Cowboys top-10 free agent additions under Will McClay’s guidance
By Randy Gurzi
Will McClay has been with the Dallas Cowboys organization since the 2009 season but it was in 2014 that he took a prominent role in the front office. McClay was promoted to Assistant Director of Player Personnel before being named Senior Director of Pro/College Scouting and finally, Vice President of Player Personnel.
McClay is well-respected around the league and the title changes (and raises) usually came about when others tried to poach him for a general manager job. He’s essentially serving in this role for Dallas, while also having to work around the Jones family, which is a full-time job in itself.
That being said, a change of philosophy is evident since his ascension and we take the time now to look at the 10 best free agent additions he’s helped orchestrate since 2014.
Cowboys top-10 free agent additions under Will McClay
10. Joe Thomas, LB, 2018
In 2018, the Cowboys saw both Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith take over the NFL. Vander Esch was a rookie first-round pick who had 140 tackles and two picks as a rookie. He was playing alongside Smith, who finally looked healthy following a devastating knee injury suffered in college.
He had 121 tackles and two forced fumbles, giving Dallas hope that they would be set at the position for years. But that came crashing down in a hurry with Smith falling off a cliff after getting paid and Vander Esch missed seven games due to injury.
Thankfully, a 2018 signing helped them navigate the issues over the next two seasons. Joe Thomas, who came over from the Green Bay Packers, had 33 tackles in 2019 and 48 in 2020. He wasn’t a household name but the defense didn’t lose a step when Thomas was asked to start, which is more than they could have expected when signing him to a modest deal.