The only thing worse than your favorite team not signing the top players you want the most in NFL free agency is watching the teams you hate the most get them.
The Dallas Cowboys have been active already this offseason, as Jerry Jones promised, but the rebuilding project that is the defensive side of the ball is far from over after just the first two days of the legal negotiating period, and it stings to see the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders making smart moves to sign some of the team's top targets.
The Eagles struck a deal with Seahawks free agent cornerback Riq Woolen, who the Cowboys had reportedly looked into signing themselves, and the Commanders agreed to a deal with the ultra-athletic linebacker Leo Chenal at an extremely team-friendly price.
The Dallas Cowboys watched Riq Woolen and Leo Chenal sign with Eagles and Commanders
What's great about the Riq Woolen deal for the Eagles is that they are getting him on a one-year pact worth up to $15 million. So they are getting him for well below market value at the cornerback position, and they'll give him the chance to "prove it" this year in a defense that should really suit his skills well under Vic Fangio.
Leo Chenal is one of the most athletic off-ball linebackers in the NFL, and the only reason why he's not sticking around in Kansas City is that they have to pay the piper after kicking the can down the road for a number of years.
The Chiefs have allowed a mass exodus of some of their best defensive players right out the front door this offseason, including basically their entire starting secondary.
Now, Chenal goes to a defense that will really highlight his skills as an athletic off-ball linebacker who is effective at rushing the passer and makes splash plays on special teams as well.
And as previously stated, his contract is a steal. With Devin Lloyd getting $15 million in AAV from the Panthers and five other players at the position getting at least $11 million AAV, Chenal agreed to a deal with the Commanders at a reported $8.25 million AAV. The three-year deal Chenal signed with the Commanders is worth less than $25 million in total money, and he'll be a good fit with Dan Quinn, as difficult as that is to admit.
It's still just the second wave of free agency at this point, and the Cowboys have already made some strong moves to upgrade on the defensive side of the ball, but after clearing a bunch of cap space and promising to be active in free agency, they need to keep the momentum going and not let their division rivals sign away all of the best fits.