Free agency has finally arrived after months of speculation. Arguably the most exciting part of the NFL's offseason calendar, the Dallas Cowboys have seldom played a big part in the frenzy under de facto general manager Jerry Jones.
However, roster holes might force Jones and the Cowboys to spend this year. With a laundry list of free agents, Dallas has needs at left tackle, center, running back, receiver, defensive tackle, cornerback and even edge rusher.
It could (or should) be the Cowboys' most active free agency in recent memory. It's not so much a rousing time for certain players on the roster, however. With that, here are four Dallas players squarely on the hot seat now that the team is permitted to negotiate with free agents.
4. RB Deuce Vaughn
We hate to pose the question, but could Deuce Vaughn be off the Cowboys roster entirely come preseason? It's certainly in the cards. For now, though, Vaughn is the only running back under contract that logged any carries in 2023.
As we know, Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle are free agents. Given their expected affordable prices, Dallas could bring both players back. That would thrust Vaughn back to the RB3 role, but Malik Davis is still around to provide competition during training camp. Not to mention, Hunter Luepke could see an uptick in goal-line carries after Pollard struggled mightily in that area last season
As a rookie, Vaughn averaged a paltry 1.7 yards per carry. He posted 1.52 yards after contact per rush and finished with a 40.9 rushing grade, per Pro Football Focus.
With the Cowboys widely expected to draft a running back next month. Vaughn could face a steep climb to make the 53-man roster, let alone carve out a role on the offense. What Dallas does in free agency could determine Vaughn's NFL future.
3. WR Jalen Tolbert
By the time this is published, the Cowboys might have already released (or traded) Michael Gallup. The former is far more likely, however, as no team would be crazy enough to inherit Gallup's contract when they could sign him for a fraction of the price once he's released.
Either way, Gallup's inevitable departure could thrust Jalen Tolbert in to the spotlight. The WR3 position would be there for the taking. As Dallas roster is presently constituted, Tolbert is the presumptive favorite to win the job. But what exactly has he done to warrant being WR?
While Tolbert made some big plays in 2023, he finished the year with 22 catches for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Granted, he played behind Michael Gallup for the first eight or so games, but does that scream WR3 production to you?
Tolbert finished near the bottom of the league in separation rate and only managed 1.3 yards after the catch per reception. It's unclear how high the Cowboys are on Tolbert, but wide receiver will be a glaring need once Gallup departs. It wouldn't surprise us if Dallas takes a look at the second-tier free agent receivers.
2. DT Mazi Smith
Honest question: Will the Cowboys sign a defensive tackle? At some point Stephen Jones will proclaim that Mazi Smith's second-year leap will lead to a better run defense. Banking on Smith to make that jump after he made a nominal impact as a rookie would be incredibly shortsighted.
That's actually on par with this front office, but we digress.
Even the Joneses have to recognize the personnel at defensive tackle is nowhere near good enough. Osa Odighizuwa is a stud, but he's more adept to rushing the quarterback than clogging up the run game. Meanwhile, Johnathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore are free agents.
The Cowboys need to get Smith back to his Michigan playing weight and position. They converted him to a three-tech DT and it stunted his development. Hopefully, Mike Zimmer sees the light in that regard because Smith's 34.9 run-defense grade was the lowest of any Dallas defender.
Regardless, with all of Cowboys Nation clamoring for a big-ticket DT signing and Dallas to spend a relatively high draft pick on a nose tackle, Smith's seat is scalding hot as free agency kicks off.
1. LB Damone Clark
Linebacker is the one position Cowboys fans can seemingly trust the front office to spend on. Whether they spend big or go cheap remains to be seen (the latter seems more likely), but not even the penny-pinching Joneses can justify not signing a veteran linebacker.
That's bad news for Damone Clark, who didn't make the sophomore leap that was expected of him after a promising rookie year in 2022. It's possible Dallas has three new players in the linebacker room next season: a potential FA signing, a potential 2024 draft pick and DeMarvion Overshown, who missed the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL suffered in preseason.
Clark will still be part of the rotation, but his role could diminish if his play doesn't improve. This season, the 2022 fifth-round pick got tricked by motion and plugged the wrong gap against the run on far too many occasions. He'll benefit from improved play in the trenches, but no Cowboys player's seat is hotter than Clarks as the free agent frenzy gets underway.