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Dallas Cowboys to make first FA signing, linebacker Joe Thomas

By Steven Mullenax

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 28: Dorial Green-Beckham #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball after a catch and is tackled by Joe Thomas #48 of the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 28, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 28: Dorial Green-Beckham #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball after a catch and is tackled by Joe Thomas #48 of the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 28, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Cowboys should make their first free agency signing soon, more than a week after the NFL market opened last Wednesday.

The Dallas Cowboys are set to make their first free agent signing of the offseason from a team other than their own. Ironically, it’s for a former member of their own practice squad.

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys have reached a two-year agreement with former Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas. An undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State in 2014, Thomas spent his rookie season in Green Bay.

The following year, the Cowboy signed Thomas to their practice squad after final cuts. Just two weeks later, the Packers signed him back onto their active roster. Thomas has been in Green Bay ever since.

A core special teams player, the reserve linebacker surprisingly started seven games for the Packers in 2016, racking up a career-high 70 total tackles, five pass defends and an interception that season. Last year, Thomas return to his backup role posting 14 total tackles in 12 games.

Thomas is expected to help fill the voids of veteran linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Kyle Wilber, both of whom left the team this offseason via free agency. Hitchens joined the Kansas City Chiefs after signing a five-year, $45 million contract last week. Wilber rejoined former Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia and signed with the Oakland Raiders over the weekend.

With injury concerns surrounding All-Pro linebacker Sean Lee and former second round selection Jaylon Smith, combined with the inconsistent play of backup Damien Wilson, Joe Thomas may be forced to play a major role for the Cowboys in 2018.

Next: Dallas Cowboys 2018 NFL Draft - 7 round mock 3.0

Let’s hope this is only the start for the Dallas Cowboys when it comes to veteran signings, as they currently remain the only team in the NFL who hasn’t signed a single player from another team since the free agency market open last Wednesday. The expected signing of Thomas could open the floodgates in Dallas, allowing them to fill some of the bigger voids on their roster.

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