Dallas Cowboys Free Agency Options: Who to keep around

With twenty-one free agents heading into 2017, the Dallas Cowboys have a lot of decisions to make as far as which known entities return to wear the Star.

An article centered around free agency is not one that I wanted to write today.

Today was going to be all about what the Dallas Cowboys need to do to beat the Falcons. Instead, while the NFC Championship game is about to go down, we’re talking about next year.

The first order of business for the Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2017 season will be to assess which of their own free agents they might want to bring back.

Dallas has 21 free agents in total heading into the offseason. Of those twenty-one, all but three are unrestricted.

Before we get to those who can leave for nothing, let’s quickly discuss the three that cannot.

Defensive linemen Ryan Davis, Richard Ash and David Irving are all limited as to just how free they really are. Davis and Ash are restricted free agents. While there are several intricacies that go with that title, this discussion will be fairly simple thankfully.

Since neither Davis, nor Ash registered a sack in the eleven combined games they played in, it’s safe to say if someone wants to sign them, the Cowboys won’t bat an eye at it.

Irving, meanwhile, is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent. Long story short, he’s not going anywhere. His two options are to either accept whatever the Cowboys offer him or sit out the season. Like the Terminator, he’ll be back.

That leads us to the eighteen guys that are unrestricted.

Here are the names that comprise that list in order of their age, from youngest to oldest.

Gavin Escobar, TE. Morris Claiborne, CB. Lance Dunbar, RB. Brice Butler, WR. Rolando McClain, LB. Ronald Leary, G. Josh Thomas, CB. Terrance Williams, WR. Kellen Moore, QB. J.J. Wilcox, S. Barry Church, S. Andrew Gachkar, LB. Jack Crawford, DE. Terrell McClain, DT. Darren McFadden, RB. Brandon Carr, CB. Mark Sanchez, QB. Justin Durant, LB.

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Surprisingly, there are a lot of key contributors on this list.

For example, sixty percent of the starting defensive backfield could go through an overhaul if Dallas does not bring back Carr, Claiborne or Church. In addition, Wilcox had probably his best year as a Cowboy.

It is true that Dallas has rookies at cornerback in Anthony Brown and safety in Kavon Frazier to help offset some loss. Still, it’s almost a certainty that at least one of the four free agents are back.

At linebacker, McClain may never play in the league again. It is also likely neither Gachkar or Durant will return due to the improvement of second year player Damien Wilson. There is also the hope that Jaylon Smith can contribute next year which will help offset that loss as well.

Lastly, in regard to the defense, both Crawford and McClain should return as long as the price tag is right. Crawford is the type of overachiever that is perfect for a Rod Marinelli-coached defense. McClain also had a career year and really became a “glue guy” in the locker room. It’s hard to put a price on those things, especially when the player is productive as well.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Gavin Escobar experience should come to an end. With Geoff Swaim, James Hanna and Rico Gathers all behind the immortal Jason Witten, there is no need for him.

Guard Ron Leary is all but certainly also not coming back. In his case, it makes no sense for the Cowboys to pay him what he will likely command on the open market. La’El Collins will be back for 2017 and the Cowboys are kicking the tires so to speak with former first round pick Jonathan Cooper.

As for the other six guys, each position has two guys from which to choose. Do the Cowboys bring back Butler or Williams? Dunbar or McFadden? Moore or Sanchez?

I’ll discuss these decisions in their own columns over the next few weeks.

Until then, it’s a guarantee that there will be new faces at The Star in 2017.

Next: Dallas Cowboys - 5 Best Free Agent Signings Of All Time

Davis, Ash, Escobar, McClain, Leary, Thomas, Gachkar and Justin Durant most likely will not return.

Claiborne, Wilcox, Church, Crawford, McClain and Carr could all possibly return.

As for the others, stay tuned.

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Dallas Cowboys Free Agency Options: Who to keep?

By Tyrone Starr | Jan 22, 2017

With twenty-one free agents heading into 2017, the Dallas Cowboys have a lot of decisions to make as far as which known entities return to wear the Star.

More from The Landry Hat