A simple reading of the tea leaves suggests the Dallas Cowboys are done making big splashes this offseason.
The media might be pushing Dalvin Cook and DeAndre Hopkins to Dallas, but the Cowboys' braintrust, including Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy made it clear they aren't pursuing the coveted free agents.
That said, the Cowboys shouldn't turn their nose up at signing other players. While most of the roster's starters for 2023 are locked in, they have over $20 million in cap space and could use depth and experience at certain positions.
With that in mind, here are three available free agents who could immediately start at their respective positions for the Cowboys in 2023.
3. Rashaan Evans, LB
This might cause get arise out of Cowboys fans, but Evans would slot in perfectly next to Leighton Vander Esch. That's no knock on Damone Clark, who'd still get plenty of snaps as the third linebacker behind the two veterans. In a perfect world, he'd end up playing more snaps than Evans.
Unfortunately for Evans, the Falcons didn't make seismic changes to their defensive personnel until this offseason. A move to the Cowboys' loaded defense -- specifically their front seven -- could be just what the doctor ordered for Evans, who was a worthy first round pick of the Titans back in 2018 out of Alabama.
Evans is a strong athlete with a relatively clean injury history. He only has one season in which he appeared in less than 13 games and is coming off the most productive year of his career, posting 159 tackles, four passes defended, 46 defensive stops, six tackles for loss and two sacks.
The Cowboys aren't crying out for help at linebacker, but they could use another veteran presence to lessen the burden on Clark and rookie DeMarvion Overshown. Evans checks that box, and best of all is he wouldn't hinder the development of Dallas' young linebackers.
2. Dalton Risner, OL
When healthy, Risner likely wouldn't start on Dallas' offensive line. However, the team has real questions about who will open the season at left guard.
Tyler Smith feels like the frontrunner, but that could hinge on Terence Steele's rehab from ACL surgery. If Steele isn't healthy, Tyler Smith could slide over to left tackle with the elder statesman Tyron Smith, the current favorite to start at left tackle, shifting to right tackle.
That would create a gaping hole at left guard, as the Cowboys surely don't want to start Chuma Edoga, rookie Asim Richards or Matt Farniok.
Risner, meanwhile, has started 62 games at left guard in his four-year career. He'd cost something around $7-10 million, but it'd be a worthwhile investment.
Last season, Risner posted a 72.6 pass-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. He allowed 26 pressures, six QB hits and just three sacks. Behind kicker, a veteran interior linemen is Dallas' biggest need before training camp.
1. Robbie Gould, K
While Tristan Vizcaino was accurate and efficient at OTAs and minicamp, nobody expects him to enter training camp as the only kicker on the roster. That's where things stand currently, however, meaning the Cowboys have a huge need for an established presence at kicker.
Re-signing Brett Maher seemed like a given until the playoffs, when he set an NFL record with four missed extra points against the Buccaneers.
With Maher out of the equation, Gould feels like an obvious target. His leg strength might be dissipating, he's still as accurate as any kicker in the game. In fact, Gould is the eighth-most accurate field goal kicker in league history and has never missed a kick (field goal or extra point) in his postseason career.
While Maher provided stability at the position during the regular season, Dallas would reap the benefits of Gould's accuracy come playoff time. The Cowboys got lucky they blew the doors off Tampa Bay or else Maher's meltdown would have been an even bigger storyline.
Gould wouldn't be a splash signing and his lack of leg strength would limit the offense's scoring potential, but he's exactly what this team needs.