How the Dallas Cowboys score an A+ in free agency
By Tyrone Starr
Cowboys Free Agency – Offense
First and foremost, the Dallas Cowboys need to shore up the quarterback position. I’ve been on record multiple times trumpeting the need to sign Dak Prescott to a long-term deal. If by some insane reason, they fail to do so, then they will use the Exclusive Rights tag to retain Prescott for 2020. This will cost Dallas $33 million.
The Cowboys will need another quarterback, however, as Prescott will need a backup. Given the possibility that Prescott holds out if he is tagged, a veteran capable of starting makes the most sense. My preference would be to bring in journeyman Matt Moore on a one-year, $2 million deal. That brings the total cost of the position to $35 million reducing the budget to $75 million.
Next up, the receiver position. The best-case scenario for the Dallas Cowboys is to get Prescott signed to a long-term deal so they can use the franchise tag on Amari Cooper. If Dak gets the tag though, Cooper needs to be given a deal.
Looking at the most expensive receiver contracts and the production of those receivers, the proper “best offer” for Cooper would be four years for $75 million. Such a deal earns Cooper almost $19 million per year. If Cooper’s camp declines the offer, the Cowboys have the safety net of a deep draft class at the position.
Cooper is not the only free agent receiver that the Dallas Cowboys must retain, however. Regardless of Cooper’s decision, Randall Cobb must be brought back in 2020. His familiarity with new head coach Mike McCarthy along with a possible need for another veteran makes too much sense.
Another one year deal for the same $5 million he received last year should suffice. With a possible $24 million going to these two, the Cowboys still have $51 million to spend.
The Dallas Cowboys will also need to do something about the tight end position. The most shrewd move would be to place a second-round tender on restricted free agent Blake Jarwin. Doing so will either retain his services for one year at $3 million or land Dallas a second-round draft pick. That rounds out the offense and leaves us with $48 million left.