Cowboys 2022 free agent tracker: Who’s coming and going in Dallas
**Please note this article will be updated repeatedly throughout free agency. A list/summary of all free agents is below and the cuts/trades/signings are categorized at the very bottom**
The Dallas Cowboys had an incredibly disappointing end to their 2021-22 season. In a year where it truly felt like the roster was full of stars of all ages, America’s Team couldn’t even make it past Super Wild Card Weekend. From coaches to players, it’s likely that a lot of changes will be made this offseason.
Dallas has 24 players set to hit free agency, and some of them are big-name guys like Michael Gallup and Randy Gregory. Unfortunately for America’s Team, they entered the offseason with the third-worst amount of cap space in the entire league. In February, the Cowboys were more than $21 million over the cap. As they always do, the team will find a way to break even, but that may mean the departure of many players that Cowboys Nation loves.
Free agency comes with swirling rumors and a lot to keep track of. That’s why we made this tracker. We will consistently update this page to see where different players sign starting in March. Below is a list of all of the 2022 Cowboys free agents.
Stephen Jones: “There is no question we’re going to have our challenges with the salary cap. I don’t see major acquisitions by and thru free agency. … We just feel like (the best way to build a team is) through the draft and to pay your homegrown talent.” https://t.co/y1ucR8uD9Y
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 21, 2022
Who are the Cowboys 2022 unrestricted free agents?
Michael Gallup, WR
Although he spent much of the year on the IR, there is no denying that Gallup is an acrobatic and athletic WR who has a promising future in the NFL. Because of this, he is expected to get a contract of about $48 million for four years. With the cap space struggle, Jones will have to make some big adjustments to keep this key part of the Cowboys’ WR trio.
Leighton Vander Esch, LB
After a stellar rookie season that got him a Pro Bowl selection, Vander Esch has yet to get back to that level of play. Injuries have plagued the fourth-year player throughout his career. Although he did have some key game-changing plays this season, he was pretty quiet and overshadowed by rookie Micah Parsons.
Randy Gregory, DE
Despite many years of off-the-field issues, Gregory had a fantastic year. Even though he had to battle some injuries, he was a staple in the phenomenal turnaround from the Dallas defense. In just 12 games, he had six sacks, his first interception, 17 QB hits, and four tackles for loss. He will have a big price tag, but the Cowboys’ defense would be very different without him.
Connor Williams, G
The former Longhorn has had a very off-and-on year. He got benched and replaced by Connor McGovern during the middle of the season for getting called for too many penalties. When he returned, he remained penalty-free for a while but was back to his holding ways in the Wild Card game. Expect this guy to land somewhere else for a large paycheck.
Dalton Schultz, TE
Schultz went from a non-starter to having a stellar 2021 season. When Blake Jarwin hit the IR early with a hip injury, Schultz stepped up and became a consistent target for Prescott, landing him with a career-high eight touchdowns. Although Cowboys Nation would love to see him back, the tight end earned himself a high paycheck that Jones might not be able to afford.
Cedrick Wilson, WR
Cedrick Wilson went from a backup to a key player several times throughout this season. When Michael Gallup went down early in the season, Wilson was there. When Gallup tore his ACL in Week 17, Wilson was there. This young gun has shown he has a promising career ahead of him.
Carlos Watkins, DE
The former Houston Texan played 15 games for the Cowboys. He hit viral fame for his big-man pick-six in a game against the New Orleans Saints. He ended the year with an interception, a touchdown, a fumble recovery, 17 solo tackles, and five tackles for loss.
Keanu Neal, S
Keanu Neal joined DC Dan Quinn in departing the Atlanta Falcons to play for Dallas. The safety struggled with both ending up on the COVID-19 list twice and dealing with injuries. He wasn’t even able to play in the Cowboys’ Wild Card game. Neal had one sack, 44 solo tackles, four tackles for loss, and two QB hits on the season.
Damontae Kazee, S
Kazee is another player who followed Quinn to Dallas. He played in 17 games this year and simply wasn’t the best safety on the team. He also had a few off-the-field issues that may keep Dallas from re-signing him.
Jayron Kearse, S
Kearse had a strong year for Dallas. In 16 games, he had two interceptions, one fumble recovery, 67 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, and six QB hits. Given he will likely have a lower price tag than other guys the Cowboys want to keep, we hope Jones will be able to re-sign him.
Bryan Anger, P
This was the guy you could trust when kicking the football (looking at you, Zuerlein). The 33-year-old punter ranked in the Top 6 in the NFL for average yards per punt. He isn’t young, but he was reliable.
Dorance Armstrong, DE
Armstrong was one of many Cowboys to find the end zone this year. The fourth-year Cowboy also had 12 QB hits and three tackles for loss.
Corey Clement, RB
Corey Clement was the third option for the Cowboys at running back behind Ezekiel Eliott and Tony Pollard. After spending four seasons with the Eagles, he had 140 yards and 29 receiving yards for Dallas.
Malik Hooker, S
Yet another Cowboys safety to hit free agency. Hooker was definitely better than Kazee but wasn’t necessarily better than Kearse. Hooker ended the year with an interception, 30 solo tackles, and one tackle for loss. His lower market value is probably his biggest advantage to staying in Dallas.
Malik Turner, WR
If the Cowboys are going to prioritize any WR who isn’t Michael Gallup, it should be Cedrick Wilson. Although he was buried behind a stacked WR roster, Turner still played his part and had three touchdowns on the year.
Brent Urban, DE
The Virginia product has landed with many teams throughout the league. This year, he only played in six games for Dallas thanks to spending the bulk of the season on the IR.
Ty Nsekhe, RT
This tackle has gone from the former St. Louis Rams to Washington to Buffalo to the Cowboys. He participated in 12 games this season but didn’t make much of an impact during his one-year contract with Dallas.
Maurice Canady, CB
Canady is another guy who has hopped around the league. He only made an appearance in eight games and had six combined tackles.
Noah Brown, WR
The Ohio State product only played in 13 games this season, due to hitting the IR with a groin injury in December. He had 16 receptions for 184 yards. Given the amount of WR talent hitting free agency, it’s hard to imagine Jones prioritizing Brown.
Jake McQuaide, Long Snapper
McQuaide is a two-time Pro Bowler who replaced a long-standing figure in the organization. The Cowboys decided to finally replace L.P. Ladouceur after sixteen years of holding the starting position.
Darian Thompson, S
Thompson spent most of his season on the practice squad but did play in five games for the Cowboys. Most of his snaps were on special teams and he had three solo tackles.
Who are the Cowboys 2022 Restricted Free Agents?
Luke Gifford, LB
Gifford is a guy who had a lot of hype when joining the team in 2019 but has struggled to fight for his spot on the roster with a strong group of linebackers. Injuries haven’t helped his career, but he is a young guy who could improve if given snaps elsewhere.
Who are the Cowboys 2022 Exclusive Rights Free Agents?
An Exclusive Rights Free Agent is for players who have had fewer than three years in the NFL. The Cowboys can offer a one-year deal at the league minimum rate to keep these players.
Francis Bernard, LB
Bernard mostly played on special teams this year, but his games were limited due to COVID and a preseason hamstring injury. Bernard is very young so he could bring longevity to another organization.
Mitch Hyatt, OT
Hyatt joined the Cowboys in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. A torn ACL ended his 2020 season and another injury in the preseason ended his 2021 season before it even began. Not much to say about a guy who hasn’t seen the turg in two seasons.
So… now that you know them all. Who is staying and who is going?
2022 Free Agents re-signed by the Cowboys:
This will be continually updated throughout the offseason.
Dalton Schultz: On Tuesday, March 8, the Cowboys revealed that they will be putting the tight end on the franchise tag for $10.9 million.
Jayron Kearse: On Monday, March 21, the Cowboys re-signed safety Jayron Kearse to a two-year deal worth $10 million.
Noah Brown: On Tuesday, March 8, the Cowboys revealed they would be signing the wide receiver to a one-year extension.
Jake McQuaide: On Monday, March 14, the Cowboys signed the long snapper to a one-year extension on the minimum salary amount.
Malik Hooker: On Tuesday, March 15, the Cowboys signed safety Malik Hooker to a two-year, $8 million deal.
Leighton Vander Esch: On Friday, March 18, the Dallas Cowboys re-signed the linebacker to a one-year deal that can max out at $3 million.
Dorance Armstrong: On Thursday, March 17, the Cowboys re-signed the defensive end to a two-year deal worth $13 million
Luke Gifford: On Friday, March 18, the Cowboys re-signed the backup linebacker and special teams player to a one-year extension.
Bryan Anger: On Tuesday, March 22, the Cowboys re-signed punter Bryan Anger to a three-year deal worth $9 million.
Carlos Watkins: On Wednesday, March 23, the Cowboys re-signed the defensive lineman to another one-year deal.
Jeremy Sprinkle: On Wednesday, March 23, the veteran TE officially signed a one-year extension with the Cowboys.
2022 Cowboys Free Agents signed by other teams:
This will be continually updated throughout the offseason.
Cedrick Wilson: On Monday, March 14, the Miami Dolphins reportedly signed Wilson to a three-year, $22.8 million deal with $12.75 million guaranteed.
Connor Williams: On Tuesday, March 15, the Miami Dolphins reportedly signed Williams to a two-year, $14 million contract with $7.5 million guaranteed.
Randy Gregory: In the craziest debacle of the offseason, just 90 minutes after reportedly signing with Dallas, Gregory reversed course and signed with the Denver Broncos. Ian Rapoport said that Dallas tried to tinker with the contract language and Gregory backed out. The deal is for five years and worth $70 million.
Keanu Neal: On Wednesday, April 6th, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up Keanu Neal after the converted linebacker decided he wanted to go back to playing safety after the 2021 season.
Malik Turner: On Monday, April 11, wide receiver Malik Turner was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract.
2022 Cowboys trades/cuts/releases:
This will be continually updated throughout the offseason.
Amari Cooper: On Saturday, March 12, the Cowboys reportedly agreed to trade Amari Cooper and a fifth-round pick to Cleveland for a 2022 fifth and sixth-round pick.
Greg Zuerlein: On Friday, March 11, the Cowboys released kicker Greg Zuerlein, saving the team over $2 million.
Blake Jarwin: On Friday, March 11, the Cowboys released injured tight end Blake Jarwin, saving the team almost $4 million.
Ito Smith: On Friday, March 11, the Cowboys released the running back.
Reggie Robinson: On Friday, March 11, the Cowboys released the defensive end.
Robert Foster: On Friday, March 11, the Cowboys released the wide receiver.
La’el Collins: On Thursday, March 17, the Cowboys decided to release the offensive tackle as a post-June 1 cut. He will become a free agent when the cut is official. Collins eventually agreed to a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
2022 Cowboys re-signs/restructures:
This will be continually updated throughout the offseason.
DeMarcus Lawrence: On Monday, March 14, the Cowboys reportedly signed Lawrence to a three-year, $40 million extension with $30 million guaranteed. That makes him the ONLY defensive end in NFL history to have seven straight years of his salary fully guaranteed.
Jeremy Sprinkle: On Tuesday, March 15, the Cowboys signed the tight end to a one-year veteran salary benefit deal to help the tight end depth.
2022 Cowboys external signs:
Dante Fowler Jr: On Friday, March 18, the Cowboys signed former Atlanta Falcons DE Dante Fowler to a one-year deal to reunite with Dan Quinn.
James Washington: On Friday, March 18, the Cowboys signed former Pittsburgh Steelers WR James Washington to a one-year deal.
Ryan Nall: On Friday, April 8, the Cowboys signed former Chicago Bears RB Ryan Nall to a one-year deal.
