Grading the Cowboys’ 11 in-house free agency moves so far
5. Leighton Vander Esch, LB
Grade: C-
Contract: One-year extension worth $2 million with up to $1 million in incentives
Is anyone else surprised to see this guy back? After the Cowboys declined to pick up Vander Esch’s fifth-year option last year, most people thought the reality of the free-agent linebacker returning was slim to none. The front office likely did this because of his injury-plagued career. Now, the linebacker (who was largely overshadowed by Micah Parsons and the rest of the defense) will return.
Apparently, there were several teams that were interested in Vander Esch, which likely prompted Jones to get competitive and say, “no way, he’s mine, even though I didn’t want him last year!” To be fair, the deal isn’t costing the Cowboys much and it does secure defensive depth after the loss of Randy Gregory. But Vander Esch’s play has certainly regressed and there are better linebackers out there. At some point, the price can’t be the only factor in having a person on your roster.
4. Dorance Armstrong, DE
Grade: C
Contract: Two-year extension worth $13 million
If the Joneses are trying to convince us that Dorance Armstrong can fully replace Randy Gregory, they are crazy. While Armstrong has certainly improved, he isn’t strong enough to line up as a competitive starter alongside DeMarcus Lawrence. With most of his work coming on special teams, Armstrong has started a mere eight games during four years with the Cowboys.
He did fill in for many injured defenders throughout the year last year, gathering a total of 5.0 sacks, 37 tackles, and 12 QB hits. That’s simply not enough to get you a starting role.
Cowboys DE Dorance Armstrong on Randy Gregory's departure at starting right defensive end: "There's an open spot. You've got to come in and work for it."
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 23, 2022
Yet again, we find ourselves at an uninspiring depth signing. Will he be able to help fill gaps on the roster? Sure. Can we hope Dan Quinn helps shape him into a strong defender at just 24 years old? Yes. But the reality is that this money could have been used elsewhere, and the team would have fully let this guy walk if Gregory was back.
3. Carlos Watkins, DE
Grade: C+
Contract: One-year extension, monetary details unknown
I thought Carlos Watkins was okay last year for Dallas.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 23, 2022
He was better in the second half of the year, but still someone who should be a depth player instead of a starter. https://t.co/fid4x2muRS
This tweet pretty much says it all. Watkins is okay. If anything, he was remembered for living “every fat guy’s dream” (a quote from Watkins, not us) and scoring a touchdown off a pick in the contest against the New Orleans Saints. Are you getting tired of these lackluster depth signings? Us too.
The + after the C is because this likely won’t cost the Cowboys much. However, yet again, we are staying in-house to keep around average-level talent. Average talent doesn’t win championships.