A realistic look ahead to the Dallas Cowboys’ free agency
By Tyrone Starr
Defensively, I expect Dallas to focus largely on their in-house free agents, notably defensive end Randy Gregory and safeties Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker.
Getting Gregory back will likely be the most difficult of these options. We all know his history and the several chances this team has afforded him to work through his personal issues, which he rightfully deserved. That being said, it’s not often that a player of his skill set hits the open market before turning 30.
This also represents the one and only shot Gregory will have at a monster payday. NFL teams throw money at dudes who can make the opposing quarterback have a long day and Gregory can do just that.
If he walks, Dallas MUST use a top-100 pick on an edge rusher. They will also need to throw some depth/talent at the void that would create as well. Dallas would be wise to offer two deals: one to a guy with a history of getting after the quarterback like Jason Pierre-Paul and another to a potential young pass rusher like Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
Give JPP a one-year deal worth around $6M and Okoronkwo a three-year deal worth $10-11M total, and see if those two, along with a rookie, can make up for the likely loss of Gregory.
On the back end, I have Kearse as the second most important in-house free agent that Dallas should focus on. PFF is projecting his next contract to be around three years and $15 million with $8.25M guaranteed and I would do that in a heartbeat.
Lastly, if the Cowboys are to make a big splash, the most sensical maneuver would be to bring former Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner back into a Dan Quinn defense. Pairing him with Micah Parsons could be electric and would shore up the Cowboys’ need at linebacker.
Will teams throw big money at the soon-to-be 32-year-old future Hall of Fame linebacker? If so, Dallas has to let that pipe dream go immediately. If, however, Wagner wants something a little fairer, I’d be willing to go two years and $20M, with the first year fully guaranteed and the second year voidable to see what he has left in the tank.
Ultimately, if you’re thinking the Dallas Cowboys are going to make big moves, you should definitely reconsider that notion. Dallas does not have a ton of money to spend and will likely sit out while others do so. The names I’ve provided instead are the types of guys that the Cowboys will likely go after. Regardless, this is one of the more fun weeks of the offseason. Hopefully, you as a fan to get have some stake in that joy.
