4 moves Cowboys can make after signing Eric Kendricks to salvage dormant free agency

The Dallas Cowboys finally got on the board in free agency Wednesday night when they stole linebacker Eric Kendricks from under a rival's nose. Kendricks had agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the 49ers, but the agreement was never official.

Mike Zimmer worked around the clock on Wednesday to recruit Kendricks to the Cowboys before he was lost for good.

A former star on Zimmer's Vikings defenses, Kendricks reportedly preferred to play in Dallas relative to San Francisco. Zimmer wanted Kendricks to help run his defense and the two are seemingly still on good terms from their days in Minnesota.

This was a heck of a way for the Cowboys to announce their arrival to free agency. Dormant for most of the first three days of the frenzy, though, they can't rest on their laurels after stealing Kendricks from the 49ers. With that in mind, here are four more moves Dallas can make to salvage free agency before it's too late.

4. Sign DE Carl Lawson

The Cowboys have a big-time need at edge rusher after Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler reunited with Dan Quinn on the Commanders. Both players are replaceable, but that'll be easier said than done given their production over the last two seasons.

Carl Lawson can't be expected to replicate the production of Armstrong and Fowler, but signing him would be a good start. Lawson had a turbulent tenure with the Jets. Unfortunately, his first season after inking a big-money contract was upended by a torn Achilles.

The 28-year-old bounced back in a big way in 2022. In just 58% of the snaps, Lawson logged seven sacks, 49 pressures, nine tackles for loss, 24 QB hits and a 72.8 pass-rush grade, per Pro Football Focus. He also managed 19 defensive stops against the run, so he's not a one-dimensional player.

Lawson fell out of favor in New York last season as the team prioritized young pass rushers John Franklin-Myers, Bryce Huff and Michael Clemons. Even veteran Quinton Jefferson got more run than Lawson, who's undoubtedly hungry to prove himself after a rocky stint in East Rutherford.

Given his talent and expected low price tag, Lawson could be one of the biggest bargains in this free agency cycle.