The Dallas Cowboys promised they would be selectively aggressive in free agency. So far they have only been selective while dozens of other NFC teams, including Dan Quinn's Commanders, push the envelope to get better.
With such a big free agency class, Dallas was bound to lose players. It is of the utmost importance that they offset at least some of those losses by signing free agents. The failed to do that last offseason and it blew up in their face. This year has a similar feel.
While Chauncey Golston signing with the Giants is a tough blow to the defense, Jourdan Lewis is by far the biggest loss the Cowboys have endured thus far.
The Cowboys need to sign a cornerback ASAP because the already-thin market is dwindling fast. Unfortunately, they let another get away in the form of former Packers starter Eric Stokes, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Raiders.
Cowboys should have signed Eric Stokes to after losing Jourdan Lewis
Lewis got a deserved pay day from the Jaguars following a career season, agreeing to a three-year, $30 million contract that makes him the highest-paid nickel cornerback in football. It's a lofty contract for an aging cornerback who has been injured here and there, but an overdue one nonetheless for one of the most underrated players in the league.
While Dallas was squarely in the mix to re-sign Lewis, they were never going to top Jacksonville's offer. Stokes' contract, though, aligns with the deals Dallas has handed out thus far.
They have signed former Broncos running back Javonte Williams to a one-year deal with a max value of $3.5 million. They gave former Dolphins guard Robert Jones a one-year, $4.75 million deal. Veteran defensive lineman Solomon Thomas can make a max of $8 million on the two-year deal he signed.
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Injuries have hindered Stokes' career after a banner rookie year, but he is still just 26 years old and managed to play all 17 games last season. He is also one of the most athletic CBs in the league (he posted a 9.35 relative athletic score at the 2021 combine).
Stokes is fresh off allowing just a 61.1% completion rate on 394 coverage snaps, per PFF. He was responsible for three touchdowns and missed just three tackles all season on 37 attempts. He's played primarily on the outside in his career, but Dallas simply needs bodies at the position.
On top of losing Lewis, Trevon Diggs and Josh Butler could most of the season after undergoing knee surgery and 2024 fifth-round pick Caelen Carson has to overcome a season-ending shoulder injury and a poor debut season in general.
It's important to note that there are other CBs left on the market. Missing out on Stokes is not the end of the world. However, his price range, age and first-round billing are typically what the Cowboys seek out in their external free-agent targets.
This was a missed opportunity to stop the bleeding at cornerback.