Potential good and bad moves for Cowboys in 2023 offseason

The Dallas Cowboys’ history when you look at some of their recent moves or lack thereof at times has been frustrating.

Whether it’s owner Jerry Jones stirring the pot in the media about the potential to make moves to better the team or VP of Player Personnel Stephen Jones pointing to managing the salary cap they’ve somehow been effective at fielding teams that are seen as contenders almost every season.

With 2023 shaping up to be another offseason the Cowboys ownership hype up the potential success they will need to do a few things to build on their 2022 success.

But before we take a look at some of the good moves and bad moves this team could potentially make this offseason, let’s take a look at some of the past moves that proved to be helpful and harmful to the team in 2022.

Good Cowboys moves in 2022 offseason

Cutting La’el Collins

This move proved to work out well for the Cowboys as Collins would go on to have a poor season that came to an end after he suffered a major knee injury. While the Bengals dealt with the poor play from Collins they were rewarded with the play from Terence Steele who continued to progress before his season-ending knee injury.

Tagging Dalton Schultz

The move worked out well in two ways for the Cowboys regarding Schultz, they got another strong season from him on the field. He also helped to mentor both Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, rookies who under his tutelage have become nice pieces for the Cowboys in the future.

Bringing Back Leighton Vander Esch

Leighton Vander Esch did a great job for the Cowboys this season in both the running game and passing game with the only drawback being his neck/shoulder injury late in the season. Outside of that, he was the Cowboys’ best run-stopping linebacker in 2022.

Bad Cowboys moves in 2022 offseason

Trading Amari Cooper

This is by far the worst move the Cowboys made in the 2022 offseason, trading away your best receiver for a fifth-round pick. That pick turned into Matt Waletzko for the Cowboys while Cooper went on to record another 1,000-yard season even with poor quarterback play.

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Paying Michael Gallup

It’s one thing to pay a receiver that has produced at a high level for an entire season, it’s another to pay a receiver that hasn’t been able to stay healthy or give you consistent play on the field. The Cowboys’ decision to get rid of Cooper and pay Gallup left the Cowboys with eggs on their face in 2022.

Now let’s move on to what good moves and bad moves the Cowboys.

Potential good Cowboys moves in 2023 offseason

Letting Schultz Walk

While tagging Schultz last season worked out well for the Cowboys heading into 2023 the Cowboys’ stance may have changed drastically. Tagging Schultz again would increase and the money he could be offered on the open market will certainly rise as well. Luckily the additions and on-the-field production from both Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot give Dallas the ability to move on from Schultz and pick up a high compensatory pick in 2024.

Trading for Michael Thomas

The Cowboys have been linked to quite a few wide receivers as we start the offseason and while DeAndre Hopkins seems to be the fan favorite, another receiver might be just as good of a pickup for Dallas. That receiver is Michael Thomas, who over the last few seasons has been in a love/hate relationship with the Saints. Dallas could trade for Thomas who is still one of the top receivers in the league when he steps on the field giving them a strong duo when paired with CeeDee Lamb.

Paying Terence Steele

If the Cowboys learned anything after Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott’s contract fiascos it’s that they need to start contract talks earlier in order to get ahead of teams who eventually overpay players. Steele has done a very good job for the Cowboys at right tackle and if the Cowboys are smart they lock him up sooner rather than later to avoid losing him much like they did with Randy Gregory.

Paying Tony Pollard

Pollard showed just how much the Dallas offense needs him on the field compared to Elliott whose production has dropped. With the 2023 running back class being so strong and the market in free agency not looking as prosperous, it would be in the Cowboys’ best interest to get Pollard under contract now instead of waiting it out and franchise-tagging him.

Potential bad Cowboys moves in 2023 offseason

Renegotiate Zeke’s Contract

As admirable as it is to stick by the players you’ve drafted there is a point when you need to move on for the betterment of the team. Elliott is one such player who the Cowboys affinity may cloud their judgment and lead them to renegotiate his contract and keep him on the team. Doing that would only hinder the Cowboys by allowing Elliott to take snaps away from more productive players the Cowboys could have on the roster in 2023.

Waiting To Draft Receiver

In the 2022 draft, the Cowboys elected to wait and take a wide receiver in the third round, unfortunately, Jalen Tolbert proved to be a non-factor in 2022 for Dallas. This season the receiver draft class isn’t as loaded as it has been in the past and if Dallas wants a good one they will need to take one in the first or second round instead of waiting around and hoping for the best or sifting through the undrafted free agents like they normally do.

Keeping Draft Position in 2023

Lately, the Cowboys have been of the mind that they will let the draft come to them, whether it be a team looking to trade up or a player falling to them. This time around if they want to better this roster they need to be more aggressive in the draft and try to move up to make sure they get the player they really want at a position they feel it’s really needed.

Not Spending Money In Free Agency

The time has come for the Cowboys’ front office to open up their wallet and start spending money in free agency in 2023. Teams over the last few years have been quite successful if they were aggressive in free agency. If Dallas wants to get better they need to sign better players instead of bargain shopping or risk being stuck where they are for the foreseeable future.

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