Where do the Dallas Cowboys stand after their free agent signings?
With the Dallas Cowboys now making their move in free agency, have they created more questions than answers with their acquisitions?
The biggest splash in free agency the Dallas Cowboys were able to make this offseason was the signing of free agent wide receiver Allen Hurns. And with all things considered it was an impressive signing given the lack of guaranteed money Hurns was offered from the Cowboys along with the fact the New York Jets reportedly offered a substantial amount more money up front.
But what does bringing in Hurns mean for the current Cowboys group of receivers? The elephant in the room that needs to be addressed first and foremost is the highly speculated future of Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant. Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones had made it clear that Hurns was brought in to supplement Bryant and not replace him.
However, the much-anticipated conversation between Bryant’s reps and the Joneses regarding his cap hit this upcoming season has not happened up to this point. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has stated this week at the annual NFL meetings that that specific conversation “needs to happen” and is expected to happen in “the next week or so.”
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While Hurns and Bryant have similar qualities on the field, the possible odd men out currently have to be wide receivers Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley. The Cowboys are currently sitting with six receivers on their roster and will not be heading into training camp with that number.
Hurns has the ability to fill the voids left behind by either Williams or Beasley given his experience playing both the X-receiver and slot receiver positions in Jacksonville.
Not only are Williams and Beasley both possible departures from a schematic standpoint, their contracts are not helping their cause either. The Cowboys would be saving $3.25 million by releasing Beasley while Williams current cap hit of $4.75 million makes him a possible trade candidate. Releasing Williams does not make any sense financially as he is carrying a $7.25 million cap hit in dead money if released.
Another free agent signing raising questions is the signing of tackle Cameron Fleming. What does the signing of Fleming mean for current right tackle La’el Collins? Could the Cowboys be looking to move Collins back inside to left guard and have Fleming move to right tackle?
To raise even more questions around their offensive line the Cowboys signed guard Marcus Martin to supposedly bolster the depth of their interior line. Will Martin be starting at left guard while leaving Collins at right tackle and have Fleming serve as their much-needed swing tackle?
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A lot of the questions that have been raised by their free agent signings will be cleared up after the NFL draft in April. If the Dallas Cowboys end up taking a receiver like Alabama’s Calvin Ridley or Maryland’s D.J. Moore high in the first round, that will speak volumes to Bryant’s future with the Cowboys. And if they end up taking someone like UTEP guard Will Hernandez instead, that will answer all of our questions about where La’el Collins will be lined up this coming season.