With another game in the books, it's time to check back in with Dallas' 2027 free agents. After a lackluster Week 1 for everyone involved, did Sunday's win over the Commanders allow certain Cowboys to start building momentum toward an important offseason?
Dee Winters stood alone among Dallas' standouts
Despite missing a few series with a shoulder injury, Winters had nine tackles to tie for the team lead with Caleb Downs. He also swooped in to recover the fumble caused by Jaishawn Barham, arguably the back-breaker in the Cowboys' eventual lopsided victory.
It was an up week for Winters, who looked as hapless against the Giants as any of the Cowboys' defenders. With Overshown now missing again, Winters is vital to stabilizing the middle of the field. Though rookie Jaishawn Barham has the green dot, Winters is the experienced veteran and has to at least hold down his assignments. This last game was a positive step for him.
Another quiet week (relatively) for George Pickens
The Cowboys' marquee free agent in 2027 will be franchised WR George Pickens, and 2026 isn't going his way so far. While CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson each caught two touchdowns, and Lamb shined with 153 yards, Pickens turned in just 40 yards on six catches.
Sure, that was better than the three catches for 28 yards that Pickens had in New York. But at this current pace, he would finished 2026 with just around 77 catches and 578 yards. That's a stat line we might expect from Ryan Flournoy this year, not one of the supposed elite receivers in the NFL.
Dallas' offense is a "pick your poison" dilemma for oppoing defenses, and this week it seems that Dan Quinn focused on shutting Pickens down. Maybe Lamb's big game will open things up for him in Week 3.
If the production doesn't pick up soon, with many millions of dollars at stake this spring, you have to wonder how long the "kumbaya" culture on Dallas' offense will hold. Pickens has said and done the right thngs since he got here, but increased pressure will test him like never before.
Cowboys' free agents have continued trouble in the trenches
Running and stopping the run have been problematic for two weeks. On offense, T.J. Bass is doing a serviceable job in Tyler Smith's place but it's obviously not the same. It's validating that argument that Bass is a high-end backup but may not be a great starting option, which will limit his market next spring.
The defensive line is having an even worse start to the year. Washington just ripped them for 182 yards, and week after the Giants exerted their will on the ground. Even if you take Jayden Daniels' 69 yards out of it, the Commanders' back combined for 110 yards on 24 carries.
While Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark are taking the most blame, and rightly so, Otito Ogbonnia and Jonathan Bullard certainly aren't helping. These veterans were brought in specifically for their supposed prowess against the run. So far, nobody who plays for Christian Parker's group is helping in that regard.
Add us as a preferred source on Google