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The Dallas Cowboys Free Agents: Who Goes, Who Stays

By Carl Daley

Jul 29, 2016, Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones (left) and owner Jerry Jones at press conference at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016, Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones (left) and owner Jerry Jones at press conference at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain (97) and strong safety J.J. Wilcox (27) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain (97) and strong safety J.J. Wilcox (27) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Free Agents

The defensive side of the football has some major holes the Cowboys will have to focus on this offseason. They will have a slew of defensive players hitting free agency and will need to carefully choose which ones to re-sign.

The Cowboys will see three defensive tackles in Terrell McClain, Richard Ash and Jack Crawford hit free agency, two of which they should be able to re-sign fairly easily.

McClain has played well as a quality role player and will continue to effectively stop opposing running backs as well as generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. McClain may generate a bigger salary than the other two players mentioned but the extra money could be worth it.

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The Cowboys will see defensive end Ryan Davis become a free agent however he too should also be fairly easy to ink a deal with. The linebackers and the secondary is where we see the real question marks pop up. Dallas will have three linebackers hit free agency as Andrew Gachkar, Justin Durant, and Rolando McClain’s contracts will expire.

Durant is really the only player out of the bunch I would look to re-sign as he has been the most effective on the field. McClain’s time with the franchise is clearly over after he decided to ruin his chances of landing a big contract after being suspended.

The only way the Cowboys would bring him back is for a team friendly deal however their patience has probably run out with the former first round pick.

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