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.
3. Sign RB J.K. Dobbins
We'll always love Ezekiel Elliott, but he's not what the Cowboys need right now. Even at the vet minimum, signing Elliott wouldn't be a smart move. His 3.5 yards per attempt last season with the Patriots ranked dead-last in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. Even Patriots starter Rhamondre Stevenson managed 4.0 yards per clip behind the same offensive line.
That brings us to J.K. Dobbins, who'd be a risky signing in his own right. However, he offers the highest ceiling of the remaining running backs. The Cowboys have a long history of showing faith in players coming off a major injury, and Dobbins fits that bill as he recovers from a torn Achilles.
When healthy, Dobbins is a three-down back. He's averaged 5.8 yards per carry on 234 career attempts. That's a bulky sample size. The Cowboys would obviously need to clear Dobbins medically and draft a RB as insurance, but the Houston, TX native would be a great addition to a currently desolate backfield.
2. Re-sign Stephon Gilmore
A team only has so many premium picks in the NFL Draft. Offensive tackle, linebacker, running back and potentially wide receiver all in contention for Dallas' first four selections. Already saddled with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, it'd be hard for the Cowboys to justify spending another high pick on a cornerback.
Ideally, they would have a recent draft pick ready to step up as CB3, but Nahshon Wright and 2023 sixth-round pick Eric Scott Jr. sadly aren't.
That should make re-signing Stephon Gilmore a priority. Gilmore was solid across the board last season, posting a 72.3 coverage grade and a 76.1 run-defense grade, per PFF. He only allowed a 83.3 passer rating and 54.9& completion rate when targeted Gilly also accumulated 13 passes defended, which were his most since he won Defensive Player of the Year with the Patriots in 2019.
A rotation of Diggs, Gilmore and Bland (in the nickel) would give Dallas the best cornerback trio in the league. Diggs' ACL injury prevented the Cowboys from unleashing that on offense in 2023. It's only right they run it back now that Diggs is healthy.
1. Re-sign LT Tyron Smith
It's about time that the Cowboys draft Tyron Smith's successor, but that shouldn't dissuade them from re-signing the eight-time Pro Bowler. Unsurprisingly, Smith has kept a low-profile to start free agency. The tackle market has been slow-moving relative to the guard position, and teams are likely wary of Smith's injury history and potential lofty contract demands.
Dallas' odds of re-signing Smith skyrocketed on Wednesday after the tackle-needy Jets swung a trade for veteran right tackle Morgan Moses. Given their cap situation, this deal all but takes New York out of the running for Smith's signature.
Don't rule out Dan Quinn's Commanders as a potential suitor for Smith after Washington released starter Charles Leno Jr. Still, the Chiefs feel like the Cowboys' foremost competition for the 33-year-old.
Continuity on an offensive line is incredibly important and Smith's potential departure would leave Dallas down two starting linemen after Tyler Biadasz signed with Washington.
Smith signed a team-friendly eight-year extension back in 2015 and has agreed to countless restructures over the years. It's time the Cowboys do right by Smith and give him a worthwhile, albeit reasonable, contract to ensure he finishes his career in Dallas.
Re-signing Smith should be the next order of business for the Cowboys now that Kendricks has officially signed his contract.