Dallas Cowboys finally active in Free Agency with Randall Cobb
The Dallas Cowboys finally made some signings in free agency. Although I like the moves, the contracts they are handing out are puzzling.
Proving that complaining on the internet really works, the Dallas Cowboys finally made moves in free agency! The Cowboys have recently signed two wide receivers to one-year deals. Randall Cobb joins the team after playing for the Green Bay Packers. Tavon Austin is remaining with the Cowboys for another year. Personally, I like the selections, but the length of the contracts is puzzling.
Austin recently turned 28-years old this March and injuries limited him to seven games last season. When healthy, he was clearly an upgrade at the slot receiver position because the Cowboys were willing to send him on deep routes.
The Cowboys former slot receiver, Cole Beasley, 29, who will be playing for the Buffalo Bills next season, was rarely used to stretch the field. Austin also proved to be better than Beasley as a punt returner. Far too often, special teams and the Cowboys’ starting field position suffered because Beasley would call for a fair catch before the ball was punted.
Randall Cobb will be 29-years old in August and a hamstring injury limited him to nine games last season. Cobb signed a one year contract for $5 million. Austin’s contract numbers haven’t been reported, but last season he played for $3 million.
As a veteran, Cobb seems like a good fit with the Cowboys currently young receiving group. Amari Cooper is 24-years old, while Michael Gallup is 23-years of age. It is a theory of mine that younger players always benefit and develop faster while learning from a team first veteran at their position.
I don’t have any problem with Cobb or Austin maybe wanting to prove themselves. I just question why the Cowboys front office didn’t fight stronger for two year deals. A two year deal provides security at the position. Next season, the team will be seeking help at the slot position and it will seem like deja vu all over again. Is there a great slot receiver in the 2019 NFL Draft that might fall to the Cowboys?
Two year contracts are also salary cap friendly. Depending on the receivers performance, a two-year deal allows the player to get released or possibly become trade bait. I’m not a salary cap guru, but contract numbers are easily and constantly manipulated with the size of signing bonuses, roster bonuses and performance escalators.
The one year deal is bad if it takes a few weeks into the season before Cobb and Austin develop chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott. A one year deal restricts the possibility of the players growing together.
With new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore aka K-Dot aka Mr. Should Be Undefeated with 53 wins as a college quarterback, it’s possible that every receiver on the roster could have 6,500 receiving yards. If the Cowboys passing attack becomes great again, the price to retain the magic ingredients will increase dramatically.
In 2020, the Cowboys free agent list could include Prescott, receiver Amari Cooper, safety Kavon Frazier, tight end Blake Jarwin, linebacker Jaylon Smith, cornerbacks Byron Jones and Anthony Brown, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and future Hall of Fame safety Jeff Heath.
I understand that in the new NFL, everyone except quarterbacks are over the hill at age 30. Arizona Cardinals future Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald will be 36 years old in August. He signed a contract for one year, $11 million dollars. Cowboys future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten signed a one year contract for $4.75 million dollars at the age of 37. Yes, 37!
Austin and Cobb aren’t near or over the age of 35 like Fitzgerald and Witten. I know they are older and perhaps ready to fight the injury prone tag. As one of many Facebook NFL general managers, I would have been comfortable offering a two or three year contract knowing that little is guaranteed in NFL contracts. Only time will tell if a one year deal was the right move.
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