Will the Dallas Cowboys go after a top free agent?
Although they have been bargain hunters in the past, is this the offseason the Dallas Cowboys dip into free agency to find themselves a quality contributor?
For the past few years, the Dallas Cowboys have adopted a very conservative philosophy when it comes to building their roster. Gone are the days were wild west owner Jerry Jones would rope in pricey free agents. Instead, the Cowboys have decided to build their team primarily through the draft.
Dallas’ front office mostly uses free agency now like a bargain bin, dipping in occasionally and fishing out a young, unproven prospect or two. For the most part, the Cowboys use free agency to churn the bottom of their roster, hoping to find a hidden gem.
If Dallas does add a veteran player, it’s usually someone that’s inexpensive, a career role player or a former high draft pick who never lived up to their billing. It seems like the concept of bringing a quality free agent who can actually become a star on the team is an absolute foreign concept to this current regime.
But just maybe, the Cowboys brass learned a valuable lesson from last season. In 2017, Dallas brought in free agent veterans like cornerback Nolan Carroll, defensive tackle Stephen Paea, defensive end Damontre Moore and safety Robert Blanton. By midseason, every single one of them was off the team. It was a complete disaster.
But also, kinda par for the course. The offseason before, Dallas brought in former Philadelphia defensive tackle Cedric Thornton on a four-year, $18 million deal. Thornton was released during final cuts last September.
The Cowboys shopping the clearance aisles for free agents has resulted in some terrible signings. An, at some poin,t Dallas has to learn that building a roster is about balance. Completing ignoring free agents that can help your team simply because of their price tag isn’t always the wisest course of action.
That being said, the Cowboys do have various needs to address on their roster this offseason. And how they decide to deal with their own free agents could shift the importance of those needs drastically.
Does that mean the Cowboys could actually be players when the free agent market kicks off in March? Maybe. Let’s take a look at some of the bigger names Dallas might considered digging deep into their wallets for in 2018.
According to NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal, here are just some of the top 25 free agents scheduled to hit the open market this offseason.
6. Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
8. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Seattle Seahawks
9. Ziggy Ansah, DE, Detroit Lions
10. Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins
11. Sammy Watkins, WR, Los Angeles Rams
12. Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Los Angeles Rams
13. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Los Angeles Rams
15. Andrew Norwell, G, Carolina Panthers
16. Malcolm Butler, CB, New England Patroits
17. Dontari Poe, DT, Atlanta Falcons
19. Justin Pugh, G, New York Giants
20. Nate Solder, T, New England Patroits
22. Star Lotulelei, DT, Carolina Panthers
23. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Washington Redskins
24. Morgan Burnett, S, Green Bay Packers
Next: Cowboys coaching staff beginning to take shape
If the Dallas Cowboys decide to move on from wide receiver Dez Bryant this offseason, then clearly names like Allen Robinson, Jarvis Landry and Sammy Watkins could become possibilities. With Jonathan Cooper a free agent as well, Andrew Norwell and Justin Pugh could be starters at left guard. Maybe the Cowboys want a veteran presence to replace Byron Jones at safety. Why not Morgan Burnett? And Dallas does need a defensive tackle. Would Dontari Poe work? He probably would.