evaluate where upgrades are needed, the Cowboys have already taken one positive step in giving Eberflus a star defensive tackle to work with in Odighizuwa. The 3-technique position Odighizuwa plays is valued highly in Eberflus’ scheme, so much so that Odighizuwa shouldn’t be the only reliable player here. The Cowboys arriving at offseason workouts and desperately selling the fanbase on not only having Odighizuwa but Mazi Smith to feel good about at defensive tackle is sadly predictable. Conversely, the Cowboys starting this new page turn to the Schottenheimer era by prioritizing a position they haven’t in some time, doing so in a way that directly supports the latest player they’ve made a big financial commitment to, and adding an established player like Hargrave or Allen would be real progress in the right direction.

Dallas did meet with top defensive tackles Walter Nolan, Kenneth Grant, and Alfred Collins at the combine, but keeping the board as open as possible with the 12th overall pick needs to be a goal for a team with more pressing needs than just defensive tackle. The defensive line group as a whole is strong in this year’s draft, which might buy Dallas just enough time in the first wave of free agency to not miss out on either Allen or Hargrave coming off the board to any other team much more accustomed to being aggressive early on in the signing period.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...len-javon-hargrave-free-agency-osa-odighizuwa

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys free agency: Dallas agrees to terms with defensive tackle Solomon Thomas

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The Cowboys have a new defensive tackle in Solomon Thomas.

The Dallas Cowboys are on the board on the second day of legal tampering! Word broke early Tuesday morning that Dallas agreed to terms with defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.

Former Jets DT Solomon Thomas reached agreement today on a two-year deal with a max value of $8 million with the Dallas Cowboys, per source. Dallas is home for Thomas, and now he gets to go back.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2025​

Thomas was once the third overall pick of the NFL draft back in 2017, but he has spent the last few years working with the New York Jets. Aaron Whitecotton is the new Cowboys defensive line coach and comes to the team from having just worked with the Jets as well. It stands to reason the connection was of importance, or at least mild significance.

Thomas is the third external free agent who the Cowboys have agreed to terms with at this early point in the process as on Monday they agreed to terms with running back Javonte Williams and offensive lineman Rob Jones.

It sounds hyperbolic, but this is significantly more activity at this point in the game than the Cowboys have shown in the past. No one is getting ahead of themselves, but this is different in an objective sense. We will see what it all yields.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...olomon-thomas-agree-to-terms-defensive-tackle

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

What the Cowboys are getting in new RB Javonte Williams

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The Dallas Cowboys added some much needed help in the backfield to start free agency.

For the second straight offseason, the Dallas Cowboys entered free agency with a dire need at running back. With the theme of this current offseason being the organization showing they’ve learned some tough lessons from the 2024 season, the Cowboys broke character and actually addressed running back this time around on day one of free agency.

On the same day cornerback somewhat surprisingly became a much more pressing need after Jourdan Lewis signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cowboys at least did something about an already dire position by adding former Denver Broncos RB Javonte Williams on a one-year deal. Williams joins Deuce Vaughn and fullback Hunter Luepke as potential ball carriers now under contract going into 2025, although the door is very much still open for Rico Dowdle to return as well.

Just around this time last year, the Cowboys sent a stern message that fans should brace for a whole lot of nothing in free agency, even at positions of need, when FA running back Zach Moss signed a two-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts worth a total of $8 million. The Cowboys infamously called this price tag too expensive, and without knowing it at the time all but waved goodbye to fielding a competitive run game in Mike McCarthy’s final season as head coach. Now, they’ve given the 24-year-old back who will turn 25 on the second day of this year’s draft a one-year deal worth a base of $3 million and maximum of $3.5 million.

Williams was a second-round pick of the Broncos in 2021 under then head coach Vic Fangio and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Starting just one game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Williams still averaged just shy of 12 attempts a game and set career highs he’s yet to eclipse in yards with 903, rushing touchdowns with four, receiving touchdowns with three, yards per game with 53.1, and yards per attempt at 4.4. Williams played in four games before tearing his ACL in his second season under new coaches Nate Hackett and OC Justin Outten, but bounced back to start 13 games in 2023 and 11 games last season for Sean Payton and Joe Lombardi. The variety of offensive minds he has played under should be a positive as the entirety of the Cowboys roster on this side of the ball looks to quickly adjust to a new play-caller, coordinator, and position coaches everywhere but tight end.

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This is a player that has always served in a complementary role, and his arrival in Dallas could be the first sign the Cowboys are looking to rethink yet another committee approach to their run game under Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams. Williams and Melvin Gordon perfectly split carries with 203 a piece in Williams’ rookie season. After coming back from injury two seasons later, Williams was the lead back for what turned out to be Russell Wilson’s final season with the Broncos. The amount of dysfunction they experienced on this side of the ball all year makes it hard to evaluate any individual performances, but Williams toted the rock 217 times with Jaleel McLaughlin being the next closest back at 76 carries.

The Broncos got back to a great balance with rookie QB Bo Nix under center in 2024, but Williams still led the way with 139 carries for 513 yards in 11 starts. With the limited information the Cowboys have made public about the new vision for their offense moving forward, creating the same types of easy completions and high percentage throws that saw Nix go to the playoffs in his first season is an apparent priority for Dak Prescott. Pairing him with a running back of Williams’ style who is more than capable of getting what is blocked for him on any given play as well as fluid catching the ball out of the backfield is a positive step here.

Williams is a stout back with an upright running style who runs north and south and shows above average wiggle between the tackles to evade arm tackles. When given some open space, Williams is not afraid to lower his shoulder and push for extra yards. This is a player that identifies holes quickly and can cut off of blocks from pulling linemen with top end balance and a smooth stride. Getting the offensive line out in space is another thing expected to be featured more again under new OC Klayton Adams, and Williams is the type of dual-threat back that fits what Adams is looking for based on the types of players he previously worked with in Arizona like James Conner.

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There are some similarities between the way Williams runs compared to Rico Dowdle once Dowdle was given the opportunity to be the featured back in the second half of last season. Dowdle’s physicality and ability to put the offense on schedule opposed to behind the chains was sorely needed. Williams can do some of the same things. If the Cowboys vision is to truly pair Williams and Dowdle together in a tandem, with Vaughn as a third option, they should have great continuity up and down the depth chart at running back to call a lot of the same plays no matter who is in the game. This will also go a very long way in helping Schottenheimer achieve the “marriage” he’s spoken to between the Cowboys run, pass, and play-action concepts to all look the same.

Williams led the way for the Broncos in one career game against the Cowboys back in 2021 with 111 yards on 17 carries in a runaway win for Denver, 30-16. Something of a dark spot of a game in recent Dallas history, they trailed 30-0 at home late in the fourth quarter. This was Williams’ first 100 yard rushing game of his career, something he would do again four weeks later against the Chiefs. It was also his first two touchdown game of his career, and to this day the only time he’s rushed for two touchdowns in a game. Also later in his rookie season, Williams did have one rushing touchdown and one receiving in a similar blowout win against the Lions. He was named to the Pro Football Writer’s Association All-Rookie team after the season.

Javonte Williams is no stranger to balling out at AT&T Stadium

He racked up 111 yards and 2 TDs against the Cowboys as a rookie pic.twitter.com/kWOUVO0i3f

— DraftKings Network (@DKNetwork) March 10, 2025​

The Cowboys shouldn’t mistake this move as the only thing needed to feel good about their run game going into next season, but from the state the backfield was in entering free agency, any addition was a welcome one. The fact the Cowboys made this move on the first day of free agency and got a player that appears to be a natural scheme fit with experience playing in a committee and under numerous offensive coaches are all things worth commending as free agency rolls on.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ack-javonte-williams-rico-dowdle-deuve-vaughn