8 attractive free agents for Cowboys after Jerry Jones' 'all-in' promise
The Dallas Cowboys front office has seen all of the criticism following the horrifying playoff loss against the Green Bay Packers. In response to that criticism, owner Jerry Jones has come out and said that he isn't looking to rebuild in 2024, and is instead looking to go "all-in" for the 2024 season.
What that means exactly remains unclear. They could go all-in and sign their free agents or it could mean going out and spending money on outside free agents.
The Cowboys are currently over the cap and will need to hit some triggers in some of the current contracts they have with players like Trevon Diggs, Zack Martin, and Terence Steele. There's also the possibility of giving a new contract to quarterback Dak Prescott which would enhance their cap space dramatically and give the front office more options in free agency.
With that in mind, here are several impending free agents outside the organization who'd qualify as "all-in" signings.
Defensive Tackle
Grover Stewart - Indianapolis Colts
PFF Overall Grade: 21st out of 130 Defensive Tackles
The Cowboys tried to get themselves a run stuffing defensive tackle in the draft taking Mazi Smith in the first round but that blew up in their faces they also have Johnathan Hankins hitting free agency. Smith's inability to get off the ball on time and his weight issues will lead the team to go back to the drawing board, this time signing another big-bodied run stuffer to go along with resigning Hankins. A perfect fit would be Stewart who during his time in Indianapolis has been their best run-defending defensive tackle.
With Stewart on the field, the Colts were one of the better teams at stopping opposing rushing attacks compared to when he was out, and the team ranked dead last. He has the ability to eat up double teams and free up linebackers to make plays, but he also has the power to shed blockers to make plays himself if out in one-on-one situations. Pairing him with Hankins would be a running back's worst nightmare and give the Cowboys two solid run defenders that would give any offensive line issues.
Leonard Williams - Seattle Seahawks
PFF Overall Grade: 22nd out of 130 Defensive Tackles
Sometimes it's best to look inside your division to find players to that can help you, and while Williams was shipped out of the division mid-season the Cowboys know him very well and know just how effective he can be in stopping the run having faced him for years in New York. The addition of Williams to this defensive front would give the Cowboys a run stopping defensive tackle that has also shown an ability to play on passing downs with effective pressure up the middle. That ability to create pressure on passing downs would give the Cowboys the ability to keep a run defender on the field with Osa Odighizuwa and force offenses to account for each of them and open up more lanes for Micah Parson's and DeMarcus Lawrence to rush on the outside and in on stunts.
Williams's asking price might be high but if you are truly going all in and you're bringing back Hankins on a smaller deal, you should have the opportunity to get Williams and give them a lot more versatility in the middle of their defensive line.