Dallas Cowboys: Are there any free agent cornerback options that make sense?
By Carl Daley
The Dallas Cowboys will likely be looking for some cornerbacks this offseason. Here are some options they could bring in during free agency.
The Dallas Cowboys are currently facing some significant changes to their secondary. Two of the team’s starting cornerbacks (Brandon Carr/Morris Claiborne) and their starting strong safety (Barry Church) will all potentially hit free agency. This could mean the franchise could opt to make a significant investment to fill those positions during the offseason.
The Cowboys do have a talented, young cornerback in Anthony Brown who could earn a starting role in the upcoming season. But serious depth is still needed at the position. And although this year’s crop of free agent cornerbacks is looking fairly deep, they might come with a steep price tag as they could all be a bit overpriced (which is typically the case every season).
This year, it could be some of the Cowboys own players who get bigger offers elsewhere. Dallas did have a particularly productive season with their defensive backs, particularly Morris Claiborne.
Before Claiborne was injured, the Cowboys former first round pick was having the best season of his career. In a cornerback starved league, the free agent’s price could be a little inflated. His inconsistency may cause Dallas to not engage in a bidding war for his services. But it is still possible they can attempt to get something done in house.
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Brandon Carr is in a similar situation however he is not directly an impactful cornerback he is just incredibly reliable. Carr was on the field constantly for the Cowboys and that type of health and consistency is hard to find in the NFL. He was contemplating retirement at the end of the Cowboys playoff run so it is possible he signs a short term contract with the team to avoid an uncertain future in free agency.
As we look at the free agent crop, there are no cornerbacks that are worth breaking the bank over. Los Angeles Rams cornerback, Trumaine Johnson should be the highest paid player at the position during free agency so the Cowboys will likely miss out on him. Green Bay’s Sam Shields is an interesting option.
He could not finish the season thanks to a concussion that took him out of action but if he is 100 percent healthy by the time free agency occurs the Cowboys could take a chance on him. Minnesota’s Captain Munnerlyn is another interesting option for Dallas as they could use a veteran cornerback to help stabilize their defensive backfield.
The Cowboys could also pursue some young corners in free agency that have shown tremendous promise. Houston’s AJ Bouye and Buffalo’s Stephon Gilmore could be diamonds in the rough as the Cowboys attempt to find a highly productive cornerback. The team could sign either player if their price is not driven up by demand.
There is also New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan who will is only 26 and could be a productive addition to the Cowboys secondary.The Cowboys will be working with some wiggle room in terms of the salary cap especially after Romo re-structures his contract for a trade or release.
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Lastly there a veteran guys that have had experience in the Cowboys system. Cornerbacks, Sterling Moore, Corey White, Mike Jenkins, and Terence Newman are all hitting the open market this offseason and that could lead so a reunion with Dallas. Likely available at a discount the team should bring in several former players to see if they could help out the franchise in the upcoming season.