The Dallas Cowboys' wild card loss led to speculation about whether Jerry Jones would make sweeping changes this offseason. Everyone theorized it would start with firing Mike McCarthy as head coach, but McCarthy and most of his staff will be back in 2024.
Jones hasn't ruled out signing McCarthy to a one-year extension. That would do a lot to ease pressure both on McCarthy, who's a lame-duck coach on the final year of his contract, and the players in the locker room.
Regardless of whether Jones makes all-in signings or trades, 2024 is very much a make-or-break year for McCarthy and the Cowboys. With so much riding on the season, Jones could bring back former players that either never should've left to begin with or signed contracts as free agents they otherwise wouldn't have received from the owner.
3. WR Noah Brown
This came down to Noah Brown and Cedrick Wilson. Incredibly, Brown is more established than Wilson at this point in their careers. Wilson burst onto the scene in 2021 with 602 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He filled in admirably for the injured Michael Gallup and became a big-play threat for the offense.
A hot commodity in free agency, Wilson signed a three-year $22.05 million contract with the Dolphins that offseason and disappeared. Over two seasons in Miami, the former Cowboys sixth-round pick has managed 34 catches for 432 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2023 alone (10 games), Brown posted 33 catches for 567 yards and two TDs for the Texans. He stepped up big time in light of the injury to Nico Collins. Injuries derailed what could've been a 1,000-yard season for Brown, who exceeded expectations for Dallas in a prominent role two years ago when the WR corps was in flux.
The 28-year-old could provide a spark to the Cowboys' receiver room yet again. Gallup could get released and 2022 third-round pick Jalen Tolbert isn't an established starter. There isn't much behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.
We'd love to have Browns back as Dallas' WR4 next season. He's a big play waiting to happen and loves getting his nose dirty as a run-blocker.
2. RT La'el Collins
If you were to craft a shortlist of the Cowboys' most disappointing players from 2023, Terence Steele and Michael Gallup would be everyone's pick. Steele experienced significant regression after a breakout 2022 campaign that prompted Dallas to give him a five-year $86.6 million extension with $50 million guaranteed.
Among 55 tackles that played at least 700 snaps, Steele's 45.9 pass-blocking grade was second-worst, per Pro Football Focus. He allowed the third-most pressures (49), second-most quarterback hits (12), sixth-most sacks and eighth-most hurries.
It stands to reason Steele will improve a full season removed from ACL surgery, but Cowboys would be wise to sign La'el Collins as insurance at right tackle.
Collins actually signed to Dallas' practice squad before the 2023 playoffs. It's unclear if he's wanted back, but Collins was overjoyed to return to his old stomping grounds. Perhaps the 30-year-old would give the Cowboys a hometown discount to run it back in 2024. He wouldn't be guaranteed a starting job, but serving as the backup RT and guard could entice the veteran after he didn't play at all last season.
1. C Connor Williams
The Cowboys were hopeful to re-sign Tyler Biadasz and maintain continuity along an offensive line that will likely lose left tackle Tyron Smith. However, it was learned at the NFL Combine that Biadasz will have a robust market in free agency; one that Dallas won't be able to contend with.
With that, the door swung wide open for Dallas to replace Biadasz with a player they let walk two seasons ago. Like Biadasz, the Cowboys would have liked to keep Connor Williams, whom they drafted in the second round back in 2018, but his market was too strong.
After four years starting at left guard for Dallas, Williams inked a two-year, $14 million deal with the Dolphins as a free agent in 2022. Williams became Miami's center and performed at a high level. He was primed to make his first Pro Bowl this year before he suffered a torn ACL nine games in.
The Cowboys will obviously have to check on Williams' rehab, but he could make for a bargain-bin signing in light of the injury. Before going down, Williams' 90.5 run-blocking grade ranked first amongst interior linemen (centers and guards) and his 98.7 blocking efficiency placed fourth, per Pro Football Focus.
If Dallas doesn't see a path to drafting Biadasz replacement, reuniting with Williams would be a savvy piece of business. He's a superior run-blocker to Biadasz and is equal, if not better, in pass protection.