5 Dallas Cowboys who deserve a contract extension

Antwaun Woods, DT

Defensive tackle Antwaun Woods doesn’t have a contract but he will likely be forced to sign his restricted free agent tender. Woods has arguably been the Dallas Cowboys’ only real option at the one technique spot. The “human log” has done an admirable job of clogging up the middle of the defense but tends to wear down.

That is not a knock on him as he has given Dallas tremendous value at the position. He does need a running mate but Woods should be taken care of by this Dallas front office.

I am on the acquire a big-time one-technique bandwagon but I also think Woods would be even more effective in a smaller role. Deploying a mammoth 1-tech to wear down opponents then plugging in the energetic Woods to finish them off is mouth-watering.

The Dallas Cowboys might slow play Woods like they did last year when he had no choice to sign his restricted free agent tender. Since Woods went undrafted out of USC he is a restricted free agent because he didn’t accrue the seasons needed to become an unrestricted free agent.

This allows the Cowboys to extend a restricted offer sheet that Woods can sign and play or sit out the season. The Cowboys can use that leverage to negotiate a team-friendly deal that keeps Woods in the fold.

I feel like that is a dirty negotiating tactic but one that teams around the league use almost every single offseason. If the Cowboys can come to an agreement on an extension, it keeps Woods in the fold past the 2021 season without having to eat up any 2021 cap space.