Dallas Cowboys: Free agent signing recap and grades
Over the past week, the Dallas Cowboys have been very active in free agency. Let’s take a look at the players signed and grade the moves taken.
The Dallas Cowboys have made several moves in the month of March to improve their roster. This after having not acquired a single veteran from another team through the first full week of free agency.
Let’s take a deeper look at each of these moves and grade them.
Jamize Olawale, FB
First up is a player the Cowboys are familiar with and traded for, Jamize Olawale. While Olawale may not seem like a flashy player to trade for, he is a reliable fullback that can block for Ezekiel Elliott and pass protect for Dak Prescott.
Olawale can be used as a running back and receiver out of the backfield. His career stat lines are 55 carries for 206 yards, 39 receptions for 425 yards, and 7 touchdowns in 77 games.
Grade: B
Olawale is an upgrade over Keith Smith due to his dual-threat ability out of the backfield.
Joe Thomas, LB
Next up is a linebacker, Joe Thomas formally with the Green Bay Packers. Thomas is another player the Cowboys are familiar with. Brought in as more of a signing for depth and special teams. He is a serviceable linebacker with starting experience when he is needed to play in emergency situations. His career stat lines are 88 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception in 42 games.
Grade: C-
Thomas is an upgrade over Kyle Wilber due to his ability to play all three linebacker positions.
Deonte Thompson, WR
Deonte Thompson was the third free agent to sign with the Cowboys. Known more for his ability to take the top off defenses, Thompson also has the ability to play special teams as a kick returner. The Cowboys have been missing a player like Thompson that can scare defenses with speed but also block well. Thompson’s stat lines are 79 receptions, 1,055 yards, and 4 touchdowns in 54 games.
Grade: C+
Thompson will have the same role as Brice Butler. Hopefully, he can be more consistent.
Allen Hurns, WR
Allen Hurns would seemingly be the big free agent signing for the Cowboys this offseason. Hurns is a player that fits well in the Cowboys passing scheme. He is tall, strong, fast, and unlike some other Cowboy receivers, he can catch with his hand and he isn’t limited in the routes he can run. Hurn’s stat lines are 196 receptions, 2,761 yards, 21 touchdowns in 55 games.
Grade: A
Hurn’s signing gives the Cowboys a nice complement to Dez Bryant on the outside.
Cameron Fleming, OT
I will say this now Cameron Fleming is the most underrated signing for the Cowboys this offseason. The former New England Patriot brings experience and more importantly the ability to play both tackle positions. Tyron Smith’s back has bothered him over the past two years and signing Fleming will give the Cowboys insurance. After the horrible play of Chaz Green and Byron Bell last season the Cowboys really needed to get a player like Fleming.
Grade: A+
Fleming is a major upgrade over both Chaz Green and Byron Bell.
Marcus Martin, OG
Marcus Martin is a player that gives the Cowboys depth and position flex that they love to talk about. Martin has experience at both the guard and center positions. He will have the chance to compete for the left guard position but don’t be surprised if he is a camp casualty. The recently re-signed Joe Looney, and a possible draft pick will fight it out with Martin for starting and back up rolls.
Grade: D
Martin isn’t an upgrade over Jonathan Cooper and will most likely be cut.
Next: Dallas Cowboys - 5 post-free agency draft needs
The Dallas Cowboys have done a good job in finding free agent talent this year. Maybe there are more to come but for now, we will just have to wait and see. How would you grade the Cowboys free agent signings so far?
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