4 great free agents the Cowboys could've signed but didn't

2. Willie Gay, Jr., LB

The one — and only — position where Dallas landed an outside free agent is at linebacker, which is at least something. They were even able to get Eric Kendricks to back out of an agreement with the San Francisco 49ers, which is the first time they actually beat San Francisco at something.

Kendricks is 32 years old but still had a great campaign in 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished with 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and had six pass defenses. He was even ranked 25th at the position according to PFF. Throw in the fact that he worked under Mike Zimmer, the new defensive coordinator, and it's another plus move.

The problem is that Dallas already needed more depth at linebacker before losing Leighton Vander Esch to retirement. As their roster is currently constructed, Kendricks, Damone Clark, and DeMarvion Overshown are the starters. Clark was decent in 2023 but Overshown has yet to play at all. Perhaps they keep Markquese Bell in the hybrid linebacker role but he's a natural safety and remains a problem in the run game given his 205-pound frame.

Dallas could have addressed this with several linebackers including Willie Gay, Jr. who wound up with the New Orleans Saints. Gay was a starter for the Chiefs and had 233 tackles, five sacks, and four interceptions in four seasons. At 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds he offers more size and putting him out there with Kendricks and Clark would have led to a far superior run defense.