The next best free agent move the Dallas Cowboys should make

The Dallas Cowboys have been active in free agency, making some stellar moves to improve the team. Here is the next best move to solidify their offseason.

This offseason has been quite the change of course for the Dallas Cowboys. It remains to be seen how it will all play out, but at least this team is trying something new.

In January, a new head coach was brought in after a decade of disappointment. That change also has created a new philosophy on defense and in special teams. These changes have gone on to shape how the Dallas Cowboys have approached free agency.

The normally frugal Cowboys opened free agency by re-signing receiver Amari Cooper to a five-year deal worth $100 million. Dallas had not splurged like that on a free agent since the days of cornerback Brandon Carr.

The big changes, however, have come on the defensive side of the ball. For years, the Dallas Cowboys have treated the defensive tackle position as an afterthought. They even watched their best one in 2019, Maliek Collins, move on to Las Vegas.

Dallas addressed this departure rapidly. Not only did they since six-time Pro Bowl standout Gerald McCoy, but they also brought in two-time Pro Bowler Dontari Poe. The Cowboys have not had a defensive tackle earn such an honor since Jay Ratliff in 2011.

Dallas has also struggled to address their issues at the safety position. Last year’s starter, Jeff Heath, joined Collins in Las Vegas. No matter. The Cowboys brought in veteran Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to pair with talented but young starter Xavier Woods.

The Cowboys have also brought back all of their linebacker depth, re-signing Sean Lee to a one-year deal worth $4.5 million, as well as Justin March (one-year, $1.04 million and Joe Thomas (terms undisclosed).

At this point, there is just one move left to solidify a great offseason for this team. The Dallas Cowboys need to sign pass rusher Everson Griffen.

Griffen is an expert sack artist. He has posted 5.5 sacks or more in every season since 2012. In five of the last six seasons, he’s finished with eight or more sacks.

He is also extremely durable as he has missed just eight games since 2014. As you would imagine, this has earned Griffen a Pro Bowl nod in four of his last five seasons.

The longer Griffen is on the market, the more likely his price tag will continue to drop. That should not be of concern to the Cowboys, however, as Spotrac shows Dallas still has over $22 million in cap space.

Lastly, it is important to remember that Minnesota did not release Griffen. He actually opted out of a lucrative deal in order to move on from them. While no one knows exactly why he was done with the Vikings, he did have this to say on his Instagram account.

"“While it is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye, I leave Minnesota in the best physical and mental shape I have ever been and have many Pro Bowl seasons to come! Wherever my next stop is, I will always be grateful to and cheering for the Vikings. Thank you all for the love, support and memories.”"

After losing Robert Quinn to the Chicago Bears, bringing in Griffen would be a move reminiscent of Quinn’s addition last season. I think a two-year deal worth $12-14 million would be enough to get Griffen to put ink to paper.

Adding Griffen would allow the Dallas Cowboys to focus on the secondary in the draft and choose the best player available. He would also lessen the dependency on Randy Gregory, allowing him to ease back into a specialized role.

A move like this would be the final piece to a very impressive free agency period. It would also continue to prove that things truly are changing when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys.